Old West Trails 2001-02

T R A I L S

THE COMMUNITIES OF SILVER CITY, DEMING, LAS CRUCES, TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, SOCORRO, LORDSBURG, RESERVE

Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum

PlaywrightMark Medoff

Gila Cliff Dwellings

Ghost Towns

Register for the$2000 VacationGetaway... detailson page 9

Contents

16 New Mexico Farm & RanchHeritage Museum

Three thousand years of agricultural his-tory are highlighted at New Mexico

Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in LasCruces.The bronze sculpture at the muse-um entrance titled "Sabe las Reatas – HeKnows the Ropes", featured on the coverof Old West Trails, was sculpted by Bill

Curry. The piece was donated to themuseum by Phillip and Yetta Bidegain.

Las Cruces 2History, culture, technology,

world-class entertainment and abeautiful valley invite both talentand industry to New Mexico’s

second largest city.

Celebrity Profile 6Academy Award Playwright

Nominee Mark Medoff continues to write, direct andact in southern New Mexico.

La Mesilla 12The 1850’s regional headquartersfor the Butterfield Stage maintainsits charm as a shopping and din-

ing destination.

Deming 18Rockhound Roundup and theGreat American Duck Race

draw visitors to a land of cleanwater and ancient pottery.

Lordsburg 20Authentic ghost towns keepAmerican history alive in southwest New Mexico.

table of

Published by: Zia Publishing Corp.400 N. Arizona Street Silver City, NM88061 505-388-3966Fax: 505-388-8784 133 W. Booth StreetSanta Fe, NM 87501 505-471-0110Fax: 505-471-0777

President Joseph Burgess Managing Director Terri MengesCreative Director Todd YochamStaff AccountantArlyn CooleySenior DesignerJeannette Alvo

DesignersJoseph FischerPamela HuertaPaul OrtegaPhotographyJoseph BurgessProductionCoordinatorCassandra ColleyArt InternTanicia Ortega

Contributing WritersJoseph Burgess Erin GriffithS. Derrickson MooreCopy EditorsJim MadsenNorth JohnsonAdvertising Sales Judith LeybaToni Wetzel

Mountain SpiritManagerRichard NoyesDistributionKeith LeMayE-Mail:[email protected] Websites:www.nmtraveler.comwww.mtspirit.com

Published exclusively forOld West Country as a supplement to

New Mexico Traveler

Old West Country P.O. Box 884

Silver City, NM 880621-800-290-8330

Website: www.oldwestcountry.comE-mail: [email protected]

PresidentRebecca Richens

Lordsburg Chamber of CommerceExecutive Director

Keith LeMay

Serving the communities of: Deming

800 East Pine • Deming, NM 880311-800-848-4955

[email protected] Cruces

211 N. Water Street • Las Cruces, NM 880011-800-FIESTAS • 505-541-2444

e-mail: [email protected]

117 East 2nd Street. • Lordsburg, NM 88045505-542-9864

www.gilanet.com/[email protected]

GlenwoodPO Box 183 • Glenwood, NM 88039

505-539-2711www.gilanet.com/[email protected]

ReserveP.O. Box 415 • Reserve, NM 87830

www.gilanet/[email protected]

Silver City201 N. Hudson StreetSilver City, NM 88061

1-800-548-9378www.silvercity.org

[email protected]

101 Plaza, P. O. Box 743Socorro, NM 87801

505-835-0424www.socorro-nm.com

[email protected] or Consequences

PO Box 31 Truth or Consequences, NM 87901

1-800-831-9487http://village.globaldrum.com/sierra_newmexico/

Old WestT R A I L S

Old West

www.silvercity.ccwww.ziadesign.com

Old West Trails is a supplement to NewMexico Traveler and is manufactured andprinted in the United States of America.All rights reserved. Reproduction in wholeor part without permission of the publisheris prohibited. All submissions of editorial orphotography are only accepted without riskto the publisher for loss or damage.

22 Silver CityFine and performing arts and historyset against a backdrop of sprawlingwilderness forests make Silver Cityone of the nation’s best small towns.

32 Pinos Altos& GlenwoodMountain villages that are full of surprises, excitement and scenic grandure.

34 The GilaAncient Indian Dwellings deep in the heart of the America’s firstdesignated wilderness area.

36 SocorroMigrating birds on the Rio Grandeand space age radiotelescopes ofthe Very Large Array keep man’simagination in tune with MotherNature... and beyond.

38 Truth or ConsequencesHot mineral baths were frequentedby Apache warrior Geronimo untilthe white man finally realized thevalue of the waters.

