1880 Railroad arrives April 5 at 4:00 pm.  Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad Co. builds first depot 1.5 miles southeast of Old Town.  Population booms.

1881 First social division between Old and New Town sparked by Post Office.
Building boom occurs in future business district of New Town. 
The traditional Adobe Style of building was abandoned for the more modern City Style (largely Victorian) to attract visitors.

1882 False fronts become common on many downtown stores.

1889 University of New Mexico established.

1892 University of New Mexico builds its first building.

1897 J. L. Dodson brings the first car in the state of New Mexico to Albuquerque from Denver.