Discover Socorro and surrounding areas: 2011 Visitors Guide

El Defensor Chieftain2 Discover socorro & surrounDing areas

On behalf of the Socorro County Chamber of Commerce, I welcome you, your family and friends to our friendly community. Socorro is one of the largest counties in New Mexico, rich in both history and culture.

Socorro Country has a very diverse habitat with beautiful and majestic scenery. The county is comprised of the most northern reach of the Chihuahua desert, rolling hills and forested mountains. The Rio Grande flows through the center of the county on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. The natural wetlands along its banks have been enhanced with additional man made ponds to create the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is open to the general public to view and learn about the resident and migratory animals. The refuge is world famous for its large flocks of greater sandhill cranes and snow geese that arrive each fall and depart in late February.

For history buffs, our county has battle fields of the civil war, historical army fort and the original Spaniard trail that early settlers traveled from Mexico City to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The El Camino Real (Royal Road) has an International Heritage Center to celebrate its route through our County and the State of New Mexico.

We value you as a guest and promise to make your stay enjoyable. Our County has many fine businesses that are truth worthy, reliable and will provide you with excellent customer service. The City of Socorro is the home of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, a 4 year university that is consistently rated as one of the country’s best value in both the Princeton Review and Money Magazine.

As the President, I encourage you to stop by our office which is located on the historical park or plaza for additional information about our friendly community. Vios con Dios!

Sincerely,Sue MezaPresident

Welcome from the Socorro County Chamber of Commerce

President Meza presenting the “Woman of the Year” award to MaryAnn Chavez-Lopez at the 2011 Community Award Banquet

Enjoy your visit ...

El Defensor Chieftain Discover socorro & surrounDing areas 3

Dear Visitor,

Welcome to Socorro County. We are honored to have you as our guest! As you will see throughout this guide, this area has a great deal to offer and your time here is sure to be enjoyable.

As you drive around Socorro County, I am sure that you will notice that we are a farming and ranching commu-nity. And, if you are here in the summer months, there is always great fresh pro-duce that you can pick up, either at the farmers’ market or at one of our many produce stands.

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is located at the center of Socorro and is one of the top engineer-ing schools in the nation. The campus is beautiful and is the perfect place to go for a leisurely walk. And, if you like to play golf you are going to love the New Mexico Tech 18-hole golf course.

Our mild climate makes this the per-fect place to get outside and have some fun. If you are an animal lover you may want to visit the Bosque del Apache and Sevilleta Nation Wildlife Refuges. Or, if you just want to enjoy our mild climate and beautiful scenery, you can hike one of the many trails around the Rio Grande, or in the canyons scattered across the county. If relaxing is your main goal, then Escondida Lake is the place for you. There is a playground for the kids and a fishing hole with plenty of shade.

No matter what you decide to do with your time here in Socorro County, I am sure you will have a great time.

Thanks for visiting us and we hope to see you again!

Sincerely,

Danny MonetteBoard of Commissioners ChairSocorro County

Dear Visitor,

As mayor of the City of Socorro, I would like to thank you for your interest in our beautiful city.

The City of Socorro has much to offer visi-tors, current and future residents. For individuals, families and new business owners who decide to make Socorro their new home, welcome!

Socorro has a small town charm, but is large enough to have modern schools, infrastruc-ture/computer lines and medical facilities.

For the new business owners, Socorro has an industrial park with low lease rates and all underground utilities. New Mexico Tech also has a business and research park that is avail-able for new businesses to lease.

Nearby, the City of Socorro’s renovated airport has two runways, the longest being 5,800 feet. Socorro is also located at the inter-section of Interstate 25 and State Highway 60 and has a north to south railroad with a spur to the industrial park.

Locally, the community has many edu-cational, recreational and points of interest including:

• Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge• The Very Large Array (Radio Telescopes)• El Camino Real International Heritage and Cultural Center• Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge• Magdalena Ridge Observatory• Trinity Site Open House (White Sands Missile Range)• U.S. Forest Service Lands• Bureau of Land Management Lands• Performing Arts SeriesWe, at the City of Socorro, hope you enjoy

living in Socorro. If any of us can be of fur-ther assistance in your move, please call our office at 575-835-0240 or the Chamber of Commerce at 575-835-0424.

Sincerely,

Ravi Bhasker MayorCity of Socorro

Dear Visitor,

Welcome to the rich history of

Magdalena. Enjoy our relaxing,

small town friendly atmosphere.

In recent years, Magdalena has

attracted various types of artists

with a diverse variety of media

and style. Their work is proudly

displayed in several galleries and

shops around Magdalena.

As you visit our Village, we

invite you to stop by our visitors

center.

The Village of Magdalena

is surrounded by the Cibola

National Forest and other public

lands. Here you can enjoy an

abundance of outdoor activities

including hiking, camping and

viewing wildlife.

View many of our historic

buildings which are scattered

around town as well as our

Magdalena livestock pens and

rodeo grounds. Also stop by and

visit the ATSF Train Depot which

now serves as our public library

and museum.

Enjoy,

Sandy JulianMayorVillage of Magdalena

Discover Socorro is a copyrighted publication of El Defensor Chieftain, a part of Number Nine Media, Inc.

On the Cover: The cover of this year’s visitors guide — designed by Rebecca Apodaca — reflects some of the elements that make Socorro County worth discovering.

Contact us at200 Winkler St., Socorro, NM 87801

Telephone: 575-835-0520 • Fax: 575-835-1837On the web at: www.dchieftain.com

Departments

T.S. Last . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . General ManagerJackie Schlotfeldt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EditorKelcie MacRunnels . . . . . . . . . Sports ReporterSuzanne Barteau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ReporterRebecca Apodaca . . . . . . Production ManagerTrish Martinez . . . . . Administrative AssistantByron Whitehorse . . . . . . . . . . . . . AdvertisingDesiree Herndon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AdvertisingPaul Ulibarri Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DistributionMelissa Montoya . . . . . . . . . .Business Manager

El Defensor ChieftainT.H. Lang

President

David B. Puddu Vice President/COO

©2011 El Defensor Chieftain

Ta

ble

of

Co

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El Defensor Chieftain4 Discover socorro

HeritageWelcome ................................................................. 7Our Rich History ...................................................... 82010 Calendar of Events .................................... 10

OutdOOrsBosque del Apache ............................................. 12Sevilleta ................................................................. 15Nature Areas ......................................................... 16

CultureSocorro’s Historic Plaza ......................................... 17Heritage and Visitors Center .............................. 17Agriculture ............................................................. 18San Miguel Mission .............................................. 18Farmers Market ..................................................... 19Hammel Museum ................................................ 20

El Camino Real International Heritage Center ................................................... 22

Gran Quivira ......................................................... 22Fort Craig ............................................................... 23Ghost Towns .......................................................... 23

sCienCe and teCHnOlOgyVery Large Array .................................................. 24Astronomy ............................................................. 25Trinity Site .............................................................. 26New Mexico Tech ................................................. 28Mineral Museum .................................................. 29

COmmunitiesSan Antonio .......................................................... 30Magdalena ........................................................... 34Boxcar Museum .................................................... 35Alamo .................................................................... 36Our communities ................................................. 37

spOrts and reCreatiOnNew Mexico Tech Golf Course ........................... 38Fire Academy ...................................................... 39Rock Climbing ...................................................... 40Mountain Biking ................................................... 40Active Interests ...................................................... 41Camping ............................................................... 42Birding ................................................................... 43Horseback Riding ................................................ 44Back Country Horsemen .................................... 44Rock Hounding .................................................... 44Hiking ..................................................................... 45On the Fly ............................................................. 46City Parks ............................................................... 47

arts and entertainmentPerforming Arts Series ......................................... 48Garcia Opera House ........................................... 49Theater .................................................................. 49

Plenty to do .......................................................... 50For More Information .......................................... 53

direCtOriesVital Statistics ......................................................... 52Education .............................................................. 54Church Directory ................................................... 54Business Directory ................................................. 55Socorro County Resource Guide ........................ 58Magdalena Map .................................................. 60Socorro County Map ............................................ 61Socorro Map ......................................................... 62

El Defensor Chieftain Discover socorro • HeriTage 7

Bienvenidos! ... Welcome to Socorro County

We welcome readers to Socorro County and our Discover Socorro Visitors Guide, and hope you find

our community as unique and enchanting as we do.Renowned for its diversity and contrasts, New Mexico is

one of the nation’s gems. Socorro, the second oldest com-munity in this culturally rich state, is one place you definitely don’t want to miss.

Inhabited for more than 800 years, Socorro remains inte-grally linked to its storied past while blazing new technologi-cal trails that will, no doubt, lay the groundwork for a vibrant future as well.

While much of the county is rural, it also plays host to one of the nation’s premier research universities, New Mexico Tech.

While archaeologists survey the remains of 800-year-old Indian villages, astronomers are using a vast radio telescope array to peer deep into the past and future of the universe.

While visitors from around the world visit the site of the first atomic bomb explosion in 1945, researchers a few miles away are developing the very latest information on explosives and counter-explosives technology in one of the nation’s lead-ing Homeland Security programs.

Thousands of visitors come to see the two wildlife refuges in the county — many to attend the annual Festival of the Cranes at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Hundreds more come to reenact one of the most important Civil War battles for control of the West, the Battle of Valverde, and to visit the remains of 150-year-old Fort Craig, the Union fort associated with that battle. Others come to follow the route of El Camino Real, the “Royal Road to the Interior” that brought 16th-century Spanish explorers through the valley. Their story is now told at the one-of-a-kind El Camino Real International Heritage Center south of Socorro.

While old-timers return to Magdalena each year to celebrate the village’s glory days as a cattle railhead, just a few miles away on 10,600-foot Magdalena Ridge stands a new state-of-the-art, rapid-response 2.4-meter optical telescope for defense and private use. Magdalena Ridge Observatory received “first light” late in 2006. It has since been joined by an optical inter-ferometer, an array of several optical telescopes, that have the equivalent viewing power of a 400-meter telescope, and keep the area on the cutting edge of astronomical research.

While residents here enjoy a small-town atmosphere year-round, Socorro is home to one of the finest entertainment ven-ues — Macey Center — and a Performing Arts Series unheard of in cities this size.

The following pages expand on these features and so much more that this unique region has to offer the visitor, the new-comer and even those who’ve been around awhile.

In the end, you will likely conclude that discovering Socorro and the surrounding areas is an ideal pursuit.

We recommend, however, that you give yourself ample time. There’s a whole world of excitement and enchanting times

to be had — make sure you don’t miss out on the myriad of sights, sounds and attractions that make Socorro County one of the richest destinations — not only in New Mexico but in the country.

El Defensor Chieftain8 HeriTage • Discover socorro

Our Rich History ... Diverse cultures

To say Socorro and the surrounding commu-

nities are steeped in history and tradition would be a huge understatement.More than two centu-ries before Christopher Columbus’ fabled sojourn to the New World from Spain, Piro Indians — the southern-most Pueblo tribe — inhabit-ed nearly two dozen villages along the Rio Grande from San Marcial to La Joya. The Piros, living in pueblos since at least the 1200s, weren’t the only Indians to call this land home — Apache Indians also inhabited much of the area that today is called the Middle Rio Grande Valley.

As the Spanish explorers in the mid-16th century began to make their way north from Mexico, they followed the Rio Grande and established El Camino Real — the Royal Road into “New Spain.” As a result, they were frequent visitors at the Piro villages.

Socorro got its name in 1598 from explorer Juan de Oñate, whose tired and hun-gry men were given food and shelter by the Piros. He renamed the Pilabo pueblo “Socorro,” which means “help” or “succor” in Spanish.

In the early 1600s, Franciscan friars built missions at Socorro, Senecú, near San Marcial, and Sevilleta, near La Joya.

In 1680, when the Pueblo Indians of Northern New Mexico staged their revolt against the Spaniards, the people of Socorro and surrounding areas fled. The Piros did not participate in the revolt and headed south to El Paso, Texas, with the Spanish troops and settlers.

When the Spaniards came back up the valley, they found the abandoned pueblos from Senecú to Sevilleta had been pillaged by the Apaches. For the next 100 years, there were few settlers in the area.

The resettlement of Socorro began in the early 1800s, and, in 1815, 21 families were given land grants to settle here. Socorro flourished because of the fertile farm land and grazing along the river. However, occasional attacks by the Apaches remained a constant threat.

When New Mexico became a territory of the U.S. in 1848, the region saw some relief as the military established a series of forts for protection against the Apaches. In Socorro County, the

Army established Fort Conrad in 1851, but found it indefensi-ble and relocated to the newly built Fort Craig in 1854.

The Civil War made its way into New Mexico and Socorro County. On Feb. 21, 1862, Union and Confederate forces engaged in a daylong battle south of Socorro near Fort Craig — called the Battle of Valverde. On March 30, the Confederates met stiffer resistance and lost the Battle of Glorietta near Santa Fe, which forced their retreat from New Mexico back to Texas.

The Battle of Valverde is reenacted every year in Socorro, with hundreds of Civil War buffs in atten-dance to participate or watch the many demonstrations of warfare.

Socorro and the surround-ing area boomed after the Civil War, thanks to mining strikes — lead and zinc in the Magdalena area and silver on Socorro Peak. The railroad arrived in 1882, fueled from the vast coal fields east of San Antonio.

Socorro, with her mines, mills, and smelters, became

the center to this diverse mining activity. In 1889, the government chose Socorro as the site for its new School of Mines (now New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, or New Mexico Tech for short), which opened in 1893.

The glory days of mining are recalled each year in Socorro during the ’49ers celebrations, events put on by New Mexico Tech to relive the school’s early days and pay tribute to the area’s mining history.

Livestock, ranching and agriculture has always been integral to the fabric of the area and those who call it home. Huge cattle-drives were commonplace, with thousands of cattle driven to Magdalena — “The Trails End” — where the cattle trail met the railroad. The cattledrive days are over. Cattle from area ranchers are now shipped by truck. Magdalena still relives those days each July in its annual Old-Timers Days.

Agriculture remains a mainstay of the area and is a key ele-ment of the annual Socorro Fest. Local farmers sell their goods on the Socorro Plaza every Tuesday afternoon and Saturday morning during the city-sponsored Farmers’ Market.

n See History, Page 9


Today, a new economy has emerged in Socorro. It is based in part on New Mexico Tech, recognized as one of the nation’s premier research universi-ties. An explosives test range, seismic research center, optical telescopes, the Very Large Array radio telescope, and other facilities have also made Socorro a premier high-tech center.

Nature also plays a big role, since the county contains two of the nation’s most important national wildlife ref-uges, one of which draws thousands to the area annually to enjoy the majesty of the migrating sandhill cranes.

And the area’s rich and varied his-tory has spawned a number of annual celebrations that continue to grow in popularity.

Sources: City of Socorro, Socorro County Chamber of Commerce, New Mexico Tech, Socorro County Historical Society, El Defensor Chieftain archives.

