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Created in 1921 from the western part of Socorro County, this county bears the name of Thomas B. Catron, attorney and politician and one of the most influential and controversial figures in NM history. Catron moved to NM in 1866 from Missouri. Almost immediately he became involved in politics, emerging as the leader of the growing Republican party. As a state legislator he was the leader of the "Santa Fe Ring," a circle of overlapping interests that dominated NM politics in the late 19th century. Fluent in Spanish, he acquired 1.5 million acres in former Spanish grant lands; the ethics of his acquisitions have remained controversial. He was an ardent advocate of statehood for NM, and he pushed the issue while US congressman for the territory. Despite frequent disappointments, he lived to see statehood achieved in 1912 and was one of the state's first two US Senators. The county named for him is the state's largest, with one of the smallest populations. Per the book "Place Names of New Mexico" by Julyan.
Aside from that, it also has the most beautiful scenery in New Mexico, including much of the Gila Wilderness.
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