1534History
The Mescalero Apache were already living in the Tularosa Basin when the Spanish came in 1534, and Mescalero oral history says they have always lived there.
1719Government
In 1719, the Spanish built a chapel at La Luz (about 5 miles (8.0 km) from the future site of Alamogordo), although La Luz was not settled until about 1860.
1898Government
The present settlement, established in 1898 to support the construction of the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad, is an early example of a planned community.
1903Government
In addition to the local school system, Alamogordo is home to the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, founded in 1903, and a branch of New Mexico State Univer...
1912Government
The city was incorporated in 1912.
1933Infrastructure
Tourism became an important economic factor with the creation of White Sands National Park in 1933, which is still one of the biggest attractions of the city today.
1934Architecture
With the creation of White Sands National Monument in 1934, tourism began.
1935Architecture
The Works Progress Administration, a government program created in 1935 in response to the Great Depression, was responsible for the construction of several government buildings...
1938History
Post Office in 1938.
1941Government
In July 1941, the Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range was established.
1942Architecture
The main entrance portico features frescoes by Peter Hurd, which were completed in 1942.
1945Disaster
Alamogordo is widely known for its connection with the 1945 Trinity test, which was the first-ever explosion of an atomic bomb.
1958Government
== Education ==
New Mexico State University Alamogordo is a two-year community college established in 1958.
1960History
The most snowfall in one month was 10.0 in (25 cm) in December 1960.
1961Architecture
The Post Office moved out in 1961, and the building was used by a succession of federal agencies and was known as the Federal Building.
1977History
In 1977 in Albuquerque, they held the conference that resulted in the 1978 study of the Shroud with more scientists from New Mexico than any other state.
1978History
The displayed photograph was created from the 1978 photographs made by Barrie M.
1981Disaster
Temperatures outside of monsoonal storms are very hot during the summer: 89.1 days exceed 90 °F (32.2 °C) and temperatures as high as 110 °F (43.3 °C) occurred on June 22, 1981,...
1983History
In 1983, Atari, Inc.
1984Government
=== Economic development ===
Otero County Economic Development Council is a nonprofit organization founded in 1984.
1988Culture
Flickinger Center for Performing Arts is a 590-seat theater created in 1988 from a re-purposed movie theater.
1990History
The ordinance was passed in 1990 to promote the growth and scientific productivity of Apache Point Observatory.
1991History
Rainfall is low and usually confined to the monsoon from July to September, when half a typical year's rainfall of 10.63 in (270.0 mm) will occur – although December 1991 did se...
1992History
=== German community, 1992–2019 ===
Previously Alamogordo had a German community due to the presence of the German Air Force at Holloman Air Force Base; in 1992 that air force ...
1999History
In 1999, the median income for a household in the city was $30,928, and the median income for a family was $35,673.
2000History
During the 2000 census, there were 13,704 households, and 9,728 families residing in the city.
2001History
Alamogordo briefly made international news in late 2001 when Christ Community Church held a public book burning of books in the Harry Potter series, and several other series, on...
2003History
By 2003 there were about 2,000 Germans in Alamogordo.
2005History
Alamogordo was one of the fourteen cities profiled in the 2005 documentary 14 Days in America.
2006History
In 2006 the per capita income in Otero County was $22,377 versus per capita income in New Mexico of $29,346.
2007Culture
When the company went out of business in 2007, Marietta Baking took over the cookie factory and received interest-free loans, job-training incentives, and partial forgiveness of...
2008Culture
The last federal agency to occupy it was the United States Forest Service who used it as the headquarters of the Lincoln National Forest until October 2008, when that agency mov...
2009Architecture
In February 2009, ownership of the building was transferred to Otero County government and many government offices were moved from the Courthouse to its new Administration Build...
2010History
== Geography ==
As of 2010, Alamogordo had a total area of 19.3 square miles (50.0 km2), all land.
2011Architecture
Route 82 near Florida Avenue that opened in 2011.
2013Economy
In May 2013, Alamogordo's City Commission approved a deal for Canada-based film production company Fuel Industries to excavate the Atari landfill site.
2014History
On April 26, 2014, video game archaeologists began sifting through years of trash from the old Alamogordo landfill.
2016History
As of 2016, it has approximately 1,800 students.
2017Infrastructure
As of 2017, there was a daily shuttle van service between Alamogordo and El Paso International Airport.
2018Government
As of 2018, Richard Boss holds the position of mayor.
2019Military
In 2019, the German military withdrew from the base.
2020History
== Demographics ==
As of the census of 2020, there were 31,384 people.