Continued from Page 8

History: DON’T MISS THISBattles for Socorro

The fourth weekend of February, Union and Confederate camps set up near Socorro to reenact the historic Battle of Valverde and occupy the town’s Plaza in the Siege of Socorro. The Battle of Valverde and other skirmish scenarios are held out at “Fort Escondida,” about three miles north of Socorro. Tours of the camps, dances, period secession debates and other entertainment also occur during the event.

February 25-27

El Defensor Chieftain10 HeriTage • Discover socorro

Bienvenidos2011 CalendarSocorro Heritage and ViSitorS center

Just westof Plaza

217 FisherSocorro, nM

575-835-8927

February 5 - Community Arts Party, Finley Gym, Ronna 575-835-5688

February 19 - Historic Forts’ Day, El Camino Real Heritage Center, 575-854-3600

February 26 - Science Olympiad, NM Tech Campus, Rose 575-835-5678

February 25-27 - Battles for Socorro Civil War Re-enactment, Visitors Center 575-835-8927

March 10-12 - Socorro Warrior Baseball Invite, SHS Baseball Field, Alan 621-3825

March 20 - 6th Annual Socorro General Hospital Spring Tea, Lorraine 575-835-6431

March 22-23 - Seery Invitational Golf Tournament, NM Tech Campus 575-835-5335

March 26 - Socorro County Arts Spring Open House, Alamo Gallery & Gifts 575-835-2787

April 1-2 - NM State Science & Engineering Fair, NM Tech Campus, Rose 575-835-5678

April 2 - Trinity Site Open to Public, White Sands Missile Range 575-479-6124

April 2 - Trinity Site Shuttle, City of Socorro Public Transportation 575-835-1501

April 2 - Very Large Array Guided Tours, 50 miles west on Hwy. 60 575-835-7243

April 2 - Friends ofthe Library Book Sale, NM Tech Campus 575-835-1114

April 16-17 - Tour of Socorro Mountain Bike Race, Camille 505-350-4116

April 22 - Earth Day Celebration, Historic Plaza, Socorro Visitors Center 575-835-8927

May 1-2 - "M" Mountain AYSO Soccer Tournament, Wes 575-838-5135

May 7-8 - Mother's Day Pow Wow, Sedillo Park, Donna Monette 505-881-8847

May 9-10 - NMAA AAAAA State High School Golf Tournament, Golf Course 575-835-5335

June 3-4 - North South A-AA, SHS Baseball Field, Alan 621-3825

June 7-11 - Socorro Open Golf Tournament, NM Tech Golf Course 575-835-5335

July - October - Socorro Farmers Market, Historic Plaza, Tom 575-517-0463

July 4 - Concerts and Firework Display, NM Tech Campus, Ronna 575-835-5688

July 8-10 - Magdalena Old Timers Reunion, Magdalena Village, Donna 505-401-4352

July 11-12 - Sun Country Junior PGA Golf Tournament, NM Tech Golf Course 575-835-5335

July 25-27 - Sun County Junior PGA Championship, NMT Golf Course 575-835-5335

August 6 - 16th Annual Socorro Chile Harvest Triathlon, Camille 505-350-4116

August 19-20 - Socorro Girls Soccer Cup Tournament, Socorro High School, Charlie 575-835-0700

August 27 - Rio Grande Valley CASA Golf Tournament, NM Tech Golf Course, 575-835-5335

August 27 - Toy Train Show & Swap Meet, Best Western Conference Center, Jon 575-418-7534

(Dates and events are subject to change; we recommend you confirm in advance)


Socorro celebrates History,Technology, Birds & Enchanted Skies

(Dates and events are subject to change; we recommend you confirm in advance)

of EventsSeptember 1-3 - Socorro County Fair & Rodeo, Socorro County Extension 575-835-0610

September 3 - Socorro County Fair Parade, Socorro Visitors Center 575-835-8927

September 15-16 - NMT Presidents Golf Tournament, NMT Golf Course, Colleen 575-835-5352

September 23 -25 - Honey-Doo Couples Golf Tournament, NM Tech Golf Course 575-835-5335

September 24 - "M" Mountain Fly-In, Socorro Municipal Airport, George 505-401-2391

Sept. 28 - Oct. 1 - 18th Annual Enchanted Skies Star Party, Socorro Visitors Center 575-835-8927

Sept. 30 - 0ct. 2 - San Miguel Fiesta, Parish Office 575-835-2891

Sept. 30 Oct. 2 - Chile Chase Golf Tournament, NM Tech Golf Course 575-835-5335

October 1 - Trinity Site Open to Public, White Sands Missile Range 575-479-6124

October 1 - Trinity Site Shuttle, City of Socorro Public Transportation 575-835-1501

October 1 - Very Large Array Guided Tours, 50 miles west on Hwy. 60 575-835-7243

October 1 - Oktoberfest, Hammel Museum, Bob Eveleth 575-418-8132

October I - Chile Proppers Model Aircraft Fly, Carl 575-835-4568

October 7-8 - Alamo Indian Days, Alamo Reservation, Angela Apache 575-854-2543

October 7-8 - 9th Annual Socorro Fest, Historic Plaza, Socorro Visitors Center 575-835-8927

October 10-12 - NM Seniors Match Play Golf Tournament, NM Tech Golf Course 575-835-5335

October 15 - Sevilleta & LaJoya Open House, 575-864-4021

October 21-23 - 89th Annual 49ers Celebration, NM Tech Campus, Colleen 575-835-5352

October 22 - 89th Annual 49ers Parade, California Street to the Plaza, Colleen 575-835-5352

October 30 - Hamfest, Socorro Amateur Radio Association, Al 575-835-3370

November 12-13 - 32nd Annual NM Mineral Symposium, NM Tech, Virgil Lueth 575-835-5140

November 15-20 - 24th Annual Festival of the Cranes, Bosque del Apache Refuge 575-835-2077

November 18-20 - Festival of the Cranes Arts & Crafts Fair, Garcia Opera House 575-835-8927

November 19 - Celebracíon de Otoño/5th Anniversary El Camino Real Heritage Center 575-854-3600

November 19-20 - Enchilada Dinner Fundraiser and Crafts Fair, San Antonio School 575-835-1758

November 19-20 - Turkey Tune-Up Soccer Tournament, Sedillo Park, Barbara 575-838-2525

December 3 - Christmas Electric Light Parade, Socorro Visitors Center 575-835-8927

December 3 - 8th Annual Luminarias on the Plaza Art Walk, Socorro County Arts 575-835-2787

December 10 - Shop Socorro AUCTION, Finley Gym, Chamber of Commerce 575-835-0424

El Defensor Chieftain12 ouTDoors • Discover socorro

Nestled along the banks of the fabled Rio Grande just south of

Socorro lies the expansive Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge — one of the Southwest’s greatest natural treasures.

Located on more than 57,000 acres at the northern tip of the Chihuahuan desert, the Bosque — as it’s referred to locally — is home to hundreds of species from mam-mals to birds and reptiles to fish.

And while this unique wildlife won-derland boasts extensive farmlands and riparian forests — perfect habitat for countless critters — it’s the 12,900-plus acres of moist bottomlands that serves as home to the Bosque’s most famed residents — the birds.

Tens of thousands of ducks, Canada geese, light geese and sandhill cranes make an annual sojourn to the Bosque del Apache, where the often mild climate provides a perfect winter habitat for these majestic winged, part-time residents.

As you move away from the water, the landscape changes dramatically. Rising from an elevation of 4,500 feet — where reptiles and amphibians share space with their feathered friends — up to more than than 6,200 feet, the riparian and desert habitat welcomes a wide range of mam-mals, including elk, deer, bobcats, coyotes and javelina, among others.

If it’s more tame scenery and sightsee-ing opportunities you’re looking for, fret not. Bosque del Apache is also home to breathtaking flora.

While it’s an easy destination to reach by vehicle, visitors will want to make a pit stop at the refuge’s Visitor Center where

they can get some friendly advice about where to go, pick up a souvenir or two and glean some knowledge about this veritable paradise.

In addition, a 15-mile tour loop offers hundreds, if not thousands, of spectacular viewing and photographic opportunities.

For those who wish to experience the Bosque on a more up-close-and-personal level, a network of trails crisscross the Bosque landscape. Strategically placed benches and observation points line the refuge trails offering respite for weary sightseers. Picnic areas are popular for those who need to refuel before hitting the trail again.

Three wilderness areas — Indian Well, Little San Pascual and Chupadera — boast plenty of options for hikers who want to further explore this outdoor paradise.

Numerous educational and instruc-tional sessions — intended to arm visitors

with knowledge and insight — are held throughout the year.

Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bosque del Apache NWR is one of the nation’s most progressively managed facilities. The refuge’s manage-ment — a team of talented and dedicated individuals with a wealth of varied skills and knowledge — works tirelessly to ensure the Bosque’s goal of providing habitat and protection for migratory birds and endangered species is achieved.

The management team is not the only group that makes the Bosque hum. The Friends of the Bosque del Apache, a dynamic and energetic group of volun-teers, operates with the singular goal of helping to ensure the refuge’s visitors — whether feathered, finned, furred or human — are well cared for.

So whether you’re stopping at the Bosque del Apache for a few hours or a few days, you will undoubtedly leave a lit-tle wiser about the Refuge, its mission, its inhabitants and the New Mexico treasure that continues to draw a flock of visitors each and every year.

The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is located approximately 10 miles south of San Antonio, N.M. Exit 139 off I-25. Drive approximately two miles and take a right on N.M. 1. The Visitor Center is located on the west side of the highway.

For additional information, call the Bosque del Apache NWR at 575-835-1828, visit the website at www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/newmex/bosque/ or visit the Friends of the Bosque’s website at www.friendsofthebosque.org.

Bosque del apache ... A beautiful site


DON’T MISS THISFestival of the Cranes

The biggest event held in Socorro County each year, the Festival of the Cranes will celebrate its 24th year this November.

Thousands of human visitors from around the world will flock to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, where what some call a “miracle of nature” occurs each year.

The event is a celebration of the sandhill crane’s return to prominence in the Rocky Mountain flyway. But other featured guests of honor are the blue heron, Canada geese, light geese, bald eagles, American coot, owls, swans, American white pelicans and others.

The festival is not just about viewing and photographing these fabled flyers. More than 100 special, festival-related events — from hands-on workshops to informational pre-sentations — are held continuously over the course of the five-day event.

Make plans early for this popular event, which is a col-laborative effort between the Bosque del Apache NWR, the Friends of the Bosque del Apache and the City of Socorro. Visit the Friends’ Web site at www.friendsofthebosque.org/crane, or call 575-838-2120.

November 15-20

El Defensor Chieftain Discover socorro • ouTDoors 15

DON’T MISS THIS

Sevilleta ... Ecological research

The Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge is about

20 miles north of Socorro and encompasses 230,000 acres, 200 miles of roads and 130 miles of fencing. The refuge includes four major ecological zones ranging from Chihuahan desert to the riparian forest of the bosque, and more than 1,200 species of plants call the refuge home along with 225 species of birds, 58 spe-cies of reptiles, 89 species of mammals and 15 species of amphibians.

The land belonging to the refuge was once part of the La Joya land grant under Spanish rule and stayed as a large block until it eventually came under ownership of Socorro County.

The land was purchased from the county in 1936 by Thomas Campbell, who oper-ated it as a cattle ranch for 30 years. The land was later donat-ed to the Nature Conservancy and then transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1973, and the refuge was offi-cially established.

In 1988, the refuge became home to the Sevilleta Long-Term Ecological Research Program, conducted by the University of New Mexico. The refuge plays host to dozens of research sites that monitor the slow ecological changes occur-ring on the refuge. At any given time there are 100 different

research projects going on at the refuge by students and sci-entists from in and out of state.

The Youth Conservation Corps is another summer employment program on the refuge for students ages 15 to 18 who are spending eight weeks at the refuge learn-ing about conservation work and helping with projects and maintenance on the refuge.

The students enrolled in the paid program, in addition to understanding what a ref-uge does, may also do things from planting trees, improv-ing refuge wildlife habitats, clearing streams to handling office work.

Another addition to the ref-uge happened in 2010, when 600 Gunnison prairie dogs were re-introduced to the ref-uge. The prairie dogs used to be native to the area prior to the property becoming a ref-uge in 1973, but most had been eradicated during the time the land was operated as a cattle ranch.

Although the refuge cur-rently encompasses 230,000 acres, the refuge is consider-ing acquiring 1,250 additional acres located near San Acacia, known as Indian Hills Farm. The farm consists of approxi-mately 600 acres of agricultural land and 650 acres of wild lands. The idea behind acquiring more land is to provide a habitat for

water fowl and cranes, as well as using a portion of the acre-age for public use.

For information about the research conducted and photos of animals and wildlife at the refuge, visit http://sev.lternet.edu.

While much of the refuge is off limits to the public due to the research-oriented nature of the facilities, the site does have a visitors center and a short informative hiking trail. Small sections are open to the public for limited hunting during the winter and for birdwatching, photography and other activi-ties during the summer.

For more information about visiting the refuge, visit www.fws.gov/southwest /refuges /newmex/Sevilleta/index.html.

Sevilleta Open HouseMost of Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge is closed to the pub-

lic, but some areas are opened up for special tours and hikes once a year at its annual open house. The open house will feature guided tours, hikes, exhibitions and lectures relevant to the refuge. For more information call 505-864-4021.

October 15


Socorro has many options for a quick picnic or a

nature walk within a few min-utes of Socorro.

• Escondida Lake: Located a few miles north of Socorro, Escondida Lake offers angling opportunities, camping, play-grounds, picnic facilities and rest rooms. Catfish are stocked during summer months and trout are stocked in the winter months.

• Box Canyon: The 320-acre Box Canyon Recreational Area is a rugged and scenic area that is renowned for its technical rock climbing and bouldering opportunities. The site is frequented by both veterans and amateurs, as well as commercial compa-nies that bring visitors from Albuquerque to climb at the site. Rest rooms are the only

facilities at the site.• Socorro Nature Area:

The Socorro Nature Area is an environment education area in the bosque north of Socorro. Two trails are available for a self-guided tour, one a half-mile

long and the other just over a mile long. An information kiosk, picnic tables, group shelter and rest rooms are available at the site. Groups can also reserve the site for events or camping.

• San Lorenzo Canyon: A hidden jewel tucked into the hills below Polvadera Peak north of Socorro. The scenic canyon is great for day hikes and picnics. There are no facil-ities at the site.

• Quebradas Back Country Byway: The byway offers 24 miles of great views with the luxury of not having to leave your air conditioned vehicle. The route winds its way from Escondida to U.S. 380, just east of San Antonio, N.M., and a stone’s throw from the entrance to the Stallion Gate at White Sands Missile Range.

• Riverine Parks: A dozen small parks dot the Rio Grande between San Antonio and San Acacia. There is access to the river and picnic tables, but no other facilities.

Nature Areas ... The great outdoors

El Defensor Chieftain Discover socorro • culTure 17

socorro’s historic plaza ... The heart of our city

Located in the heart of the city,

the Historic Plaza is the venue for many trea-sured events for which the City of Socorro is well known. Like the end of the trail, it is the Plaza where events such as the Fourth of July, 49ers and the Christmas Candy Cane Electric Light parades come to the end of their down-town route.