Old West Trails 2001 New Mexico TravelerOWT1

Old West Country keeps the spirit of the 1800’s alive in southwestern New

Mexico. Ghost towns and forts, historic plazas, ancient ruins, gunfightin'

saloons and Apache strongholds are the scenes where it all began. Imagine

yourself in a covered wagon or a gold rush setting, searching for fame, fortune

and. . . love? Those were the days of diamond swindles, Confederate battles,

outlaws bustin' out of jails, and romantic escapades.

A hundred and fifty years later, life has eased up a bit, with the arrival of the

railroad and the automobile. In fact, the favorite pastime has become

eavesdropping on other planets and galaxies, with the space age "ears" of the

Very Large Array. The state's largest recreational lakes, bird sanctuaries, and

some of its best mountain streams and trails have offered a quality of life that

was only in the dreams of early settlers.

Come to Old West Country prepared to exit the freeways, to find the galleries

and the art of the Southwest, to locate the origin of the nation's chile revolution

(or any of the Southwest's tantalizing Mexican food restaurants), and to

experience the rugged terrain that protected Indians and outlaws alike. Life just

doesn't get any better than "livin' it up" in Old West Country.

For more information, visit our website at www.oldwestcountry.com.

Old West Country

OWT22001 New Mexico Traveler Old West Trails

L Las Cruces is a crossroads of interstate

highways and railroads, a crossroads of the

historic El Camino Real and the Butterfield

Trails and certainly a crossroads of many

cultures. New Mexico’s second largest city

spreads out before the rugged spires of the

picturesque Organ Mountains and continues

to provide support for its historic roles in

tourism and trade.

Today in Las Cruces, the rapidly grow-

ing manufacturing, farming, processing and

high tech community still maintains its

Spanish, Mexican and Old West flavor.

While New Mexico State University and

local Las Cruces businesses maintain close

ties with the technologically advanced opera-

tions at White Sands Missile Range on the

east side of the Organ Mountains, Mesilla

Valley fiestas and processions keep alive the

customs of bygone eras.

Building the world’s largest enchilada at

The Whole Enchilada Fiesta draws over

200,000 people to cooking contests, music,

dancing and a parade. The city’s largest fiesta

is held in the Downtown Mall in October.

The cultural aspects of the community

have kept pace with the population growth.

The lyric opera, symphony, ballet and com-

munity chorus have enhanced the expanding

development of the arts. Both the community

and university theaters reproduce full playbills

each season. Academy Award playwright

nominee Mark Medoff (Children of a Lesser

God) continuously works with productions

LAS CRUCESMarch Border Book Festival.

388-8784.April Main Street Las Cruces Festival.

523-6403.May New Mexico Wine & Chile War

Festival. 646-4543.June San Juan Fiesta. 526-8171.July Annual 4th of July Electric Light

Parade, Celebration, Concert& Fireworks Display. 528-3149.

Sept. New Mexico Wine Harvest Festival. 1-800-343-7827

Oct. The Whole Enchilada Fiesta. 524-6832.La Viña Wine Fiesta. 1-800-343-7827.Las Cruces Air Fair. 1-800-343-7827.

Nov. Annual Renaissance Crafts/Fair. 523-6403.6th Annual Intel Mariachi Concert. 525-1735.

Dec. Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 526-8171.

E V E N T S


(Above) Our Lady of Health Church typifies centuries of Spanish and Mexican influence on Las Cruces.(Left, top) Estampa de Mejico Ballet Folkloricoperforms at Court Youth Center.(Left, bottom) Horse drawn wagon rides are partof the New Mexico Wine and Chile War Festival.

premiering at the University Theater.

The Fountain Theater shows classic,

foreign and art films, while area muse-

ums detail the development of the val-

ley. The log cabin museum near the

downtown mall and Ft. Selden State

Monument on the Rio Grande depict

living conditions for settlers and soldiers

in the 1800’s, including the famed

Buffalo Soldiers who were stationed at

the fort. The Farm and Ranch Heritage

Convention & Visitors Bureau • 211 N. Water Street, Dept. NMT1/01 • Las Cruces, NM 88001

1-800-FIESTAS • TTY (505) 541-2142 • Fax (505) 541-2164

www.lascrucescvb.org • [email protected]

Come for the History...Stay for the Fun!HISTORY

• Visit Old Mesilla - an 1800’s villagewhere Billy the Kid was tried for murder.

• Pueblo Indians drive Spaniards southward to Southern New Mexico and Paso del Norte. (1680)

• Visit Ft. Selden - the former home of the Buffalo Soldiers who protected theMesilla Valley from Indian attacks.

• Don Juan de Oñate reaches New Mexico territory. (1598)

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed. (1848)

• Las Cruces has long been known for its festive moods and friendly attitudes. Let us show you our hospitality.

FUN• Visit the many gift shops, restaurants, and galleries in Old Mesilla.

