Virden

Virden, in Hidalgo County, is on NM 92 and also on the Gila River, about 30 miles northwest of Lordsburg. It was established in the 1870's as Richmond for the purpose of drawing water for use in the mines of the Virginia Mining District.

By 1912, Virden had become a trading center for area ranchers. Then, Mormons immigrating from Mexico arrived seeking new homes, and Ernest W. Virden, then president of the Gila Ranching Company, sold them the whole valley for $50,000--$5,000 down and the balance at $500 a year.

In 1916, the community's name was changed to Virden to honor Mr. Virden. Today, 1998, about 200 persons live here, most of them descendents of Mormon from Mexico.