A roundabout adds to the enchantment of the Plaza, offering visi-tors an extraordinary view of the communi-ty park. The Historic Plaza’s charming gaze-bo, tall shade trees and cozy benches provide an inviting atmosphere where old friends gath-er and new friends are made.

A hot spot, the Plaza is the go-to place for music, socials, cook-offs, history and arts.

SocorroFest is but one of the annual cele-brations of the commu-nity held at the Plaza.

The daylong event is held every October, and what you will find there is live music, dancing, food and craft vendors, as well as homegrown fruits and vegetables.

Other events include the Blessing of the Animals, where our four-legged and sometimes two-legged friends receive the Lord’s blessing.

And if you are more

of a history buff, then the Battle of Socorro reen-actment will take you back in time and back to the Historic Plaza.

From posole cook-offs, Hot August Nights,

the Farmers’ Market to Earth Day celebrations and community yard sales, the events may differ but the location never changes.

However, like the seasons, what does change is the look of the Plaza — from cool spring-like colors when the buds on the trees are blooming, to the rich greens of summer, and the oranges and yel-lows of autumn. Winter sparks a different look as the glow from the luminarias light up the night at the Plaza and local artists brave the cold to display their work and offer unique gift ideas for the upcom-ing holidays.

The Historic Plaza is more than just a venue for events — it’s a magi-cal place, a foundation that brings the commu-nity together, maintain-ing old traditions and creating new ones along the way.

Your first stop ... Socorro Heritage and Visitors Center

Socorro’s Heritage and Visitor Center at 217 Fisher, just off the

historic plaza, is the central hub of plan-ning and organizing for a wide array of special events and activities sponsored by the city for the entertainment and enjoyment of tourists and residents alike.

Housed in an historic structure built in 1913 for the City Water Commission and later used for the Police Department, the Visitor Center is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m on Saturdays, from March to October. Winter hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,

and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. In addition to brochures for area

attractions, the Visitor Center displays historical and cultural artifacts, includ-ing portraits of Socorro mayors from 1883 to the present, photographs of the 1939 flood that devastated the town of San Marcial, and a letter signed by the notorious former lawman and mayor Elfego Baca. Visitors can watch short documentaries about Socorro’s Hispanic heritage, and purchase T-shirts, post-cards and other souvenirs.

For more information, call 575-835-8927 or visit www.socorronm.gov.

El Defensor Chieftain18 culTure • Discover socorro

san miguel mission ... A place of sanctuary

Founded by two Franciscan priests traveling with Don Juan de Onate

in 1598, the historic church now known as San Miguel was originally called Nuestra Senora del Socorro (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) and gave Socorro its name. It was abandoned during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, and rebuilt on the same site in the early 1800s. San Miguel Church in Socorro and six other churches in the surrounding area make up the San Miguel Mission.

Local legend tells the story that before settlers fled in 1680, parishio-ners took apart San Miguel’s solid silver Communion rail and buried it along with other sacred and valuable items belong-ing to the church. The buried treasure has been never been found, although many have searched, and as recently as 1980 a reward was offered for its recovery.

The story is also told that the mis-sion was renamed San Miguel in honor of an apparition said to have appeared during an Apache raid, of the Archangel Saint Michael standing on the church steps, brandishing a sword and frightening off the attackers.

In 2010, the collapse of a wall at one of the outlying mission churches, La Sagrada Familia in Lemitar, led to the discovery of dangerously high moisture content in the adobe walls of a second outlying church, in San Antonio, and in two walls of San Miguel Church, in Socorro.

Restoration work is under way at La Sagrada Familia, but the San Antonio church has been closed, and its fate is uncertain.

Portions of San Miguel have been closed also, however services are still held in the Parish Hall on the weekends, and in Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel during the week.

Although major portions of the church will have to be repaired, Father Andy Pavlak is determined that with the help of the community and the Commission for the Preservation of Historic New Mexico Churches, the building can and will be saved.

Contributions to the building fund can be made by calling 575-835-2891.

For more information about the his-toric San Miguel Church, visit www.sdc.org/~smiguel/.

Agriculture ... A ‘growing’ industry

Socorro County is the third largest county in New

Mexico and is primarily a farm-ing and ranching community. From raising cattle to growing alfalfa and chile crops, Socorro is rich in agriculture.

New Mexico State University Socorro County Cooperative Extension agent Tom Dean said ranching consumes approximately 60 percent of the land mass in Socorro County, with cattle pro-duction playing a big part.

“New Mexico produces a lot of beef for the nation,” Dean added.

Alfalfa and chile are two of the largest crops raised, along with a variety of others such as corn, Sudan, oats and winter wheat rotated in and out.

“Socorro has some of the best chile in the state,” Dean said.

And there’s nothing better than the smell of fresh green chile being roasted at local roadside produce stands.

What also makes Socorro so unique, Dean explained, is that produce grown by farmers is sold to produce stands in the county.

“It goes from the field to the produce stands, and people like it and keep coming back,” Dean said of the fresh chile and produce.

There is also a number of dairy producers, with approximately 13 dairies located at the northern end of the county.

County 4-H and FFA clubs are also very active through the exten-sion service and Socorro High School. These organizations par-ticipate in livestock and rodeo competitions at the County Fair.

DON’T MISS THISSan Miguel Fiesta

The annual San Miguel Fiesta honors the patron saint of the mission with a three-day celebration of music, dance and tradition. Events include Mariachi Mass, a procession from the church to the Historic Plaza, and the coronation of the Fiesta King and Queen.

September 30 - October 2

DON’T MISS THISSocorro County Fair and Rodeo

A four day celebration of heritage and agriculture with rodeo events, country-western music, livestock competitions, com-munity parade, carnival fun, gardening and home economic displays and plenty of food vendors.

September 1-3


Farmers’ Market ... Locally grown produce

The Socorro Farmers’ Market makes it easier

to get your recommended five to seven daily servings of fresh fruit and vegetables — as well as locally produced canned goods, cheeses and crafts.

The outdoor Farmers’ Market season begins in mid-June and ends in late October, when the first freeze occurs. Vendors can be found selling their wares every Tuesday, from 5 to 7 p.m., and every Saturday, from 8 a.m. until noon, on the Historic Plaza in Socorro.

The indoor Winter Market operates from 9 to 11 a.m. every Saturday from November through February, at the Socorro Community Kitchen on Center Street, on the south side of the Finley Gym Complex.

Satellite markets also take place on Thursdays from late July to late October, on the

Alamo Navajo Reservation and in the Village of Magdalena.

Deborah Dean, director of the City of Socorro’s Tourism Department, stresses the impor-tance of the Farmers’ Market.

“You’re getting the freshest produce, supporting local farm-ers, helping the local economy and you know the person you bought the food from — and it’s fresh,” Dean said. “Most of the time it’s picked the same day.”

Vendors pay a fee of $25

for the season or $5 per visit. Participating vendors are only allowed to sell products they have grown, caught or made themselves.

The market also serves as a social event, and often features live music, dance performances and cooking demonstrations.

“That’s what a farmers’ market is. It’s a social gathering,” explained Dean. “You know that every Tuesday you can go to a place and talk with friends, buy

some food, and go home and cook it. One of the benefits is that we’re here on the Plaza, the hub of the community.”

In recent years, the Women, Infants and Children program has partnered with the Farmers’ Market, offering nutrition vouchers to their clients for pro-duce. The Farmers Market is also involved in two nutrition-al enhancement programs for seniors in which they are also given vouchers to purchase pro-duce at the Farmers’ Market.

A Socorro couple started the Farmers’ Market over a decade ago. As many as 20 local farm-ers and artists participate in the event, which has attracted more than 600 shoppers at one time.

For more information, con-tact the Socorro Heritage and Visitor Center at 575-835-8927, or visit farmersmarketsnm.org.


HAMMEL MUSEUM ... Remarkable piece of history

The Hammel Brewery and Museum, formerly known

as the Illinois Brewing Company, was built in the early 1880s by the Hammel brothers after they headed west from Illinois and settled in Socorro.

The museum started out as a beer garden and progressed into a suc-cessful brewery. A June 16, 1893, Chieftain newspaper article, said the brewery produced “the best beer made anywhere in New Mexico.”

Over its years of operation, the brewery evolved into an ice plant and soda bottling plant after Prohibition shut down beer production in 1919.

Although electric refrigerators were introduced in the 1920s, the ice plant continued to prosper, along with the introduction of cola drinks, the Hammel’s bottled products for Pepsi Cola, 7-Up, Nesbitt and Grapette flavored drinks.

n See Hammel Museum, Page 21


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DON’T MISS THISOktoberfest

An annual event and celebration of the founding of the Hammel Brewery and Museum.

October 1


Hammel Museum: The brewery itself consists of four sections, includ-

ing a three-story section used for storage. The two-story section, the brew house, was used for cooking and mixing hops during the boom years.

Although Prohibition was repealed in 1933, the brewery never went back to making beer.

In 1986, Clarence Hammel donated the brewery, located on the corner of Sixth and Vigil streets, to the Socorro County Historical Society. From the original adobe building where the brewery first opened its doors to the later additions made of stone, the Historical Society has preserved the brewery as a museum, mak-ing it a “must see” attraction for visitors.

Eight rooms, each numbered, tell the story of the history of the brewery that once was a flourishing busi-ness for nearly a century. From the main office, where Hammel conducted business, to the mash room where the beer was made, the museum is a remarkable piece of history.

The museum is open the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, contact the Socorro County Historical Society at 575-835-3183 or visit www.socorrohistory.org.


el camino realinternational heritage center ...

A momument to ‘The Royal Road’

El Camino Real International Heritage Center, a New Mexico State Monument, honors the contribution El Camino Real de Tierra

Adentro — The Royal Road to the Interior — has had on New Mexico and its people.

Located between Socorro and Truth or Consequences, the center over-looks the still pristine desert known as the Jornada del Muerto (the Journey of Death), a 100-mile stretch of the trail where no water could be found.

When the Spaniards began their conquest of “New Spain” in the 1500s, thousands of Pueblo Indians lived along the Rio Grande in today’s New Mexico. Trails along the river connected these pueblos.

In 1598, Juan de Oñate led the first expedition of colonists into New Spain. Establishing a trail from Zacatecas, Mexico, to near Santa Fe, he fol-lowed these Indian trails in places and blazed his own trail in others. For the next 300 years, El Camino Real was the dominant road into New Mexico.

Over the trail came thousands of Spanish and Mexican colonists. Many of the old New Mexican families living here today are direct descendents of these early travelers. Along with these adventurous settlers came the culture and heritage of Old Spain and Mexico.

Franciscan priests and friars, the Spanish language, music, stories, and leg-ends; all of these cultural elements arriving over the centuries are what formed the New Mexico culture we know today — and a heritage unique to the rest of the United States.

El Camino Real International Heritage Center is open five days a week, and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. To get there, take Exit 115 off I-25 and travel east for about 3 miles.

For more information, call 575-854-3600 or visit www.elcaminoreal.org.

gran quivira ... Ruins of a lost society

Located in the far northeast corner of Socorro County, Gran Quivira

is one of three pueblo ruins that make up the Salinas Pueblo Missions, a National Monument.

Abo, Quarai and Gran Quivira were home to a people who lived in stone, apartment-style complexes for centu-ries until they abandoned the area in the 1670s. They forged a stable agricul-tural society and participated, through rule and ritual, in the cycles of nature.

These Pueblo Indians were a mix of two ancient southwestern cultural tra-ditions — the Ancestral Puebloans, or Anasazi, and Mogollon — whose roots date back 7,000 years.

When the Spanish came to the area some 400 years ago, they worked to Christianize the natives

and had missions built at each pueb-lo. At Gran Quivira, two mission sites can be found, although one was never completed. Remnants of kivas, used by the native people in practicing their own religion, are located nearby.

Gran Quivira, also known as Las Hermanas, is the largest of the Salinas pueblos and was an impor-tant trade center before and after the Spanish entrada. The people who once lived there were absorbed by other communities after the Pueblo Revolt of 1680.

Gran Quivira is located about 20 miles south of U.S. 60 on N.M. 55. A visitor center for the Salinas Missions is located at the turn-off in Mountainair.

For more information, call 505-847-2585 or visit www.nps.gov/sapu.


fort craig ... A Civil War battle site

Fort Craig was established in 1854, after the failure of the briefly occupied and ill-

conceived Fort Conrad, seven miles to the north.Like other forts of its day, Fort Craig was built

to protect travel routes and settlements from Indian attacks. The location was chosen to protect both El Camino Real and the Jornada del Muerto, both of which were primary links between the Mexican port of Vera Cruz and cities of Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

The fort is famous for the ensuing Civil War Battle of Valverde on Feb. 21, 1862. Many consider the battle to have been a Confederate victory, how-ever the Union forces held the fort and destroyed a number of Confederate supply wagons. What sup-plies remained were destroyed later at the Battle of Glorietta and forced a retreat that ended the Confederate push for military conquest of the West.

In 1885, with the Indian Wars essentially over, the fort was permanently closed. Nine years later it was sold at auction. It was later donated to the Archealogical Conservancy and was transferred to the Bureau of Land Management in 1981, but nearly a century of looters, scavengers and nature have taken their toll on the site.

ghost towns ... Gone but not forgotten

Many ghost towns are scattered throughout Socorro County, dating from the Territorial days before New Mexico became

a state in 1912. Some, like Council Rock and Rosedale, were founded on the promise of silver and gold, but were abandoned when the riches failed to materialize or the mines were depleted. Others, like Adobe and San Pedro, began as stage stops and trading posts that faded when trading routes changed over time. Still others, like Riley, were victims of drought or, like San Marcial, were drowned by floods.

All of them serve as reminders of Socorro’s rich and varied past. However, not all of them are accessible to the public. When the U.S. government approved the establishment of the White Sands Proving Ground in 1945, several ghost towns located within the missile range’s boundaries became permanently off-limits. In other cases, the original town sites are located on pri-vate property and can’t be visited without the permission of the property owner.

A Ghost Town Guide, written by local historian Paul Harden and published by the Socorro County Chamber of Commerce, is avail-able that gives driving directions and GPS coordinates for six sites that are open to the public and can be reached year-round by vehicles with two wheel or four wheel drive.

For more information, call the Socorro County Chamber of Commerce at 575-835-0424 or visit www.socorro-nm.com.

Historic Forts DayDiscover the forts along the ancient Camino Real de Tierra

Adentro (the Royal Road to the Interior), the oldest trail in New Mexico. The event includes living history reenactments of soldier camp activities including bullet making, black powder demonstrations, treadle sewing, open fire cooking and more. Held at the El Camino Real International Heritage Center 35 miles south of Socorro.

February 19

Celebracion del OtoñoEl Camino Real International Heritage Center will celebrate

its fifth anniversay with ongoing activities that include a caretta (wagon) building demonstration, living history reenactments, and a folklorico dance performance. The event will also feature a slideshow lecture on El Camino Real by Paul Harden, presi-dent of El Camino International Heritage Center Foundation.

