Albuquerque's Nickname 'Duke City': Honoring the 10th Duke of Albuquerque

Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city, is nicknamed the "Duke City" after Fernando de la Concha y Cortés, 10th Duke of Albuquerque (1730–1790). He served as the 20th Governor and Captain-General of the Territory of New Mexico (1787–1793) under Spanish rule. The city was founded in 1706 as *La Villa de Alburquerque* (note original spelling) by Governor Francisco Cuervo y Valdés, who named it in honor of the Viceroy of New Spain, the 10th Duke. The "r" was later dropped. The duke never visited the city, but his title lives on in its identity and the annual "Duke City" celebrations.