History

HistoryThis is the History site for the Mimbres-Paquime Connection.This site contains pictures and regional historical information from Southwest New Mexico and Northern Mexico.

Sites and Activiites

Pinos Altos (spanish for Tall Pines), New Mexico: Once a booming gold town and county seat. The original saloon is still open for business.
- Pinos Altos Melodrama Theater: Performances Friday and Saturday nights, (505) 388-3848
- Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House: Northeast of Silver City, fine dining in an authentic 1860's old west atmosphere. Entertainment in the Saloon on weekends. (505) 538-9911.

Ft. Bayard: A historical territorial post dating back to 1863. In 1899 it became a U.S. Army General Hospital and treated Tuberculosis patients. Now it is a state medical center and National Cemetery. Bordered by a state Elk refuge. Ft. Bayard was originally manned by the "Buffalo Soldiers" of the Ninth Cavalry, an all-black regiment.
Mogollon Ghost Town: 75 miles Northwest of Silver City.
Santa Rita del Cobre Fort: Replica of Old Fort Webster, Trading Post Outside Silver City (505) 388-2211.
Shakespeare Ghost Town: Guided tours. 2.5 miles South of Lordsburg. (505) 542-9034 (National Historic Register). Remains of a pioneer town; it grew in 1870, from a silver strike and a diamond swindle, to 3,000 in population. The 1908-1932 mining boom added to the town's reputation for lawlessness; free-for-all fights occasionally led to hangings. Reenactments 4 times a year.
Steins Railroad Ghost Town: 19 miles Southwest of Lordsburg. (505) 542-9791. Originally a Butterfield Stage Station built in 1808. It's peak of prosperity was 1905-1945. A population of 1,000 supported 2 saloons and a dance hall. Today, 10 buildings are filled with authentic artifacts and furniture from the 1800's.

Deming, New Mexico: Over 100 years ago a silver spike was driven commemorating the completion of the southern railway from coast to coast. Deming's high, dry climate prompted the building of a sanitarium; the great climate still offers a haven for people seeking a healthy lifestyle. In the 1850's, Deming was a stopping point for the Butterfield Trail.
- Camp Cody: Deming: historically a military post consisting of tents and wagons. Today a treasure trove for those with metal detectors.

Columbus, New Mexico: At the U.S. - Mexico border; the village was originally established in 1891, but moved three miles north of its original location when the El Paso and Southwestern Railroad built in 1902. At one time it boasted a 12 grade school with 17 teachers, 3 hotels, 2 general mercantile stores, a blacksmith and several other stores. On December 19, 1981 the Sunset Ltd. made the last run over the tracks which were then taken up.
Camp Furlong was established because of the strained relations between the U.S. and Mexico at the border, army camps were established along the border. At 4:15 a.m., March 9, 1916, between 900 and 1100 bandits under Pancho Villa attacked Columbus and the 13th Cavalry at Camp Furlong. The bandits were pursued into Mexico, leaving Columbus burning behind them. (See Points of Interest - Other, this site)
- Pancho Villa State Park: 35 miles South of Deming. Site of the 1916 Villista battle. Botanical garden, visitor center and campsites (505) 531-2711. Was created to preserve the memory "of the last hostility by foreign troops within the continental U.S.

Silver City, New Mexico: Established in 1870 with the advent of the discovery of gold. Silver City grew to one of the largest mining towns of the era. Some of Silver City's more famous legends include: Billy the Kid, Ben Lilly, Judge Roy Bean, William Hearst and Geronimo.
- Billy the Kid sites: Sites of the outlaw's family cabin, his mother's grave and the Star Hotel where he waited tables. Silver City (800) 548-9378.
- San Vicinte Artist Tours: 3rd weekend of each month. (505) 388-3785
- International Film Society: (505) 388-3922
- Copper Creek Wranglers: Chuck wagon supper and stage show; Friday and Saturday nights during June - August. (505) 388-1664.
- Kneeling Nun: Monolith resembling a nun kneeling in prayer, east of Silver City.
- Warren House: 1885; Silver City; only survivor of the Main Street floods.
- Silver City Walking Tours:
  - La Capilla - walking tour through Chihuahua Historic District.
  - Gospel Hill - tour of Silver City Historic District, showing architecture during Silver City's boom years.
  - Silver City Historic Business District tour.
- Victorian Gallery: A fully restored Queen Ann Victorian House. See Museums and Art, this site. (505) 538-0263.
- Mimbres Regional Arts Council: Events September through May. (505) 538-2505.