November 19

DON’T MISS THIS

El Defensor Chieftain24 science & TecHnology • Discover socorro

very large array ... A heavenly experience

DON’T MISS THIS

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory, which operates radio telescopes from

Hawaii to the Virgin Islands, has the majority of its workforce in Socorro County, where it operates the Very Large Array.

The VLA consists of 27 radio antennas, 82 feet out over the Plains of San Agustin, about 20 miles west of Magdalena and 50 miles from Socorro on U.S. 60.

The signals from each antenna are combined electronically to simulate the resolution of an antenna capable of extending 22 miles in diameter.

The original Very Large Array was the back-drop to the 1997 film “Contact,” starring Jodie Foster.

Radio telescopes observe spectrums outside the range of visible light, helping scientists make discoveries that would never be detectable to the naked eye.

Using VLA technology, scientists recently were able to detect water in a galaxy 11 billion light-years away, track the continued expansion of a supernova that happened 140 years ago, and observe a distant galaxy that is creating 700 new suns per year – 200 times the rate of the Milky Way Galaxy.

In 2010, the VLA flipped the switch on retooled telescopes, with new electronics that replaces out-dated parts to become the Expanded Very Large

VLA ToursSpecial two-hour guided tours are offered twice a year at the

Very Large Array west of Magdalena, coinciding with the two dates Trinity Site is open to the public. The tours are held every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 575-835-7243 to sign up.

April 2 and October 1

Array. This expands the spectrum and bandwidth available for scientists to explore. The updates also increase the array’s efficiency about 10 times, improving its sensitivity enough to detect the weak transmission of a cell phone from as far away as Jupiter.

For information on the VLA and the research of the NRAO, visit www.nrao.edu.

The VLA is open everyday from

8:30 a.m. to dusk for self-guid-ed walking tours. A gift shop and learning center is located on site.

The VLA is also open on the first Saturday of every month for guided tours and family-friendly activities centered around a different theme each month. For more information, contact VLA Education Officer Judy Stanley at 575-835-7243.

El Defensor Chieftain Discover socorro • science & TecHnology 25

Astronomy ... A star gazer’s delight

The high desert climate of Socorro, and its location well-distant from

urban light pollution, create excellent dark sky observing opportunities year-round for both amateur stargazers and professional astronomers. When there are no clouds, the Milky Way shines overhead in the night sky. Given the ideal conditions, it’s no won-der that public and private star parties and astronomy workshops abound at the local observatories and many other locations.

The Etscorn Observatory on the New Mexico Tech campus, built in 1993, is run by the NM Tech Astronomy Club and is surrounded by earth berms to minimize light pollution from the campus and town. Telescopes include a 20-inch Dobsonian inside a 15-foot dome and a Celestron 14 on a Paramount GT-1100 mount. Etscorn is open to the public on the first Saturday of every month for Guided Night Sky Stargazing, and at many other times during the year including the annual Enchanted Skies Star Party.

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory is

at 10,600 feet on top of South Baldy Mountain to the west of Socorro, and is a prime astrophotography location. Although its primary purpose is for research, the MRO is open to the public on special occasions.

Twenty miles east of San Antonio is the U.S. Air Force GEODSS site at White Sand Missile Range, one of three deep space surveillance operations that track objects as far as 20,000 miles away, as part of the United States Strategic Command’s Space Surveillance Network.

Guests of the annual Enchanted Skies Star Party are given a rare opportunity to tour this facility, which is normally off-limits to the public.

Weekend workshops providing family-centered hands-on astronomy activities take place at various times during the year at the beautiful and remote Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, and the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.

For more information, contact VLA Education Officer Judy Stanley, at 575-835-7243.

DON’T MISS THISEnchanted Skies Star Party

Isolated from big city lights, Socorro is an ideal location for nighttime viewing of planets, stars and galaxies. For 18 years, Socorro has played host to the Enchanted Skies Star Party, a four-day event that features seminars, workshops, lectures and star gazing. While some events require a fee and advanced registration, some activities are free and open to the public. For more information, call 575-835-8927 or visit www.enchantedskies.org.

September 28 to October 1


trinity site ... Where ‘The Bomb’ was born

The sun rose twice over the New Mexico desert southeast of

Socorro on July 16, 1945. Trinity Site is the location of the detonation of the first atomic bomb on White Sands Missile Range.

On that morning at 5:29:45, the suc-cessful testing of the atomic bomb, that was three years in the making, was the beginning of the end of World War II.

Although what had taken place at Trinity Site that summer day was not revealed until after the weapon was used against Japan, the explosion was felt and windows were broken out of as far as 160 miles away.

Trinity Site is open twice a year to the public for a walk-through visit, on the first Saturday of April and October. Nestled deep within the des-ert terrain, visitors to the site will see ground zero, where the atomic bomb exploded, the base camp where scien-tists and support staff were housed, the remains of one of the tower columns,

and the Schmidt/McDonald ranch house south of the site where the core of the bomb was put together.

Buses leaving at regular intervals take visitors to the McDonald Ranch House where the plutonium bomb was assembled.

A monument and various artifacts associated with the test are available for viewing — such as a sample of Trinitite, a glass-like substance left behind when the sand fused together from the heat of the blast.

Although what took place at Trinity Site that summer day was not revealed until after the weapon was used against Japan, the explosion was felt and win-dows were broken out of as far as 160 miles away.

The site became a national historic landmark in 1975.

For more details on the site and requirements for visiting, visit the Web site at www.wsmr.army.mil.

DON’T MISS THIS

Trinity Site Open to PublicLocated on White Sands Missile Range, Trinity

Site is open to the public just twice a year. Socorro Transportation offers a shuttle to the site each day. Call 575-835-1501.

April 2 and October 1

Socorro is home to the New Mexico Institute of

Mining and Technology, origi-nally founded in 1889, as the New Mexico School of Mines. As the largest employer in the county, the university offers not only a world-class education to students; it also is an impor-tant economic cornerstone to Socorro.

The student population at Tech is close to 2,000. Graduate and under-graduate degrees are offered in areas such as science, technol-ogy, engineering, math, phys-ics, computer science, earth sci-ences, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, biology and chemistry.

Education isn’t the only focus at Tech.

Sometimes referred to, in jest, as a “research institution with a university attached,” the university has more than a dozen research divisions that allow for groundbreaking science experi-ments to be conducted.

From the skies, with the Magdalena Ridge Observatory located high atop Mount Baldy, to below ground at the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, scientists study how the world works.

The largest research divi-sion at Tech is the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center, which conducts anti-terrorism training and land mine detection. Socorro resi-dents are accustomed to earth-shaking explosions and deep booms that drift down from the research facility behind “M” Mountain.

New Mexico Tech is also well known among scientists,

engineers and employers — and that reputation gives Tech graduates an advantage in the

job market, often with higher-pay-ing salaries.

While educa-tion and research are top-notch at Tech, there is also an abundance of opportunities for students as well as community members.

The school has more than 40 clubs and organi-zations that range from rock climb-

ing, caving and off-roading to ballroom dancing and rugby.

The Performing Arts Series at Tech brings musicians and artists from around the world to Macey Center, where more than a dozen shows are per-formed each year.

Tech’s year-round swimming pool and full-featured gym are available to students and faculty. The university’s outdoor facilities include a rock-climbing wall, ten-nis courts and intramural fields.

In addition to all the aca-demic and community pro-grams, Tech offers classes to the general public through its Community College at Tech program. There are a multi-tude of courses to choose from including: fine arts such as pho-tography, ceramics and metal art, to classes that get your heart rate going like aerobic kickboxing and karate. Classes in yoga and pilates are also available as well as classes in dance, music and basic com-puter programs.

In 2010, Tech was ranked number 12 in the nation in the “best value” category by the Princeton Review.

To find out more about what New Mexico Tech has to offer, visit www.nmt.edu.


new mexico tech ... World class education

El Defensor Chieftain Discover socorro • science & TecHnology 29

The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral

Resources’ Mineral Museum is one of Socorro’s hidden gems. Located in the Workman Addition on the NM Tech cam-pus, the collection features more than 15,000 specimens, with a special emphasis on minerals found in New Mexico. Highlights include a collection of gold, sil-ver, and precious gems referred to as “Coronado’s Treasure Chest,” smithsonite from the nearby Kelly Mine, and a stun-ning ultraviolet-mineral exhibit.

Historic tools and equipment used in the mining industry through out time are displayed in the main gallery. Other exhib-its include meteorites, fossils, thematic displays illustrating the mineral wealth from the Las Cruces, Silver City, Bingham, Magdalena, Golden, Dixon,

and Grants areas, and more. Visitors may also purchase

specimens displayed in a case by the entry way. Proceeds from the sales are used to pur-chase new museum material.

In addition to the display gal-lery, the Mineral Museum main-tains a large reference collection for scientific research. Access to the reference collection can be arranged by contacting the museum director.

One of the big events of the year is the New Mexico Mineral Symposium. Celebrating its 32nd anniversary in 2011, the sympo-sium is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12-13.

The museum is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 575-835-5420 or visit geoinfo.nmt.edu/museum.

Mineral Museum ...A hidden gem

El Defensor Chieftain30 communiTies • Discover socorro

San Antonio ... A ‘Burger Town’

San Antonio, N.M., is known to some as the gateway to the Bosque del

Apache National Wildlife Refuge where thousands of visitors come every year to photograph the flocks of Sandhill Cranes and other migrating birds who make the refuge their winter home.

San Antonio is also the birthplace of Conrad Hilton, one of New Mexico’s ear-liest legislators and founder of the Hilton hotel empire.

Since the 1940s, when scientists work-ing on the Manhattan Project at the nearby Trinity Site stopped here for meals, San Antonio has been known as the place to go for a world-class green chile cheeseburger. For decades, hungry travelers in the know have planned their itineraries to arrive at San Antonio just in time for lunch or dinner.

The Owl Bar Café & Steakhouse serves up several slices of history with their World Famous Burger. While waiting — it’s not a long one — to get on the outside of a hot juicy burger, visitors can look at framed photographs and articles about the men who prepared the ground for the

first test of the atomic bomb. The beauti-ful hardwood bar that runs the length of the café came from the first Hilton Hotel. The story goes that after the hotel burned down, Civilian Conservation Corps work-ers carried the bar from its original site to the Owl Bar. It took them two days, and all they asked for in compensation was burg-ers and a little beer.

A tradition for many years at the Owl Bar is for first-time customers to write their name and home town on a dollar bill and pin it to the wall. At the end of the year, the bills are taken down and the money is donated to charity. So many visitors honor

this tradition that by December every year, the walls and ceiling are covered with the names of people who have come to the Owl Bar from all over the globe. In 2003, the Owl Bar Café & Steakhouse was listed on Epicurious.com as one of the top 10 burgers in America.

Across the street is the Buckhorn Tavern, built in 1943, and known to locals as just Manny’s for the original owner, Manny Olguin. Since the early days, the Buckhorn has been a place where people come to listen to live music and enjoy

n See San Antonio, Page 31

El Defensor Chieftain Discover socorro • communiTies 31

an outstanding burger. Manny’s piano has a place of honor on the stage, and since his death, people claim to have heard his ghost playing the piano at odd hours of the night. The tavern is still in the family, run now by Manny’s son, Bobby Olguin, a blues musician who takes to the stage every other Monday night with a band called Blue Monday.

The succulent Buckhorn Burger has had its share of accolades. In 2005, GQ magazine named it the seventh best burger in America and, in 2009, Marlboro.com’s “Nightlife Flavor Roundup” called it the No. 3 “baddest burger in the land.”

The Buckhorn Burger gained national attention again in 2009 when Food Network Chef Bobby Flay came to town and challenged Bobby Olguin to a Green Chile Cheeseburger Throwdown. Since then, people regularly flock to San Antonio from as far away as Las Cruces and Albuquerque just to eat the burger that bested Bobby Flay.

Which burger is best? Our suggestion is that you try them both, and make up your own mind. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.


San Antonio:

magdalena double truck

magdalena double truck


Nicknamed “Trail’s End,” Magdalena was once the

destination for those who traveled the “Hoof Highway.”

The historic Stock Driveway was a thoroughfare used by ranchers and cowboys to drive cattle and sheep from as far away as Arizona across the San Agustin Plains to the stockyard in Magdalena. The driveway was used annually from 1885, when a railroad spur was built connecting Magdalena to Socorro, through 1971, when trucking supplant-ed transport by train. The trail became a designated driveway by the Grazing Homestead Act of 1916.

The driveway was 5 to 10 miles wide and extend-ed about 125 miles west to Springerville, Ariz. Another branch of the trail extended from Reserve and merged with the main trail at Datil.

Cowboys could drive cattle about 10 miles a day, while herders moved their sheep about 5 miles a day, allow-ing them to graze along the way. Wells were drilled every 10 miles to accommodate the herds.

In 1919, as many as 150,000 sheep and 21,000 cattle used the trail to reach the stock-yard. The original stockyards are still intact.

The village celebrates

its history as an Old West town with its annual Old-Timers Reunion in July. Acknowledging its past, the Magdalena Schools adopted the Steer as its mascot.

But Magdalena also owes its origins to the mining indus-try. The operators of Kelly Mine, located about 3 miles south of town in the Magdalena Mountains, were at least partly responsible for bringing the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad spur to Magdalena, so its ore could be brought to Socorro some 20 miles away by rail to be smeltered.

When the mining ran its course and Kelly became a

ghost town, Magdalena absorbed many of its residents during the early 1900s.

Serving both the ranch-ing and mining industries, Magdalena was once a bus-tling Old West town. The post office was established in 1884. Several saloons and hotels catered to the cowboys, miners and frontier families that lived in the area.

Cattle rustling, shootouts on Main Street and barroom brawls are part of the town’s legendary history.

Even today, the Magdalena Trail Drivers Association reg-ularly holds Cowboy Action Shooting events a few miles

west of town.The railroad also played a

big part. Much of the town’s history is preserved at the Box Car Museum, located next to the restored railroad depot that now houses the village’s administrative offices and library.

Many of the historic build-ings are still in use, either as homes or housing businesses.

Today, Magdalena is a quiet town of roughly 1,000 resi-dents. It’s history, galleries and outdoor recreation opportuni-ties make it a popular tourist destination.

Magdalena is also home to the London Frontier Theatre, housed in the old WPA build-ing on Main Street.

There’s plenty to see and do within easy driving dis-tance of Magdalena. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s Expanded Very Large Array is just 19 miles west on U.S. 60. The Alamo Indian Reservation is a half-hour drive down N.M. 169. There are also numerous hik-ing trails and camping facili-ties in the surrounding Cibola National Forest. Deer and elk hunters also are attracted to the area during hunting season.

For more information on Magdalena, visit the Web site: www.magdalena-nm.com.

magdalena ... A real Old West town


The Village of Magdalena could not have a more fitting place to house the stories of its

early mining and ranching days than the Boxcar Museum. The museum is located in a Santa Fe Rail Road boxcar parked at the former train depot, which now houses the Village Library.

