The Postwar Transformation of Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1945-1972

From the end of World War II to the closing months of 1972, Albuquerque, New Mexico, underwent as dramatic a transformation as any American city ever has in such a short time. Its population exploded from about 50,000 to more than five times that number, and the median income of its citizens adjusted for inflation doubled. Fundamental changes took place in the character of the city, as the rugged individualism of the people gave way to more cooperative behavior, and authority relaxed throug...