Socorro, NM: University town featuring two craft breweries near historic plaza
March 2023: We were excited to stop by the town of Socorro (pop.8,707) when we learned it features two craft breweries located in a historic Plaza. Plus we love visiting a university campus! The town of Socorro is the County seat of Socorro County. It is also known for its proximity the National Rado Astronomy Observatory and its Very Large Array.
Socorro – A Brief history
European discovery of the area now known as Socorro happened in 1598 when a group of Spanish travelers, weary from their expedition through the dessert, encountered Piro Indians who gave them food and water. As a result, they named the area Socorro, which means “help” or “aid”.
The first mission in the area was established circa 1620s, documenting that around 600 people lived in the area at the time.
The Pueblo Revolt of 1680, involved a conflict between Spanish troops and the Piro Indians, resulting in the destruction of the Piro Pueblo (Socorro).
The Spanish resettled Socorro region when they re-conquered New Mexico in the early 1800s. The mission of San Miguel de Socorro was established in the early 1820s, built on the ruins of the original Mission. A portion of the adobe wall of the old church remains today and can still be seen behind a glass plate near the alter. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic places as of 2016.
Fort Conrad was built in the early 1850s and abandoned for Fort Craig a couple years later. The New Mexico School of Mines (not the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology) was founded in Socorro in 1889.
One of the town’s claims to fame is that Socorro was a home base for some of the cast of the 1997 movie Contact, which filmed at the Very Large Array observatory 50 miles to the west of town.
Downtown vibe / walkability
We began our visit in the Socorro Historic Plaza, interested in exploring the surrounding businesses.
We had a terrific dinner at the Capitol Bar & Brewery which has a blend of historical aesthetic and in-house brewed beer. Right around the corner is the relatively new Box Canyon Brewing Company. We didn’t get there, but see that it has many positve reviews online.
- Capitol Bar & Brewery – Google Maps – fascinating history dating back to 1896! This place serves food and brews its own beer, has a fun interior vibe and beautiful outdoor shaded patio
- Box Canyon Brewing Company – Google Maps – serving light fare and hand craft beer with fun local names. They have live music and community events (origin article from online newspaper)
Nearby are several more great places – an icecream shop, a bakery and a gift store.
- Sweet Occasions – Google Maps – local bakery that makes custom cakes
- Sweet Spot – Google Maps – local ice cream shop with a fun family vibe
The focal point of the plaza is a historic gazebo, nicely renovated.
The plaza appears to be the primary “downtown” concentration of businesses. Most other businesses located along the California Street, a main road through town.
Our next stop was the NM Institute of Mining and Technology, a beautiful campus less than 2 miles from the Plaza. Undergraduate enrollment is around 1200 students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) majors.
More to Explore!
During our visit, we were impressed by the couple of businesses we saw near the plaza and enjoyed the short drive to the University. In our experience, the downtown businesses and community parks are the building blocks of placemaking.
The Socorro Tourism Department is located at the Heritage and Vistors Center near the historic Plaza. Established in 2004, it is funded entirely by Lodger’s Tax revenues generated by local hotels, B&Bs, and RV parks. According to its website, its funds are used for advertising, promoting, and publicizing the area’s attractions and events. The goal is to bolster the local economy with a focus on marketing that starts at home with the local community.
Today Socorro has a diverse economy. Major employers that include the university (NM Institute of Mining and Technology), the BLM (Bureau of Land Management), the local hospital, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and city/county government and schools.