The railroad spur built in 1885, connecting Magdalena to Socorro, played a huge role in the village’s history. Until the 1970s, ranchers drove cattle from as far away as Arizona to the Magdalena Stockyards to be shipped by train, and ore from the Kelly Mine was transported by rail to smelters until the mine closed in the 1950s.

The Boxcar Museum collection holds photo-graphs, memorabilia and artifacts donated by resi-dents that tell the story of miners, cowboys and the homesteaders who settled the area. Museum volunteers are compiling notebooks of letters and photographs for more than forty area families.

The museum hours are the same as the hours of the library in the former depot: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday. The key is available from the librarian.

Old-Timers ReunionFor more than 30 years, the Village of Magdalena has celebrated its history

as an Old West mining and cattle-shipping center on the second weekend of July. The event includes a rodeo and street dance on Friday; a parade and bar-becue cookout and more rodeo events on Saturday; a pancake breakfast and the Kelly Mine walk-run on Sunday; as well as a arts, crafts and music throughout the weekend. One of the highlights is the crowning of the Old-Timers Queen, preceded by the parade down Main Street on Saturday morning.

July 8-10

boxcar museum ... Next stop: Magdalena’s past

DON’T MISS THIS


Nearly 30 miles from Magdalena on N.M.

169 is the Alamo Navajo Indian Reservation, an isolated division of the Navajo Nation.

Alamo Navajo encom-passes 63,000 acres in the northwest corner of Socorro County, an area that provides spectacular views of moun-tains, rolling hills and slanted mesas. Bordered on the south by the Gallinas Mountains, the landscape is dotted with chamizal and cactus, juniper and piñon trees.

Sheep can be spotted graz-ing in secluded sections of the countryside, even on the north side of “Unnecessary Ridge” — so named in a previous era when it blocked access to a trading post. Shepherd mark-ers still stand atop some peaks. Former homes (called hogans) and sweat lodges used for puri-fication rituals remain scattered on parts of the reservation.

Other evidence of the past can be found in petroglyphs painted on rock bordering the Rio Salada. Fossils millions of years old are imbedded in rock and shark teeth have been found scattered over some of the land’s flat, rocky floor.

Today, roughly 2,200 resi-dents live on the reservation and many of them carry on the traditions and language passed down from their ancestors.

How the people came to live at Alamo remains a bit of a mystery. It could be the Anasazi migrated to the area after abandoning settlements to the north. Another theory is that bands of nomadic Indians wandered from Canada and the Northwest — perhaps ini-tially across the Berring Straight — down the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The Navajo people — known in their native language as Diné, which means “the people” — meandered to

the American Southwest.The tribe probably sus-

tained themselves as hunt-ers and gatherers long before bands turned to shepherding and formed settlements.

The bloodlines of the peo-ple living at Alamo are largely mixed. The territory roamed by the Apache Indians and set-tled by the Navajo overlapped and intermarriage between the tribes occurred. Some resi-dents of Alamo claim to be descendents of the great “war shaman” Geronimo.

The Alamo people hold a celebration of their culture and customs each October. Alamo Indian Day is typi-cally held the weekend prior to Columbus Day.

Although rich in culture, Alamo is one of the poorest communities in New Mexico and it has suffered the affects of socioeconomic conditions. Much of its development has come in recent decades, with the building of a mod-ern school, courthouse, health clinic and wellness center.

The modern development that has come to the reserva-tion in the last 10 years is large-ly due to the Alamo Navajo School Board Inc., which has been instrumental in bringing services to the area.

In 2009, the T’iis Tsoh Mini-mart opened, providing the people with convenient access to food and gasoline. Previously, residents had to travel 29 miles to Magdalena for such services.

Housing is another priority on the reservation, since some residents still live in a traditional fashion without indoor plumbing and electricity. Tribal leadership is also working to bring a new senior center to the community.

Alamo is served by KABR-AM radio, which, for the last 25 years, has provided information

DON’T MISS THIS

Alamo Indian DaysAlamo Indian Day celebrates the heritage and culture of

the people of the Alamo Navajo Indian reservation. The event includes the crowning of Miss Alamo, a parade, dance, song, storytelling, cooking and weaving demonstrations, exhibits and contests, most of which takes place at Walter’s Park.

October 7-8

alamo navajo ... A ‘State of a Nation’

and entertainment to those who reside there.As a chapter of the Navajo Nation, Alamo is governed much

like a state in the United States. Decisions affecting tribal mem-bers and Alamo’s infrastructure are made by elected officials at the Chapter House — the center of the reservation.

For more information on Alamo, call the Chapter House at 575-854-2686.


Abeytas — North of Bernardo along the west banks of the Rio Grande, the small farming and ranching com-munity of Abeytas has ties to the Belen Land Grant of 1740.

Alamillo — Alamillo lies north of Socorro, on the east side of I-25 across from San Acacia. In the early 17th centu-ry, Franciscans established the Santa Ana de Alamillo mission at the Piro Indian Pueblo there.

Bernardo — Bernardo is mainly thought of as the place where U.S. 60 intersects with I-25. Navajo and Apache horse thieves, and later American ones, hid in the mountains to the west, known as Los Ladrones (The Thieves).

Escondida — Escondida, at the north edge of Socorro, boasts a recreational lake and a State Police station, despite its small size.

Farley — Farley was a proj-ect of the one-time train mas-ter at San Marcial, J.B. Frailey. Workers quarried limestone, loaded it onto wagons or rail cars, which were hauled to San Antonio, N.M., and connected there to AT&SF rail lines.

Las Nutrias — The Las Nutrias community exists on N.M. 304 between U.S. 60 and Veguita. In 1765, 30 families settled in an area known then as San Gabriel de Las Nutrias.

La Joya — Spanish for “the jewel,” the area just across the Rio Grande from the I-25 Sevilleta Wildlife Refuge off-ramp. Piro Indians inhabited it before the Spaniards came.

Lemitar — The small com-munity of Lemitar lies just off I-25 several miles north of Socorro. The town started around 1831, according to David Pike’s book, “Roadside New Mexico.”

Polvadera — Polvadera lies just north of Lemitar. The name is from polvareda, the Spanish word for dusty. The book “Roadside History of New Mexico” mentions a story that God told the people that the spot would be a desert if no rain came by Aug. 10. When it didn’t, they named the town “Polvadera,” according to the story.

Sabinal — Heading north from Abeytas on N.M. 116, the tiny community of Sabinal is the last stop before cross-ing into Bosque and Valencia County. Don Fernando de la Concha, governor in the late 1780s and early 1790s, estab-lished the idea of an Indian res-ervation long before the United States introduced the concept. The farming and ranching town sits on the west bank of the Rio Grande.

San Acacia — The town

of San Acacia lies east of Alamilla, between I-25 and the Rio Grande. In the area, a black basalt butte that was a landmark on the trading route El Camino Real carries the same name.

San Marcial — On the east bank of the Rio Grande between what is now the Bosque del Apache Nation Wildlife Refuge and Fort Craig. The town was buried in a flood in 1929. Today there are a few scattered resi-dents of San Marcial.

San Pedro — About a mile east of San Antonio, N.M. is the small town of San Pedro. Listed as a ghost town, there are still residents in the area.

Veguita — This small com-munity is located in a hilly area east of the Rio Grande in the northernmost part of Socorro County. Originally part of the land grant of Casa Colorado (sometimes Colorada).

other communities ... More places we call home

El Defensor Chieftain38 sporTs & recreaTion • Discover socorro

Golf enthusiasts enjoy the New Mexico Tech

Golf Course for its challenging layout, scenic vistas and value.

The 18-hole championship course is located just west of the university and boasts “M” Mountain as a backdrop. The track takes golfers over roll-ing hills and dramatic eleva-tion changes, while provid-ing dynamic views of the Rio Grande Valley.

Golfers will use every club in the bag to get around the 6,688-yard, par-72 course (5,887, 73 for women). The course carries a 71.0 rating and 129 slope for men; 69.7, 125 for women.

Trees line the well-groomed course, which features several devious doglegs and requires players to dodge water haz-ards. There are two dozen sand bunkers to contend with and 11 ponds, which come into play on 10 holes. The greens are mostly level but are known to be small and fast.

The signature hole is No. 10, which runs east of the club-house parallel to Canyon Road. Players strike their tee shot between a tunnel of trees that line both sides of the fair-way. Their second shot on the 371-yard par-4 is aimed at a green completely surrounded by ponds.

While the course is open year-round, it blossoms in the spring. The Bermuda fairway grass turns green, and when all the trees are in bloom the fair-ways become narrower and the course becomes more scenic.

New Mexico Tech Golf Course has all the amenities, including a well-stocked pro shop, men’s and women’s lock-er rooms, a driving range, and putting and chipping greens. The “M” Mountain Grill

serves breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages.

Typically uncrowded, the course fills up for various tour-naments throughout the year.

In 2011, the New Mexico Tech Golf Course plays host to the New Mexico Seniors Match Play Golf Tournament on Oct. 11-12. The course will attract the top teenage players in the state for the Class 5A state high school tournament May 7-9. The Sun Country Junior Championship Golf Tournament comes to NMTCG on July 26-27. Dozens of other tournaments are held through-out the year that serve as fund-raisers for local groups and organizations.

The Socorro Open, held Sunday through Saturday, June 6-11, is an official Sun Country PGA tournament open to professionals and ama-teurs. The tournament, known as the Hilton Open in its early years, will celebrate its 51st anniversary in 2011.

A side event to the Socorro Open is the Elfego Baca Shoot, one of the most unique — and challenging — golf competi-tions in the world. Golfers tee off from atop “M” Mountain, at an elevation of 7,423 feet, and play to a 50-foot wide “hole” near the base of the mountain that’s roughly 2,000 feet below and three miles away.

But most people prefer play-ing the championship course, which is challenging enough.

For more information on the New Mexico Tech Golf Course and the events it hosts, call 575-835-5335 or visit http://externalweb.nmt.edu/nmtgolf.

new mexico tech golf course ... 18 challenging holes

El Defensor Chieftain Discover socorro • sporTs & recreaTion 39

The New Mexico Firefighters Academy

is one of the best kept secrets in Socorro. Firefighters state-wide come to train at the acad-emy that opened its doors in January 1989. The training facility is the only state funded academy in the state.

Although the academy has a college campus look and feel to it, what firefighters experience is so much more.

The hands-on training facil-ity on the northern end of the academy provides firefight-ers the opportunity to train in commercial and residential fire fighting, flammable liq-uid fires, arson investigation, propane fires, crash and rescue operations as well as high-rise operations with the use of a four-story building used for rappelling training exercises.

Each training station at the academy is also self-sustaining and was designed by firefight-ers in the late 1980s. They took into account at that time the importance of recycling, and nearly 90 percent of the water used in training is recycled.

On a yearly basis, between 500 and 700 classes are taught, and for fire departments in the state, that receive fire funds, the training is free.

Deputy State Fire Marshall Reyes Romero said more than 80 courses are available to choose from with 21 of them being accredited, meaning they are recognized and accepted throughout the U.S., Mexico, Canada, parts of Europe and the Middle East.

Firefighters can also receive college credits with some of the courses.

Fire Academy ... A hotspot in Socorro


We’re going to let you in on a not-so-well-kept recreational secret:

Socorro rocks!Climbers from around the state, coun-

try and even points beyond flock to Socorro County to experience one of the state’s greatest outdoor recreational pas-times — rock climbing.

Box Canyon — a Bureau of Land Management holding located some six miles southwest of Socorro on U.S. 60 — boasts a wealth of climbing opportu-nities for novices, weekend warriors and seasoned rock jocks, alike.

Whether you’re a sport climber or a boul-derer, the Box will not leave you wanting.

Dozens of top-roped routes — rang-ing in difficulty from easy to daunting — await traditional climbers. For those who want a more pure climbing experi-ence, thousands of boulder problems stand ready to challenge even the most skilled.

The Box comprises 320 acres of pre-dominately igneous outcroppings. The porphyritic andesite, which typifies the popular Waterfall wall, is brutal on tender skin, but solid for making ascents.

Although getting to the Box is easy, deciding where to climb once you arrive provides the biggest challenge.

From the parking lot — where a devel-oped restroom facility adds to the func-tionality of the venue — roped routes and

stellar boulders, including Ultimate, are within a few hundred yards. Traveling north from the parking lot, Waterfall is about a half-mile hike.

For those who are looking for additional

challenges, a quick jaunt past the park-ing lot broadens the bouldering options exponentially. From the recently estab-lished Fight Club Wall to the consummate Unbeatable and the expansive Spook area, Box is truly a bouldering paradise.

Socorro’s climbing aficionados are constantly discovering new rocky trea-sures to ascend so “stale” is a rarely uttered word when describing this Mecca.

Climbing opportunities, however, are not limited to the Box alone.

Further west on U.S. 60 lies the town of Datil, where traditional climbers have been taking the sport to new heights for more than two decades. Climbs here range from easy to “there’s no way a human being could make it up that” routes.

Continuing on past Datil, Monster Island — a recently discovered granite playground — is gaining popularity and providing further challenges for climb-ers to tame.

To the east of Socorro lies the Quebradas Backcountry area, where pockets of lime-stone afford climbers yet another option.

Regardless of experience and ability, climbers are reminded that risk is involved with every route. Climbing with partners is always recommended as are regular equipment checks to ensure that gear is working properly.

The Socorro area offers a plethora of routes for those who are interested in mountain biking.

Many experienced mountain bikers pre-fer the roads and trails that circuit their way through the rough Quebradas hills just east of Socorro. Others tackle the high altitude trails that can be found along Magdalena Ridge or near Mount Withington.

For more casual riders, the ditch banks and roads around Socorro offer seemingly endless miles of trails to explore. Bikers can stick to shorter loops near town, travel north to San Acacia or south to San Antonio, N.M., in the scenic Bosque.

For up-to-date information on trails and accessibility it is a good idea to stop by the Bureau of Land Management Office at 901 S. Highway 85, or the Magdalena Ranger District Office in Magdalena.

DON’T MISS THISTour of Socorro

The Tour of Socorro consists of the grueling South Baldy Hill Climb, an 8.3-mile course that climbs nearly 4,000 feet and the Cerillos del Coyote, a course that winds through the arroyos and hills of the Quebradas, just east of Socorro. Event information can be found on-line at www.socorro.com/ssr/tour/.

April 16-17

rock climbing ... Ascending new heights

Mountain biking ... Fat tire fun


Socorro offers a many oppor-tunities for casual outdoor

recreation and there are a number of groups to link up with depend-ing on your interests.

Socorro Striders and Riders is one of the most active groups and regularly holds small events for area residents who are into run-ning and cycling, and some larger competitions that draw hundreds of athletes from around the state and beyond.

Many of the SSR events are designed to be competitive for par-ticipants at all levels of fitness. For current and upcoming activities visit www.stridersandriders.blogspot.com.

The Socorro Tennis Association had a wide range of players from teens to seniors. Players meet daily and tournaments are held once a month. Visit www.socorro.com/sta/ for more information.

The City of Socorro sponsors

sports leagues for both adults and children. During the sum-mertime, youth baseball, T-ball and men’s and women’s softball is played weeknights at Sedillo Park. During the fall and win-ter, the city has adult volleyball and youth basketball leagues that compete at Finley Gym, the city’s recreation center.

