Located on the Pecos River in San Miguel County, El Cerrito (New Mexico) was a culturally stable rural community. Almost a cultural island, its inhabitants were of native or Spanish American stock, descendants of conquistadores who mixed their blood with that of the indigenous population. Religion and the Catholic church had a profound influence on the people. This was shown in their thinking, attitudes and values, and day-to-day activities. The family had a strong influence on the community. When the village was first settled, it was completely surrounded by enough grass land to support sheep and cattle to afford the people an independent livelihood. The community was almost a complete and independent socioeconomic unit, depending on the outside world for a market for its wool and to supply certain material items not produced or made at home. However, over the last quarter-century, El Cerrito had suffered severely due to loss of a large portion of the land which supported it. Loss of local resources failed to disturb the village or its people while outside employment offered a substantial wage. It was only after this resource also gave way that continued existence of the old way of life was threatened. Its preference for cultural isolation and its lack of technological knowledge did not allow El Cerrito to meet the competition of other producing areas. (NQ)