RATON, a city and county seat of Colfax county, New
Mexico, U.S.A., in the N.E. part of the state, and about
193 m. N.E. by rail from Santa Fé. Pop. (1890) 1255; (1900) 3540
(337 foreign-born); (1910 census) 4539. Raton is served by the
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fé, the Saint Louis, Rocky Mountain
& Pacific, and the Santa Fé, Raton & Eastern railways. The
city lies immediately W. of the Raton Mountains, from which it
derives its name, and has an elevation of 6400–6650 ft. above
the sea. Among its institutions are a miners' hospital, maintained
by the state, and a picturesque public park. The
city lies within the Raton coal field, a southern continuation of
the field of the same name in Colorado, and the richest coal-producing
area in New Mexico. In 1907 70% of the total coal
product of New Mexico came from Colfax county, in which this
field is situated. Ores of gold, silver and lead have been mined
in Colfax county. South and east of the city there is good
farming land. Raton is a place of railway origin, and owes its
development to its extensive railway shops, as well as to the
proximity of mines. It was incorporated in 1891.