For young soccer players, AYSO Region 364 holds spring and fall seasons that play at Sedillo Park. For more informa-tion visit www.ayso364.org.

Socorro has a junior wrestling team and several boxing clubs for those who are interested in mar-tial competition.

Magdalena is home to the Magdalena Traildrivers, a club for those who are interested in Cowboy Action Shooting. For more information visit www.magdalenatraildrivers.com.

DON’T MISS THISChile Harvest Triathlon

Socorro Striders and Riders hosts the annual Chile Harvest Triathlon, which is part of the Southwest Challenge Series. The sprint triathlon starts with a 400-meter swim followed by a 20K bike route ends with a 5K run on a loop course. It has a seeded, time trial event start and follows all USA Triathlon rules.

For more information on the triathlon and details on the route visit www.socorro.com/ssr/chile/.

August 6

active interests ... Living a healthy lifestyle


With more than 800,000 acres of

national forest land located within the immediate vicinity, camping opportunities abound in the Socorro area.

The Cibola National Forest has six campgrounds for peo-ple to enjoy that are available during the spring and summer months. Arguably the most popular camping spot is Water Canyon.

• The Water Canyon camp-ground is a popular camping venue that was recently reno-vated, and has about 15 sites for overnight camping, as well as picnicking areas and a spot dedicated to a large-group gatherings. There is no water at the campground, but there are areas for garbage and rest-room facilities.

• The Bear Trap campground has restrooms, camping and pic-nicking areas, and trailer parking.

• Springtime campground

offers restrooms, and camping and picnicking areas.

• Hughes Mill offers rest-rooms, camping and picnicking

areas, and trailer parking.All of the established camp-

grounds afford visitors with countless hiking trails, wild-life viewing opportunities and other recreational pur-suits, including rock climb-ing, mountain biking trails and much, much more.

For up-to-date and com-plete information on trails and campgrounds visit the National Forest office located on U.S. 60 in Magdalena, or call 575-854-2281. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and offers a variety of National Forest and Wilderness maps for sale.

Since water is scarce, visi-tors are strongly encouraged to bring their own water.

See Directory on next page for area commercial campgrounds.

camping ... Get back to nature


Bosque Bird Watchers RV Park

1481 N.M. 1San Antonio, NM 87832

575-835-1366

Casey’s Socorro RV Park

1101 S.Frontage RoadSocorro

575-835-2234

Datil Well CampgroundDatil

575-835-0412

Escondida Lake ParkEscondida

575-835-2041

Montosa RV Park & Campground

U.S. 60, Magdalena575-854-2235

Santa Fe Diner& RV Park

I-25 & Highway 107Exit at Mile Marker 115

575-854-2784

Tom’s RV Park #4506 U.S. 60 #4

Socorro575-838-2075

Water Canyon Campground

Cibola National ForestU.S. 60, Mile Marker

123.5575-854-2281

The Western Bed &Breakfast/RV Park

404 First St., Magdalena575-854-2417

Visitors from all over the globe come to Socorro for

the opportunity to see sandhill cranes and other migratory birds wintering at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, but bird-ing on the refuge can be excellent year-round. A list of 377 species sighted throughout the year is avail-able from the Friends of the Bosque website (www.friendsofthebosque.org/seasonalbirding.html.)

In the spring, Barn swallows, Tree swallows and Blue grosbeaks are abundant. Cormorants, egrets and various waterfowl are common in the refuge’s many shallow ponds, while orioles, juncos and certain hummingbirds can be seen in num-bers around the Visitor Center.

At Water Canyon, 16 miles west of Socorro on Highway 60, birders can spot Scaled quail, Crissal thrash-ers and Red-faced warblers among the many species supported by the varied habitat, which ranges from

desert grassland to montane forest. Water Canyon is also considered

an excellent location to see noctural birds such as the Flammulated Owl and the Western Screech Owl.

Closer to Socorro, but also on Highway 60, is Box Canyon, where birders can see Montezuma quail, Grey vireos and many others.

North of Socorro, the La Joya Waterfowl Area and the Bernardo Waterfowl Area, both part of the Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex, provide winter feed and a secure habitat for many species of water fowl and the occasional bald eagle.

birding ... Feathered friendscampgrounds


Some of the most breath-taking views in Socorro

County are those that can only be seen while horseback riding through the numerous trails and canyons in the county.

With the Rio Grande River to the east of Socorro, and “M” Mountain to the west, rid-ers can experience a multitude of terrain right in their own backyard.

Dacodah Herkenhoff, owner of San Acacia Riding Adventures, said there is a tre-mendous amount land, man-aged by the Bureau of Land Management, open for horse-back riding.

“There are hundreds of thousands of acres to ride on,” Herkenhoff said. “Any kind of terrain you can experience throughout the country we have right here in New Mexico.”

So what makes horseback rid-ing in Socorro County so good?

Herkenhoff said the reason is that 90 percent of the time you can walk, trot and gallop in a safe manner because of the terrain in the area, where

in other parts of the country that’s not always the case.

“We have the best terrain for full-out run rides,” he said. “As a beginner you can experi-ence cantering on your first time out.”

In addition, the many can-yons, tucked away from fre-quently traveled roads, allow for riders to explore the hidden treasures visitors may other-wise not see.

“San Lorenzo Canyon is one of the most beautiful canyons in the world,” Herkenhoff said. “It’s absolutely phenomenal.”

And don’t worry if you don’t own a horse. SARA pro-vides all kinds of riding oppor-tunities to those who want to experience the thrill of riding. With 22 horses in the stable, Herkenhoff said their horses are gentle enough for even the most inexperienced rider.

For information on San Acacia Riding Adventures, visit www.acaciaridingadventures.com or call Dacodah Herkenhoff at 575-517-0477.

Horseback riding ... Saddle up and ride

back country horsemen ...

rock hounding

For rock hounds there are dozens of locations in Socorro County

to find interesting minerals. A stroll in San Lorenzo Canyon

can yield beautiful agates. Magdalena Ridge has locations with fluorite. Limestone outcrops in the Quebradas, and elsewhere in the county, have fos-silized shells and other sea creatures in them.

Many abandoned mine sites have outcroppings or tailing piles with unique crystals and minerals — but be sure to check whether the mine is on claim status first, and do not enter mine shafts.

For more information on sites around Socorro or mineral tips, stop by the Mineral Museum at New Mexico Tech first, or visit www.geoinfo.nmt.edu.

An organization that explores the great outdoors by horseback is the

Back Country Horsemen of New Mexico.The Socorro chapter received their

charter in 2006, and has been active in preserving trails and conducting clean-ups — all the while enjoying the ride.

“We are a service organization,” Socorro BCHNM president Tom Bryant emphasized. “We maintain trials and work to keep trails open.”

While anyone is welcome to join the BCHNM, as a general rule, you need to have your own horse to participate in the trail rides, or know someone who can lend you a horse.

The BCHNM members conduct two rides per month, one trail ride and one work project, Bryant said. In addition, they also conduct horsemanship clinics for those who are interested in learning more about horses as well as riding in the back country.

“Our mission and goal and purpose is to keep the trials open, and we do this by

volunteering our time, effort, and by edu-cating people,” Bryant explained.

Although there is some work involved in preserving and cleaning up trails during some of the rides, being out in nature, on horseback, is the only way to see some of the beautiful, New Mexico landscape.

“There are great trails here,” BCHNM board member John Young said. “We get to see petroglyphs and really neat rock for-mations. You get to go to a lot of locations you (normally) couldn’t go to by yourself.”

Bryant added that Socorro County is one of the best-kept secrets around, where five minutes out of town you can find plenty of places to ride horses.

“We live in one of the nicest places in the world,” Bryant said. “You can ride all year round.”

For information on Back Country Horsemen of New Mexico, visit www.bchnm.org or call Tom Bryant at 575-517-0413. BCHNM meets the third Tuesday each month.


An abundance of scenic trails and wildlife viewing oppor-tunities are available in Socorro to hikers who want to trek

their way to hidden vistas. Hikers have more than 200 miles of trails through the backcountry to experience.

During the warmer months, a honeycomb of hiking trails are available in the Cibola National Forest areas. The mountain heights help to provide cool relief for hikers during the summer months, but be prepared for rapidly developing rain storms and strong winds at the higher elevations.

Water is scarce and the New Mexico sun, particularly at high altitudes, can quickly cause dehydration. Hikers should pack plenty of water and dress appropriately for the conditions.

A half-dozen wilderness study areas open to hiking are within 15 to 30 minutes driving timee from Socorro for those who are looking for a more primitive experience.

Explore the narrow canyons and vivid sandstone cliffs on display in the Quebradas, which means “broken hills.” Each ridge and canyon offers something different to see as a jumble of geology creates unique rock formations and the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts meet in the Quebradas for an extremely wide variety of desert plants.

Explore hidden routes through the hills and valleys of the Sierra Ladrones that may have once harbored bands of robbers that preyed upon travelers of El Camino Real. For a greater chal-lenge, take an extended hike all the way to the top of Ladron Peak

for an unmatched view of central New Mexico.For information on hiking trails, one of the best sources is

the National Forest office, located on U.S. 60 in Magdalena, or call 575-854-2281. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and offers a variety of National Forest and Wilderness maps for sale.

Hiking ... Hitting the trail

Recreational flyers have access to two public airports in Socorro

County.Socorro Municipal Airport, located

south of town, has undergone several upgrades in recent years. The termi-nal was completely renovated and an Automated Weather Observation System went online for the first time in 2009.

Pilots can now set their radio frequency to 118.325 to hear the weather conditions at the airport, including temperature, wind speed and direction, ceiling, visibility, altimeter, and density altitude. The same information is available to pilots — or anyone else for that matter — before take off by calling 575-838-3993.

At an elevation of 4,875, Socorro Municipal Airport consists of two asphalt runways. Runway 1 runs east-west and is

60 feet wide and 4,590 feet long. Runway 2, the north-south approach, is 100 feet wide and 5,841 feet long.

The airport plays host to the “M” Mountain Fly-in on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Airport Manager David Chavez can be contacted at 575-835-4477.

Magdalena’s Ambers Guin Field is located a few miles west of the village

limits at an elevation of 6,727 feet. It has a natural soil runway that runs 5,650 feet in length and 50 feet wide. The airport gets most of its use during the fall and winter, during deer and elk hunting sea-sons.

Airport Manager Ambers Guin can be reached at 575-854-2462.

Model airplane enthusiasts also have a place to fly their planes.

The Chile Proppers model airplane club has its own airfield located on Energetic Materials and Testing Center property. The club holds an annual fly-in of its own, this year it’s scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1.

For information on the Chile Proppers, call club president Larry Vanlandingham at 575-418-0678.


on the fly ... Airports give aviators access

Aviation DayAirplane enthusiasts will enjoy the “M” Mountain Fly-in

on Aviation Day at the Socorro Municipal Airport. The event attracts dozens of planes, from modern Cessnas to old war birds. The hundreds of visitors who come for the event can walk the tarmac and get an up-close look at a variety of flying machines.

September 24

DON’T MISS THIS


Whether you’re into relaxing under a shade tree, reading a

book or engaging in more physical activi-ties such as jogging, baseball or basket-ball, the City of Socorro has more than six parks to choose from when making vacation plans or, for residents living in Socorro County, simply looking for a way to spend a day off.

Residents and visitors alike can take their pick of one of the many parks scat-tered throughout the City of Socorro. With amenities such as jogging tracks, basketball courts, baseball diamonds, a swimming pool, outdoor grills and picnic tables, in addition to every child’s favorite park attraction — playground equipment — you may want to take your time and visit them all.

Sedillo Park, located on Francisco de Avondo, offers fun for the whole family. Patrons of the park can choose to utilize the athletic fields, tennis and basketball courts, regulation horseshoe pits, two playgrounds, an Olympic-sized swimming pool or the baseball diamonds. The park also has a covered picnic area with out-door grills that can be reserved for private parties or celebrations.

Without even knowing it, children and adults can turn exercise into fun by bringing

along their own sports equipment, creating games and a little competition through these available outdoor amenities.

Even in winter, the mild temperatures

in Socorro make for year-round pleasure at all the parks.

One event you don’t want to miss is the Annual Easter Egg Hunt held the Saturday before Easter at Sedillo Park. It’s guaran-teed fun for everyone.

A new park addition the city offers is Clarke Field, located at the corner of California and Spring streets.

Clarke Field has a jogging track and skate park, as well as covered picnic tables, outdoor grills and playground equipment. Reservations can be made if you’d like to host an event or party.

Other public playgrounds include B Street Park, on B Street behind the Circle K convenience store; Western Hills Park, on Garden Circle; West Place Park on West Street; and Lena Jaramillo Park, on Granada Street off U.S. 60.

Although not as large as Sedillo Park and Clarke Field, these parks have plen-ty of playground equipment to entertain young and old alike, and are wonderful picnic spots.

For more information on reserving out-door grills for private parties or events, call Socorro City Hall at 575-835-0240 or 575-835-8927 for the Parks and Recreation Department.

city parks ... Outdoor playgrounds

El Defensor Chieftain48 arTs & enTerTainmenT • Discover socorro

Socorro may be small, with a population under

10,000, but it boasts an excep-tional diversity of arts and entertainment to rival any major metropolitan area.

The New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series, cur-rently under the direction of Ronna Kalish, has been bring-ing internationally acclaimed performers to Socorro audi-ences since the mid-1980s.

The list of artists who have performed at the NM Tech Macey Center in recent years includes Arlo Guthrie and Family, Leo Kotke, Tish Hinojosa, and Natalie MacMasters. Visitors to the Performing Arts Series have seen concerts by the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, operettas by the Santa Fe Opera Apprentices, dance pro-grams by the National Ballet Hispanico and performances by

the Golden Dragon Acrobats from China and the Shidara Taiko ensemble from Japan.

“One of my biggest priori-ties,” said Kalish, “is working with a statewide consortia of

non-profit performing arts pre-senters throughout the state to put together tours and make it worthwhile for artists to come our smaller venues.”

Another priority for Kalish,

recipient of a 2009 New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award for her contributions to the community and the state, is bringing performance art-ists into the schools to inter-act with the youngest mem-bers of the community. The Performing Arts Series is also a partner in annual community events from the Fourth of July Celebration to Socorro Fest to the Community Arts Party.

The Performing Arts Series concert line-up for the spring season includes The Lowe Family in February, the Irish band Slide in March,and Cirque Montage and Metales M5 Brass Quintet in April. For more information about upcoming shows, call 575-835-5688 or visit www.nmtpas.org.

The Macey Center is a spacious and versatile venue, and hosts not

only the Performing Arts Series but a multitude of other events and conferenc-es throughout the year. The 615-seat the-ater is used for dance recitals and school concerts, spring musicals and winter feasts, film festivals and workshops.

The large lobby and meeting rooms accomodate a variety of functions, from weddings and banquets to the occa-sional Sci-Fi Convention and the annual Mineral Symposium every fall. The state Science Fair and the Science Olympiad are held there each year in spring.