Madera, Chihuahua, Mexico: Founded as a lumbering town in 1906. (157) 2-05-38

City of Rocks State Park: A striking result of the geological process of erosion. Mysterious formations, sculpted by nature. These towering monoliths resemble an eerie Stonehenge. Monthly campfire includes singing, stories and a hot-dog and marshmallow roast. (505) 536-2800
Gila Wilderness: As of June 1924, the world's first wilderness, land closed to all works of man, where only travel by foot and horseback are permitted.
The Catwalk: Steep Trail over suspended bridges, 25 feet over a whitewater stream through a canyon. East of Glenwood. Old mines sites. In 1897, an 18 inch pipeline, installed along Whitewater Creek to supply water to a mill, was dubbed by workers "to Catwalk".

Historic Communities

Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico
The Casas Grandes district expands for 1592 km2. The older part of this historic town was founded around 1600. Some buildings from the late XIX century are still preserved. Nearby attractions include the San Antonio Convent, the ceramic community of Mata Ortiz, the Colonia Juarez, El Refugio Hacienda, and San Diego Hacienda. The archaeological site of Pacquime is located here. At the Culturas del Norte Museum, visitors can learn about the early people whose decendents still inhabit the area.

Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico
A relatively young city, Neuvo Casas Grandes was founded in 1897 with the introduction of the railway that joined Cuidad Juarez and Madera during wood and mining boom times. It is located 8 km from Casas Grandes and currently has an economy based on agriculture, commerce and tourism. .

Madera, Chihuahua, Mexico
The beautifully scenic drive to this mountain town makes this an excursion that no visitor will want to miss. Still an active logging community, the small town is a pleasant stop-off before exploring nearby archaeological ruins. Be prepared for warm hospitality! Really the end of the trail, the more adventurous can tour the surrounding mountains which are host to numerous hikers and annual mountainbike races.

Puerto Palomas, Chihuahua, Mexico
Palomas was founded in pre-revolutionary times to establish a border liason with Columbus, New Mexico, USA. It is historically recognized as the crossing for General Francisco "Pancho" Villa during the Columbus attack. .

Columbus, New Mexico, USA
Founded along the US-Mexico border in 1891, the current settlement was established in 1902 when the depot was built as a part of the El Paso and Southern Depot. Later, Camp Furlong was built there. The attack on Columbus by General "Pancho" Villa marked an important era in American history. Visitors can learn more about the area at the Historic Center. .

Deming, New Mexico, USA
Historically significant as the location of the placement of the Silver Spike. This marked the second transcontinental railroad to the outposts along the Butterfield Trail. This area is also considered important for the military which has occurred at Camp Copy and the Deming Air Force Base. Closely related to many natural and cultural attractions, it offers an extensive Information Center and interesting museums.

Lordsburg, New Mexico, USA
The Lordsburg area has been inhabited since before the Spaniards arrived. In later times, gold was the draw for settlers. The town of Lordsburg was established in 1880 and boasts a continual draw for nature lovers ever since. It is a natural attraction because of the nearby Chiricahua Mountains. Bird watching, hiking, rock hunting, and mountain biking are favorites among visitors to the area.

Silver City, New Mexico, USA
As with any settlement in the southwest area, Silver City boasts an early influence of a mix of numerous cultures that are still present even today. Mexican and Apache settlers were drawn to the pleasant climate and abundant water and wildlife for their existence. The summer of 1870 witnessed the early beginnings of a tent town housing thousands of miner drawn to the area by the discovery of silver. The boom passed, but the people remained. The optimism of the era is reflected in the houses built by the early miners, which stand today. Walking tours of the Victorian Homes are a favorite of visitors.

For Comments or Questions Contact:

mimbres@silver.wnmu.edu