A Brief History of Gallup
In 1880, a paymaster for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, David L. Gallup, established headquarters along the construction right-of-way of the southern transcontinental route. The railroad workers began "going to Gallup" to get their pay; thus a town was born and named in 1881.
Today, Gallup is the home to about 20,000 people and serves as a trading area for more than six times that number, or approximately 120,000 people. Gallup serves a steady stream of travelers, bolstering a strong and growing tourism economy, who come to see some of the most unique and interesting wonders of the American Southwest. Gallup and McKinley County offer a quality of life enriched by unique arts, stunning outdoor recreation, and an affordable family-friendly atmosphere.