The Macey Center includes a 3,400 square foot art gallery featuring exhib-its by local photographers, painters and fiber artists, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery space is large enough to hold catered luncheons and the annual spring fashion show, and on some occasions, even local

arts and crafts vendors. For information about upcoming events or available ser-vices, call 575-835-5342.

The center is also home to classical music performance sponsord by NM Tech President Dr. Dan Lopez. The Presidential Chamber Music Series holds concerts four times a year, hosted by New Mexico Symphony Orchestra vio-list Willy Sucre. The concerts are free, and open to the entire community.

Socorro’s thriving local arts and music scene includes other venues. Visitors can enjoy many kinds of live music at restaurants, coffeehouses and bars, from country to Celtic to the blues. Events as varied as plays and poetry slams can be found on weekends.

For information about upcoming events, check the calendar listings in the El Defensor Chieftain, or visit www.socorromusic.com.

performing arts series ... Center stage

MAcey Center ... Top notch entertainment

El Defensor Chieftain Discover socorro • arTs & enTerTainmenT 49

The Garcia Opera House was built in

1886, in a decade when the discovery of lead and silver in the nearby Magdalena Mountains transformed Socorro from a quiet town of a few hun-dred people to a thriving cen-ter of commerce and indus-try, with a population of

more than 4,000.The opera house

opened on Dec. 1, 1886, with an event advertised as a “musical festival com-posed of 100 musicians, followed by a grand dance and supper.” Since that first spectacular extravaganza, the Garcia Opera House has been the setting for

events including masquer-ade balls, political rallies, arts and crafts festivals, school concerts, weddings and banquets.

For more informa-tion, contact the Garcia Opera House Foundation at 575-835-8211 or visit www.socor robanking.com/garciaoperahouse.

• The Socorro Community Theater has staged an average of two productions a year in the historic Garcia Opera House, from Shakespearian plays to modern comedies and dramas, every year since 1994. For more information about Socorro Community Theater, call 575-835-2564 or visit www.socorro.com/sct/.

• The London Frontier Theatre per-forms in-house plays and melodramas at the historic WPA theater at Main & Fourth street in Magdalena. For more information, call 575-854-2519 or visit www.londonfrontiertheatre.com.

• The New Loma Stadium Cinema on Manzanares Street is the place to go to see a flick. The movie theater was recent-ly renovated with stadium-style rocking seats, new curtains, new stucco on the building’s exterior, new poster cases and state-of-the-art digital video and sound systems. Movies are shown every eve-ning beginning at 7 p.m. with afternoon matinees on the weekends. For more information, visit www.lomacinema.com

garcia opera house theater

El Defensor Chieftain50 arTs & enTerTainmenT • Discover socorro

The City of Socorro organizes and supports a variety of activities all

through the year that make Socorro not just a great place to live, work and raise a family, but also a fun and exciting place to visit. Whether you’re a history buff, a connoisseur of art and culture, an out-door enthusiast or all three, there’s almost always something happening to entertain and amuse you.

Many city – sponsored events take place on the plaza, the cultural and historic heart of downtown Socorro. Several times throughout the year, city workers will erect a tent for a “Social on the Plaza,” show-casing local musicians and locally micro-brewed beers, and welcoming visitors who are in town for tournaments and sporting events, conferences and symposiums.

In the summer, the city brings in bands from around the state for “Hot August Nights,” free concerts with dancing that continues long into the night. In October, local and out-of-town talent come together on two outdoor stages around the plaza for the annual SocorroFest, a free two-day music festival featuring non-stop live performances, food and arts and crafts vendors and much more.

Earth Day Celebrations and Community Yard Sales are two more regular city – sponsored events that bring the commu-nity together downtown.

Other plaza – centered city events include the annual Luminaria and Arts Stroll, the Lighting of the Christmas Tree, and the Candy Cane Electric Christmas Parade, which ends with hot chocolate and a visit from Santa Claus.

The city also collaborates with other enti-ties to create fun and entertaining events for residents and visitors alike. Some of those events include the annual Community Arts Party in the nearby Finley Gym Complex, the Fourth of July Celebrations on the New Mexico Tech campus, and the annual

Festival of the Cranes Arts and Crafts Fair at the nearby Garcia Opera House.

Another event that takes place at the Garcia Opera House is the Victorian Tea and Fandango, a celebration of Victorian era styles, manners and music that’s orga-nized by the Socorro Heritage and Visitor Center in conjunction with the annual Civil War Reenactments of the Battle of Escondida, the Battle of Valverde, and the Battles for Socorro.

Other city-supported events that draw visitors from all across the country include Hamfest for amateur radio enthusiasts, Aviation Day at the municipal airport for pilots and fans of flight, the Chile Proppers Model Aircraft Fly for those who prefer their planes a bit smaller, and the week – long Enchanted Skies Star Party, for astronomers of every stripe.

The city also lends support to events such as the annual Chile Harvest Triathlon, the Mother’s Day Pow Wow at Sedillo Park, and Oktoberfest at the Hammel Museum, and provides shuttles to the Trinity Site and the Very Large Array Open Houses, and to cultural celebrations at the El Camino Real International Heritage Center.

For information about the many excit-ing things happening in and around Socorro, call the Socorro Heritage and Visitor Center at 575-835-8927, or visit www.socorronm.gov.

Mother’s Day Pow WowThe annual Mother’s Day Pow Wow is held each

May on Mother’s Day weekend, at Sedillo Park. The event includes gourd dancing, singers and drum groups, and a Chicken Dance contest. Food as well as arts and crafts vendors are also on hand, and it’s tradi-tional for all mothers in attendance to receive flowers on Sunday. For information call Donna Monette at 575-881-8847.

May 7-8

Plenty to do ... Enhancing the quality of life

DON’T MISS THIS

El Defensor Chieftain Discover socorro • arTs & enTerTainmenT 51

DON’T MISS THISSocorroFest

SocorroFest is a free outdoor music festival sponsored by the City of Socorro, and made pos-sible by the enthusiastic efforts of volunteers from the com-munity. The festivities begin Friday evening with a street dance on the Historic Plaza. Beginning at noon on Saturday, live music is performed non-stop on two outdoor stages until 10 p.m. Performances and workshops are scheduled throughout the day at various indoor venues as well.

The festival began seven years ago, as an opportunity to showcase the talents of Socorro’s many local musicians and enter-tainers for the enjoyment of the local community. Socorro now draws visitors from all over New Mexico and beyond, and fea-tures regional bands as well as

local musicians, playing every kind of music from folk to latin to country to rock. There’s truly something for everyone, includ-ing a harmonica contest that in the past has drawn entrants from as far away as Austin, Texas.

But SocorroFest is more than just music. The event

is held at a time when the chile harvest is still fresh, and there’s a wide variety of food vendors stationed around the Plaza throughout the day. Roasted corn, turkey legs and green chile cheeseburgers are among the items available for consumption.

Spirits tents serve alco-holic beverages to the over-21 crowd, including wine from New Mexico vineyards and award-winning micro-brewed beers from the Socorro Springs Brewing Company.

There are also activities scheduled especially for the kids, who can build sandcas-tles, play games and partici-pate in arts and crafts.

A popular feature of SocorroFest celebrates a 1953 proclamation declaring Socorro a free and independent state. Free passports to the Free State of Socorro are issued at the “Port of Entry” on the Plaza, entitling the bearer to special discounts from local merchants.

Come to SocorroFest and enjoy Socorro’s Free State of Mind.

October 7-8

El Defensor Chieftain52 DirecTories • Discover socorro

Anchorage, Alaska - 3,669.7 milesAtlanta, Ga. - 1,539.7 milesBoston, Mass. - 2,310.9 milesChicago, Ill. - 1,396.2 milesDallas, Texas - 724.9 milesDenver, Colo. - 522.6 milesEl Paso, Texas - 189.7 milesLas Vegas, Nev. - 586.8 milesLos Angeles, Calif. - 748.3 milesMiami, Fla. - 2,127.4 miles

Nashville, Tenn. - 1,299.3 milesNew Orleans, La. - ,199.3 milesNew York, N.Y. - 2,075.4 milesPhoenix, Ariz. - 378.3 milesSalt Lake City, Utah - 696.0 milesSan Antonio, Texas - 740.0 milesSan Francisco, Calif. 1,109.4 milesSeattle, Wash. - 1,532.8 milesSt. Louis, Mo. - 1,114.9 milesWashington, D.C. - 1,959.9 miles

PeoplePopulation (2009 estimate) 18,092Persons of Hispanic origin 47.8%White persons, not Hispanic 36.4%American Indian 13.4%Other 2.7%

LandLand Area 6,626 square-milesTotal Federal Land 2,318,458 acresBLM Land 949,396 acresForest Service Land 627,854 acresState Land 609,517 acresIndian Land 56,680 acresElevation (Socorro) 4,585 feet

INDUSTRYAgriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining 6.3%Construction 8.1%Manufacturing 5.5%Wholesale trade 0.8%Retail trade 9.3%Transportation and warehousing, and utilities 3.9%Information 1.4%Finance, insurance, real estate, and rental and leasing 2.7%Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services 9.3%Educational, health and social services 30.9%Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services 8.9%Other services (except public administration) 4.2%Public administration 8.6%

WeatherSunny days 280Average rainfall 8.6 median inchesAverage first freeze Oct. 24Average last freeze April 13Average high temperature Jan., 52.3; April, 75.7; July, 93.7; Oct., 75.5Average low temperature Jan., 22.2; April, 39.6; July, 62.0; Oct., 40.8

HOUSE HEATING FUELUtility gas 32.0%Bottled, tank, or LP gas 40.0%Electricity 10.3%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. 0.4%Wood 16.9%Solar energy 0.1%Other fuel 0.2%No fuel used 0.1%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geographical Survey, New Mexico Economic Development Department

vital Statistics

SOCORRO

132.5 miles

146.5 miles157.1 miles

73.5 miles 106.9 miles

206.5 miles

164.4 miles

240.3 miles

206.8 miles

138.4.5 miles192.0 miles

76.2 miles

Distances to citiesoutside of New Mexico

Distances to cities inNew Mexico from Socorro

El Defensor Chieftain Discover socorro • DirecTories 53

Socorro County Chamber of Commerce

101 Plaza, Socorro575-835-0424

[email protected]

Socorro Heritage & Visitors Center

201 Fisher, west of the Plaza575-835-2927

Socorro Public Library

401 Park575-835-1114

Magdalena Chamber of Commerce

105 N. Main St., Magdalena866-854-3217 toll-free

www.magdalena-nm.com

Magdalena Visitors Center

(Bear Mountain Coffee House & Gallery)902 W. First St.575-854-3310

Magdalena Public Library

108 N. Main St.575-854-2361

For Moreinformation:


SocorroCalvary Chapel 701 S. Hwy 85575-838-9535

Church of Christ1001 El Camino Real

575-835-2272

Cops for ChristNon-Denominational Christian Fellowship

Meets at Socorro Baptist Temple,

S. Fairgrounds Rd. #2575-835-3306

El Buen PastorPark St. Behind BLM

575-835-2172

Epiphany Episcopal Church

908 Leroy Pl.575-835-1818

Family Christian CenterAssembly of God

U.S. 60 and Fowler575-835-0185

First Baptist Church203 Spring Street

575-835-0041

First Presbyterian Church

304 McCutcheon Ave.575-835-0942

Hope Lutheran Church908 Leroy Pl.575-835-9648

Jehovah’s Witnesses922 Ake Ave. 575-838-2049

San Miguel Mission403 El Camino Real

575-835-2891, 575-835-1620

Seventh Day Adventist218 Garfield

505-440-9587 (leave a message)

Society of Friends (Quakers)

94 Hope Farm Road575-835-0013, 575-835-0998

Socorro Baptist Temple

South Fairgorunds Rd. #2575-835-3306

Socorro Unitarian Universalists

908 Leroy Place, Parish Hall

575-838-7114

St. Paul’s United Methodist

1000 Goad St.575-835-1372

The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints

El Camino Real575-835-0570, 575-835-4806

Trinity Christian Fellowship

1403 El Camino Real575-838-9000

Magdalena-Datil-Pie Town

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Pie Town575-773-4623

Community Church in Magdalena

Main St. at Fourth575-854-2364

Datil Baptist Church575-772-5577

First Baptist Church of Magdalena

Kelly Road at Poplar575-854-2389

St. Mary MagdaleneThird and Elm St., Magdalena, NM

575-835-2891

Veguita-Lemitar-Polvadera

Chihuahua Bible Chapel1 Carlos Maritnez Rd.,

Vegita, NM575-861-0008

First Assembly of GodRt. 1, Box 156, Rd. 6

ABC, Polvadera575-835-3817

Public SchoolsSocorro Consolidated

Schools700 Franklin575-838-0300

Midway ElementaryGrades K-5

9 Midway, Polvadera575-835-1098

Parkview ElementaryGrades K-3

107 Francisco De Avondo575-835-1086

San Antonio ElementaryGrades K-5

South Highway 380, San Antonio, N.M.

