Gallup is located on the Colorado plateau surrounded by several Native pueblos and reservations including Acoma, Laguna, Zuni, Hopi and the Navajo reservation. Gallup is situated in the Northwest corner of New Mexico making it convenient to visit the nearby states of Arizona, Colorado and Utah. Prominent breathtaking geographic features include the southeastern range of the Chuska Mountains, extensive cliff formations known as the “Red Rocks” and the Zuni Mountains. Gallup is located on U.S. Interstate 40 and Historic Route 66 ideally placing our town between the four corners region and the Continental Divide. U.S. Hwy 491 formerly known as U.S. Hwy 666 and State Hwy 602 connect Gallup to all north and south destinations.
The town of Gallup offers a unique blend of historical happenings that have created a multifaceted identity for our economy and townspeople. In 1881 Gallup was founded as a railhead for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad creating a catalyst for Gallup to become a major trade center and supplier of coal. Subsequent to the railroad was the establishment of the famous Route 66 and the ever curious tourist. As Gallup began to grow from a typical western town that included saloons, trade and houses of the night to a large commercial trading center for Native Americans, a significant influx of culture and economic prosperity began to cultivate. Today Gallup serves approximately 120,00 people over a 15,000 square mile territory in Northwestern New Mexico and Northeastern Arizona . With more than 75% of our people being Native American, we have been coined the window to Indian country. The sale of Native American arts and crafts constitute a significant part of the economic base and are produced through a cottage industry system. Other large employers within the region are government, mining and refining industry, service and varied retail industries where the arts and crafts of Native Americans is known to yield great economic influence encouraging tourism and visitors.