• Visit the N.M. Farm & Ranch HeritageMuseum to learn the 3,000 year old story of agriculture in New Mexico. See theantique farm equipment. At the dairy barn, see live cow milking demonstra-tions.

• Great weather - 350 days of sunshine!

• Great scenery - the rugged spires of the Organ Mountains form the perfectbackdrop for a place where the legendsof the Old West blend with today’sdreams.

• The Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market - rated one of the top 10 open airmarkets in the U.S.A. Locally hand-craftedmerchandise & home-grown produce is sold every Wed. & Sat. morning.

&

N E W M E X I C ON E W M E X I C O


Museum on Dripping Springs Road

depicts the history of New Mexico’s

farming community for the last 3000

years. Displays, demonstrations,

animals and equipment make this

47-acre interactive museum one of

the state’s most exciting.

New Mexico’s Spanish colonists

passed through the Mesilla Valley over

400 years ago. El Camino Real was

established by the Spaniards and

remained the link between New

Mexico’s provincial capital of Santa Fe

and Mexico’s northern trade center of

Chihuahua City through periods of

Spanish and Mexican rule.

In 1830, Apache warriors attacked

a group of travelers on El Camino Real

and in 1849, the crosses that marked

their graves became the basis of the

community’s name, Las Cruces.

Throughout the 1800’s settlers,

adventurers and entrepreneurs crossed

El Camino Real, on the Butterfield

Trail, enroute to Arizona and

California. Mining attracted a few

settlers to the Las Cruces area in the

late 1800’s, but it was the arrival of

C A R E E R OPPORTUNITIES

TOLL FREE JOB LINE: 877-505-6289

FAX: 505-388-1127

the railroad in 1881 that ignited the

development of the Mesilla Valley.

For the visitor, scenic and

challenging hiking trails abound in the

Organ Mountains and La Mesilla’s

historic plaza offers excellent shopping

for southwestern wares. Las Cruces is

centrally located for day trips to

Juárez, Mexico; White Sands National

Monument; Elephant Butte Lake State

Park; the Gila Cliff Dwellings

National Monument and the historic

community of Silver City.


LOCATIONJunction of I-10 and I-25 on the RioGrande, 44 miles North of El Paso.

TOURTravel 59 miles west from Las Cruces on I-10 to Deming.

MORE INFORMATIONLas Cruces Convention and Visitors’ Bureau 505-541-2444

(Above) Ft. Selden was established on the Rio Grande in 1865 to curb Indian raids. The state monument houses numerous artifacts of the era.(Left, top) Trails in the Dripping SpringsRecreation Area take hikers into the heart of the Organ Mountains.

22500 S. Highway 28 • La Mesilla, NM • 505-526-8974 • 1-800-654-6887

Stop by and visit the most famous Pecan Grove and Retail Outlet in New Mexico.

Stop by and visit the most famous Pecan Grove and Retail Outlet in New Mexico.

Ourselectionof NativeAmericanjewelry, potteryand kachinas isone of the largestand best in LasCruces. We carryNavajo, Zuni and Hopijewelry; Navajo and Acomapottery & Navajo rugs.

Oñate Gift Shop is the exclusivedealer for Lawrence Vargas“Blackware” pottery in SouthernNew Mexico.

All jewelry is hand selected tobring you quality jewelry ataffordable prices, includinghard to find one-of-a-kindpieces.

When in Las Cruces shop where the localsshop

(Inside Hilton Hotel)705 South Telshore Blvd.Las Cruces, NM 88011505-532-4226Fax: 505-526-1896

GIFT SHOP


By S. Derrickson Moore

A funny thing happened to multi-award-winning playwright MarkMedoff when he was on his way to Paris. He got a job offer inSouthern New Mexico.“I came to Las Cruces by accident. When I was finishing at Stanford

in ’66, I planned to go to Europe for a year and seek out Jean PaulSartre and Simone DeBouvoir, hang with them, discuss Existentialistphilosophy, drink red wine early in the day, and smoke unfilteredFrench cigarettes,” Medoff quipped. “My mentor at the University ofMiami, Fred Shaw, had taught at New Mexico State University. Hetold me I wasn’t going to Europe, I was going to get a teaching job,the only thing I could do where I could make a living AND continuemy apprenticeship as a writer. Next thing I knew, I was coming to LasCruces. I got off the highway and the first thing I saw was a herd ofcattle. I knew it would never work.”Today, 34 years, eleven movies, 23 stage productions and two radio

plays later, the Land of Enchantment is still home for the prolific writerwho earned a Tony Award, and an Academy Award nomination (forBest Screenplay) for Children of a Lesser God. In 1999, he was one ofseven outstanding leaders of the American theater to be recognized bythe College of Fellows of the American Theatre at the Kennedy Center.He has accomplished his multi-media feats while remaining firmly

based in the Mesilla Valley where he regularly continues to write,direct and produce his own plays, and accept occasional directinggigs for everything from musicals to operas. He has also maintainedhis status as Las Cruces’ own movie-making triple threat: he writesthem, acts in them and produces them.He has proven that you don’t have to live in Los Angeles to be in the

movie business. In fact, four of his films have been made in New

Mark Medoff

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(Above) Academy Award nominee Mark Medoffworks with a University group at New Mexico State.(Left, bottom) Playwright Mark Medoff and wifeStephanie in their Mesilla home.