575-835-1758

Zimmerly ElementaryGrades 4-5

511 El Camino Real NW575-835-1436

Sarracino Middle SchoolGrades 6-8

1425 El Camino Real NW575-835-0283

Socorro High SchoolGrades 9-12

575-835-0700

Magdalena Municipal Schools

200 Duggins Dr., Magdalena575-854-2241

Magdalena Elementary School

Grades PreK-5575-854-8006

Magdalena Middle SchoolGrades 6-8

575-854-8011

Magdalena High SchoolGrades 9-12

575-854-8011

Charter Schools

Cottonwood Valley Charter School201 Neel Ave.,

Socorro575- 838-2026

Pre-Schools

Headstart239 Garfield575-835-0008

Socorro Cooperative Nursery School

304 McCutcheon Ave.Socorro, NM 87801

575-835-1336

Universities

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

(New Mexico Tech)801 Leroy Place

Socorro, NM 87801575-835-5011

New Meico Tech Community College

801 Leroy Place,Socorro, NM 87801

Cramer Hall 201575-835-6581

Education ... Getting Schooled

Warriorssocorro

steersMagdalena

Minersnew Mexico tech

church directory ... Where to worship

Abstract & TitleJM Abstract & Title Company Inc., 575-835-1997Security Title and Abstract, 575-838-1440Superior Title Co., 575-835-4743

AccountantsBeckham & Penner CPA, 575-835-1091Bookkeeping & Tax Service, 575-835-0963Caroline R. Hooper, Accountant, 505-761-0138

Adult & Children’s ServicesTresco Inc, 575-835-0204

AdvertisingDirectory Plus, 575-937-4482Local Pages, 505-264-7234PenGwen Productions/Steppin’ Out, 575-835-2127Sun Vista Outdoor Advertising LLC, 505-239-3125The Local Pages

AerospaceAerojet, 575-835-2070

AgricultureKelly Canyon Ranch, 575-838-1328

ApartmentsLoma Vista Apartments, 575-835-3393Socorro Village, 575-835-2330Vista Montaño Apts, 575-835-0500

AppraisalsWinton Appraisal Company, 575-835-1857

ArchitectGerard R. Brown, Architect, 505-877-2838

ArtsBJ Lesperance, 575 418-1848Curious Crow Art Studio, 575-835-4487Fullingim, Isenhour, Leard Galleries, 575-835-4487Georgette Grey, 575-838-0680NM Tech Performing Arts Series (PAS), 575-835-5688Pictographics, 575-835-2406Socorro Community Theater, Inc., 575-838-0379Socorro County Arts/Alamo Mercantile, 575-838-6047Socorro Picture Framing & Art Gallery, 575-835-3348Wild Horses of the West Art Gallery, 505-417-7005

Arts and Banquet Facilities and ConferenceNM Tech Macey Center, 575-835-5342

AttorneysDeschamps Law Firm, 575-838-0777Fitch & Tausch LLC, 575-835-0048Jerry Armijo, PA, 575-835-1400John Gerbracht, Attorney, 575-835-2520

AuctionTumbleweed Equipment & Auction Co., 575-835-2321

Auto RepairAll Around Auto, 575-835-2667Leseberg’s Auto, 575-838-4101Quick & Easy Auto Repair and Towing, 575-835-3215 Rudy’s Auto Repair, 575-838-2012Socorro Auto Clinic, 575 835-4611Southwest Auto Body LLC, 575-835-1006

Auto SalesMonette Ford, 575-835-1190

Auto SuppliesScott’s Auto Supply, Inc., 575-835-0550AGGI Bros. CarQuest, 575-838-4382

Avon Sales RepresentativesAVON, 575-835-2842

Awards & RecognitionAll About Trophies & More, 505-881-2504

BanksBank of America, 575-835-1569New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union, 575-889-2590Wells Fargo Bank, 575-835-2410

BasicAMEC Earth and Environmental Inc.,575-835-3026

Beauty & BarberHeLynn’s Mane Attraction Beauty & Barber Salon,575-838-4247

BlindsHartwell Custom Blinds, 575-838-1677

Boarding KennelsBlack Dog Boarding Kennel Inc., 575-205-2257

Body ShopsGoehrings Body Shop, 575-835-4792Hicks Body Shop & Towing, 575-835-2973

BookstoreNM State Fire Fighter Association Bookstore,575-835-9151

Business PromotionElephant Butte Chamber of Commerce, 575-744-4708Magdalena Chamber of Commerce

Business WholesaleJ H Enterprises LLC, 888-835-2353

Car WashCalifornia Car Wash, 575-835-1872

CateringChartwells, 575-835-6710Greens Kitchen, 575-418-1291

ChurchesCalvary Chapel Socorro, 575-838-9535Epiphany Episcopal Church, 575-835-1818First Baptist Church, 575-835-0041Hope Lutheran Church, 575-838-0540San Miguel Church and Missions 575-835-2891Socorro Baptist Temple, 575-835-3306Socorro Unitarian Universalists, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 575-835-1372

Civic Organizations & Community Service GroupsAnimal Protective Association of Socorro 575-835-2948Disabled American Veterans, Chapter #24,575-835-0843Fraternal Order of Eagles 4017 Auxiliary, 575-835-9952Friends of the Bosque, 575-838-2110Friends of the Socorro Public Library, 575-835-1114Literacy Volunteers of Socorro County, 575-835-4659Merry-Achi Christmas, 575-838-4696NARFE Chapter 1402, 575-835-2040NM Fiesta Project - La Familia Inc., 575-491-2448Save Our Bosque Task Force, 575-835-3516Socorro Amateur Radio Association, Socorro Civitan, 575-838-4716Socorro County Fair & Rodeo Association, 575-835-0360Socorro Lions Club, 575-835-2855Socorro Rotary Club, 575-835-1768The Socorro Storehouse, 575-517-7194

ClothingBrownbilt Shoe & Western Wear, 575-835-0730Jessie’s Fine Clothing, 575-835-1772

Computer Sales & ServiceComputers By LTJ Services, 575-838-0576

ConservationLaJencia Creek Conservation Ranch, 505-992-8316

Construction and ContractorsA-1 Quality Redi Mix Inc., 575-835-2417Blue Thunder Construction, 575-430-5363Christensen Construction, 575-443-3544William H Hall, General Contractor, 575-835-3636

Copy ShopCorner Copy, 575-835-9054

Welcome to Socorro! Socorro’s finest shops, stores and merchants

The Chamber recommends these businesses because they exhibit quality, reliability, and excellence.

Visit www.newmexico.org and www.socorro-nm.com

Socorro County Chamber of Commerce Member Directory



Business Directory: CyclesSpoke ‘N’ Word Cycles, 575-835-9673

Dance InstructionJulie Cottom’s School of Dance,575-621-9622

DentistsDr. C. Bonner Oates, Dentist,575-835-1623Dr. Duane Beers, DMD, 575-835-3662

Dog TrainingABC Dog Training LLC, 505-410-5810

Dry CleanerCalifornia Plaza Dry Cleaners,575-835-4406

Dumpster Sales and RentalDumpster Express, 505-899-3867

EducationAlamo Navajo School Board, Inc.,575-854-2545Coleman Academy of Irish Dance,505-720-6979Cottonwood Valley Charter School,575-838-2026New Mexico Tech, 575-835-5011NM Tech Community College,575-835-6581Small Business Development Center, 505-925-8980Socorro Consolidated School District, 575-835-0300

ElectriciansRoss Electric Inc., 575-835-1320

ElectronicsBraun Company - Radio Shack

Equine & Horseback RidngAcacia Riding Adventures,575-517-0477Sawtooth Mountians Adventures,575-772-5162

EquipmentAcosta Equipment, 575-835-3961

ExerciseCurves for Women, 575-835-2646

ExterminatorsMilton Ulibarri Pest Control, 575-835-2881

Fabric & EmbroideryBobbie’s Bobbin, 575-838-0001

Farms/Ranches/MarketsA & J Family Farms, LLC, 575-838-0802Rosales Produce, 575-835-3611

Feed, ClothingWestern Mercantile, 575-835-1155

Financial ServicesFarm Bureau Financial Services, 575-835-0555

Flea MarketSocorro Flea Market

Florists & Nurseries and Gift ShopsAlamo Gallery and Gifts, 575-835-2787Bambi’s Flowers and Gifts,575-835-2683Christmas Store Gifts & Flowers,575-838-0575Gene’s Flowers & Gifts, 575-835-0552Favor-It Things LLC, 575-838-0300Hope Farms Nursery, 575-838-4512Casa De Regalos Gifts, 575-835-0770Harold’s Southwestern Gifts,575-835-3231Sundance Gifts, 575-835-2498

HoneyBee Chama Honey, 575-918-1023

Funeral ServicesDaniels Family Funeral Services,575-835-1530

Individual MembersMary AguilarBill BashamSusan BieberCarol CaldwellShirley CourseyGeorge and Rebecca FunkhouserMary GillardLinda GonzalesCarol GriswoldGin JueJudge Ted KaseJudy LovelaceNancy MeyerDonna MonetteVanetta PerryBarbara RomeroDenise and Mike ShrumGerald WatsonClinton Wellborn

Furniture/Appliance SalesPlaza Furniture, 575-838-0499Hub Furniture & Carpet Co., 505-864-4536Aaron’s Sales & Lease, 575-838-2336

GardeningSocorro Garden Club, 575-838-2539

GolfNM Tech Golf Course, 575-835-5335Sierra del Rio Golf Course, 575-744-5135

Government AgenciesBosque Del Apache NWR, 575-835-1828Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 575-835-0412City of Socorro, 575-835-0240County of Socorro, 575-835-0589El Camino Real International Heritage Center,575-854-3600Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, 505-864-4021Socorro County Sheriff’s Department, 575-835-0941Socorro Heritage & Visitor Center, 575-835-8927Socorro Municipal Court, 575-835-2558Socorro Soil & Water Conservation District, 575-838-0078South Central Council of Governments, 575-744-0039

Graphic DesignCreative Graphics, 575-418-7113Lucky Signs, 575-854-2264MsWisWorks Computer & Website,575-418-8190

GrocersJohn Brooks Supermart, 575-835-1553San Antonio General Store, 575-835-4594Smith’s Food & Drug Store, 575-835-2101Wal-Mart Super Center # 5492, 575-838-1415

HardwareGambles True Value Store, 575-835-1230RAKS Building Supply, 575-835-1270Randy’s Ace Hardware, 575-835-1872

Health and WellnessHypnotherapy & EFT Services,505-259-8332

JCB Healthy Green Enterprises, 575-517-7613Light Moves, 575-835-1109Smart Health Now, 505-423-3267Tame Your Life, 505-350-4116

Heavy EquipmentCaldwell Equipment, 575-838-2020

Home Health CareRespite/Senior ServicesGood Samaritan Society-Socorro, 575-835-2724

HospitalsSocorro General Hospital, 575-835-8700

HousingSocorro County Housing Authority, 575-835-0196

HVAC SupplierMorrison Supply Company, 505-265-6102

InsuranceAble Agency Insurance, 575-835-3321Michael Olguin, Insurance Agent, 575-835-1331

Internet Service ProvidersSDC Internet, 575-838-1620

JewelryPainted Sky Designs, 575-418-7774Raychester of Socorro, Inc., 575-835-2454

Land ImprovementTierra Grande Improvement Association505-864-2345

LandscapingPM Trees & Landscaping, 505-705-5032

LaundromatCalifornia Plaza Laundromat, 575-835-4405

LeatherSocorro Leather, 575-838-3985

LibrariesSocorro Public Library, 575-835-1114

LiquorSunset Lounge & Package Store, 575-835-2289


Socorro County Chamber of Commerce Member Directory


LodgingBest Western Hotel, 575-838-0556Casa Blanca Bed & Breakfast, 575-835-3027Cities of Gold Casino Resort, 866-455-0515Comfort Inn/Suites, 575-838-4400Days Inn, 575-835-0230Econo Lodge Motel, 575-835-1500Economy Inn Motel, 575-835-2263Fite Ranch Bed & Breakfast, 575-838-0958Holiday Inn Express Hotel, 575-838-4600Howard Johnson, 575-835-0276Motel 6, 575-835-4300Rodeway Inn, 575-835-0211Sands Motel, 575-835-1130Socorro Old Town Bed & Breakfast, 575-838-2619Super 8 Motel, 575-835-4626The Prickly Pear Inn, 575-838-2286The Western Motel and RV Park, 575-854-2412

Mediation ServicesBeverly Junger, 505-507-5553

Mobile Home ParkMidway Mobile Home & RV Park, 575-835-1400

Musical ServicesE’Studio Piano, 575-418-5867I DJ Too, 505-715-9613Gretchen Van Houten, 505-710-2068

NewspapersEl Defensor Chieftain, 575-835-0520

ObservatoriesNRAO/VLA, 575-835-7000

OptometristsDr. Steven Woodard, Optometrist, 575-835-2020

Party ServicesClassic Sweets, 575-918-1023

PhysiciansPMS Socorro Community Health Clinic, 575-835-4444

Plumbing/Heating/Air-Conditioning/RefrigerationJaramillo’s Plumbing & Heating, 575-835-1679

Pottery and Gift ShopSan Miguel Pottery Land, 575-835-1028

PreventionSCOPE (SMH), 575-835-2444

ProduceSocorro Farmers’ Market Association, 575-517-0463

PropaneAction Gas, 575-835-0007

PublicationsThe Ink, 575-541-9770

Publishing Your Host NM – Diamond Publishing, 505-268-1793

Radio StationsKUFR Family Radio (KXFR 91.9), 866-359-3147

RealtorsUnited Country - New Mexico Property Connection, 505-990-6180Coldwell Banker Legacy, Realtor, 575-835-1422Highland Springs Ranch, 575-835-9581Home & Country Realty, 575-838-4663ERA Pargin Realty, 575-835-0888Old Westland Realty, 575-854-2240Richardson Development Co., 575-835-2835Betsy Smith, 575-835-8158Socorro Plaza Realty, 505-835-2498

RecyclingMorning Woodcutters, 575-838-2202

RestaurantsAcosta’s Mexican Restaurant, 575-835-1688Barbara’s Dream Kitchen, 575-835-1234Bear Mountain Coffeehouse & Gallery, 575-854-3310Blake’s Lotaburger, 575-835-2473Buckhorn Tavern, 575-835-4423Denny’s Restaurant, 575-835-2504Domino’s Pizza, 575-838-1111Don Juan’s Cocina, 575-835-9967El Camino Restaurant, 575-835-1180El Sombrero Restaurant, 575-835-3945Escondida Grill, 575-838-2423K-Bob’s Socorro, 575-835-2900Lander’s Enterprises, 575-835-2678LJ’s Branding Iron BBQ, 575-835-3663Manzanares Street Coffeehouse, 575-838-0809McDonald’s Restaurant, 575-835-3684Old Town BistroOwl Bar Café & Steakhouse, 575-835-9946Socorro Springs Restaurant & Brewery, 575-838-0650Sofia’s Kitchen, 575-835-0022Sonic Drive-In, 575-835-2413Subway

Road Maintenance Blue Collar Construction LLC, 505-553-0651

SaloonsCapitol Bar, 575-835-1193

Self-StorageEZ Self-Storage by Tripps, 575-835-2465

Septic Tanks & Service and ConstructionS.M.A. Enterprises, 575-835-2417

Skin Care SalesJAFRA, 575-854-3783

Sports OrganizationsAYSO, 575-838-5135

SurveyingJaramillo Land Surveying, 575-835-4375

Telecommunication ServicesIntegrated Technologies 575-835-2743

Television/CableComcast Cable, 575-835-2424

Therapy/RehabilitationDivision of Vocational Rehabilitation, 575-835-4243Socorro Mental Health Foundation, 575-835-2444

Thrift StoreSecond Hand Rose (SMH), 575-835-2090

TiresT & T Tires, 575-835-1243

Trade for ads/storiesNew Mexico Tech- Paydirt

Trash HaulingCaldwell Disposal, 575-838-2020

Travel AgenciesParadise Travel, 575-835-2929

UtilitiesSocorro Electric Cooperative, 575-835-0560Sun Zia Southwestern LLC, 602-808-2004

Vacation Rentals & LodgingHome Away NM Vacation Rentals, 888-771-3010Rancho Magdalena Bed and Breakfast, 575-854-3091Vacation Home Rentals, 800-710-2755

VeterinariansAnimal Haven Veterinary Clinic, 575-835-3545Ark of Socorro Veterinary Clinic, 575-835-9002

Video Rental/Tanning/CigarettesVideo Shack, 575-835-3913

Water and IceThe Water & Ice Store, 575-838-9283

Website ResourcesWeb Witchcraft Publishing, 575-838-0784

Wild Horse ProtectionNew Mexican Horse Project, 505-417-7005


Business Directory: Socorro County Chamber of Commerce Member Directory


Magdalena

El Defensor Chieftain Discover socorro & surrounDing areas 61

Socorro CountyMap

Map by Paul Harden


Documents

Discover Socorro and surrounding areas: 2011 Visitors Guide