 In 1905, Hough unearthed preserved cobs of maize in a cave in New Mexico that helped subsequent archaeologists determine that the Mogollon ethnic group inhabited the area before the Anasazi Puebloans, who were previously considered to be the area's earliest inhabitants.In 1892, Hough was made Knight of the Order of Isabella when in Madrid as a member of the United States Commission.He was also a member of Dr. J. Walter Fewkes' expedition to Arizona (1896–1897).