Santa Clara is in
Rio Arriba County (is in the metro. area) , and in the
Central New Mexico region. You can find Santa Clara just south of
Espanola, off of US Highway 84.
Santa Clara, once called Central, is located across the highway from historic Fort Bayard. The town grew because of its proximity to the fort. It provided shelter for the settlers who followed the troops. Mining is the primary economic force in Santa Clara.