February 10, 2026
Community spirit can move mountains. In Aztec, New Mexico, it moved enough earth to build a 19-mile highway. This is not a local legend, but a historic achievement that put a small town on the national map. In 1963, because of an unparalleled display of grit and unity, Aztec was named an All America City—an honor earned through the sweat, determination, and collaborative will of its people. The story begins with a challenge: a new, $42 million federal project, the Navajo Dam, was rising just beyond the town's reach. This major component of the Upper Colorado River Storage Project promised immense opportunity, but Aztec lacked a direct road to get there. Faced with the choice of waiting for government funds or taking action, the community chose action. They decided to build the road themselves. An Unprecedented Task On January 6, 1963, dignitaries, including New Mexico Governor Jack Campbell, gathered for a festive groundbreaking. The goal was ambitious, to say the least: construct a two-lane, 19-mile highway connecting Aztec to the new dam. What made the task truly legendary was the timeline and the resources. The road was to be designed, funded, and built almost entirely by volunteers, without government support. What followed was an extraordinary mobilization. The project became a town-wide mission, uniting residents from every walk of life. It was a testament to what can be accomplished when a community shares a single, focused goal. A Community United Building a modern highway is a massive undertaking. For the people of Aztec, it required a level of cooperation that became the stuff of legend. Approximately 3,000 volunteers stepped forward—nearly 75 percent of the town's population at the time. This wasn't just a handful of people; it was a movement. Donated Resources: Local businesses contributed heavy equipment, materials, and supplies. Cash donations were collected to fund the effort. Grassroots Fundraising: The fundraising efforts were as creative as they were essential. Civic groups organized rallies that echoed the war bond drives of the 1940s. Even the town's youth got involved, with schoolchildren staging plays to raise money for the road fund. Volunteer Labor: The most critical resource was the people themselves. Residents dedicated their free time, weekends, and energy to the physical labor of construction. Community Support: A dedicated committee, led by resident Bonnie Walls, ensured the workers were cared for. Come snow or shine, they served meals every single day, fueling the volunteers who were building the town's future. In a stunning display of efficiency and resolve, the road was completed on April 21, 1963—just over three months after it began. The highway, later valued at $250,000, was a marvel of private initiative and community collaboration. The Farmington Times praised it as "a marvelous display of what can be accomplished through private initiative and resourcefulness, through voluntary cooperation of people at the grass-roots level.”
