Tucumcari, named for 4,999-foot Tucumcari Mountain—utilized by Comanche Indians as a lookout point, or tucumcari—is another town that came into being by way of a rail line (in this case, the Rock Island Railroad). Legend traces the origin of the name to an ill-fated romance between the warrior Tocom and Kari, the daughter of a chief. When Tocom died in a fight for Kari's hand she stabbed the victor, then herself. Witnessing the tragedy, her father also ended his life with a dagger, crying out “Tocom-Kari.” Learn More...