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James W. Loewen (1942-2021)

We mourn the loss of our friend and colleague and remain committed to the work he began.

Portales

New Mexico

Basic Information

Type of Place
Independent City or Town
Metro Area
Politics c. 1860?
Unions, Organized Labor?

Sundown Town Status

Sundown Town in the Past?
Surely
Was there an ordinance?
Don't Know
Sign?
Perhaps, Some Oral Evidence
Year of Greatest Interest
Still Sundown?
Probably Not, Although Still Very Few Black People

Census Information

The available census data from 1860 to the present
Total White Black Asian Native Hispanic Other BHshld
1860
1870
1880
1890
1900
1910
1920
1930
1940 5104 0
1950 8112 3
1960 9695 14
1970 10554 82
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020

Method of Exclusion

  • Unknown

Main Ethnic Group(s)

  • Unknown

Group(s) Excluded

  • Black

Comments

Despite having a university in town, Portales kept out
blacks until at least the 1950s.

“I have spoken to several faculty members, most of
them retired, to see what they know about the topic of
a sundown town. It seems that many remember
hearing that Portales was and that there was even a
sign on each end of town stating Black man, don’t let
the sun go down on you here. Of course, I haven’t
found any pictures or documentation to that effect
and only one person who ‘remembers’ actually seeing
the signs. Most have stated ‘I’ve always heard rumors
to that effect, but I don’t know of any actual incidents.’
I spoke to the wife of the farmer who first hired a
black man in Roosevelt County in 1950. She reported
that several residents said hateful things to them
personally, but doesn’t know of any unkind remarks to
the black family.”
-university employee, 2004