History

The history of Farmington can be dated back over 2,000 years ago when the Anasazi "basketmakers" lived in the area in what is now known as "pit houses" and later in pueblo structures built from the native sandstone rock. Their past occupancy can still be seen in the various ruins that fill the surrounding countryside. After the Anasazi exit from the area, the land was then inhabited by the Navajo, Jicarilla Apache and the Utes, which add to the cultural diversity found in this area to this day. The Spanish passed through this area in the late 1700s and eventually settled in the eastern part of San Juan County in the early 1800s. It was not until mid 1870s that the population of the area began to grow with the actual settlement of what was to become Farmingtown, later shortened to Farmington. Settled by pioneers from Animas City, Colorado at the confluence of the La Plata, Animas and San Juan Rivers. Farmington began to blossom into a flourishing farm and ranch economy and incorporated in 1901.