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Abstract
El Cerrito, New Mexico, has since 1939 been the subject of nine published studies and one doctoral dissertation. This qualitative analysis synthesizes those studies, adding recently collected primary data. The population declined from 135 persons in 1940 to five elderly adults in the late 1960s. Since 1970 a turn-around has occurred. By 1992 nine households were occupied full-time and two occupied part-time. El Cerrito's location between Santa Fe and Las Vegas is a major factor in its revitalization. Both are within acceptable commuting distance for workers. At the same time, it is just isolated enough to have a special appeal to several multi-talented residents who have been instrumental in obtaining funds to improve community infrastructure. Another key factor appears to be the remarkable level of psychological identification with this community. El Cerrito's resurgence illustrates the crucial role of locally-initiated effort in development outcomes that might otherwise seem implausible.