The Economic Times

In the 1920s, Madrid, New Mexico, grew into a coal-mining town of 2,500; by 1960, only two families remained as demand for coal declined

Once a bustling coal mining hub, Madrid, New Mexico, boasted around 2,500 residents until the arrival of natural gas in 1949 prompted a swift decline in coal usage. By 1960, only two families remained amidst a landscape of deserted homes and shops. However, the 1970s ushered in a renaissance as artists and craftsmen rejuvenated the area, transforming Madrid into a vibrant tourist attraction while preserving its rich mining history.