Mexico. Three were filmed in Las Cruces: 1995’s Homage andWhen You Comin’ Back Red, Ryder? (which also won an OBIEaward after its presentation as a play in 1973) and adocumentary, Who Fly On Angels’ Wings in 2000. Another, SantaFe, was made in the City Different in 1996.He wrote the 1988 film Clara’s Heart, which starred Whoopi

Goldberg and helped launch the career of New Mexican NeilPatrick “Doogie Howser” Harris. Other projects have ranged fromCity of Joy, starring Patrick Swayze, to the Meg Tily-Judge Reinholdcomedy Off Beat and a film for HBO, Apology.His first film was a 1979 Chuck Norris vehicle: Good Guys

Wear Black.Mark and his wife, Stephanie, have three daughters, Debbie,

Rachel and Jessica, and the family has been active in communitycultural activities and arts programs for kids. “What has kept ushere all these years is the support and appreciation the universityand community have displayed for its artists. Southern NewMexico has been a wonderful place to raise our children. Theschools were good, the extracurricular activities plentiful, taught by


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The Theater CommunityPlaywright Mark Medoff says, “There was a marveloustheater community just aborning when I arrived in LasCruces and I was swept into it. All around me weretalented actors and designers. I became connected to anddeeply affected by some of the musical talent in the area.There were the poets Keith Wilson and Joe Somoza, theshort story writer, Lee Abbott, the translator, TomHoeksema, and me, all of us chasing our muses to somepretty good recognition. Now, the writing community hasexpanded and, in my opinion, is extraordinary, maybe asextraordinary as the visual artistic community in Santa Fe.We still have Wilson, Somoza, Hoeksema, and Medoff;we have Abbott by connection; we have the prolificchildren’s playwright Ruth Cantrell; and we have thatincredible group of prose writers in the NMSU EnglishDepartment: Antonia Nelson, Robert Boswell, DeniseChavez, Kevin McIlvoy, and Don Kurtz.”

2001 New Mexico Traveler Old West TrailsOWT8

terrific people, and the diversity of the population enriched usall,” Medoff said.Movie industry people sometimes josh him about his

affection for the region. “I write things all the time that I setin New Mexico. I think all of us who write might say that ourenvironment here still has a kindness to it, a welcoming to it,and a willingness to embrace diversity not only in ethos butin ideas.”He has written a novel, Dreams of Long Lasting, (Warner

Books, 1992) and has also contributed articles to newspapersand several magazines.In 2001, Doña Ana Lyric Opera Company will debut his

first opera, Sara McKinnon, (with composer Randall Shin). AKennedy Center-commissioned play, Tommy J. & Sally,premiered in 2000 in Washington, D.C.He is also working on Gunfighter: A Gulf War Chronicle,

and said he’s writing a play set during World War II, severalscreenplays, and trying to finish a second novel, a thriller setbetween Las Cruces and El Paso. A new play, Road to theRevolution, will premiere in Los Angeles in 2001.

FILMSWho Fly on Angels’ Wings (Memorial Medical

Foundation, 2000)

Santa Fe (Doradel, 1997)

Homage (Skyline, 1995)

Rio Road (AFI, 1993)

City of Joy (TriStar, 1992)

Clara’s Heart (Warner Brothers, 1987)

Children of a Lesser God (Paramount, 1986)

Apology (HBO Premiere Films, 1986)

Off Beat (Touchstone, 1986)

When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder (Columbia, 1979)

Good Guys Wear Black (MarVista, 1978)

PLAY LISTSara McKinnon (opera-DALO premiere 2001)

Tommy J & Sally (premiere Washington D.C. 2000)

Crunch Time (with Phil Treon, 1998)

Showdown On Rio Road (with Ross Marks, 1998)

A Christmas Carousel (1997)

Gunfighter—A Gulf War Chronicle (1997)

Gila (1996)

The Homage That Follows (1995 and 1987)

Stefanie Hero (1990)

Stumps (1989)

The Heart Outright (1986)

Kringle’s Window (1985)

The Hands Of Its Enemy (1984)

The Majestic Kid (1981)

Children of a Lesser God (1980)

The Last Chance Saloon (1979)

Firekeeper (1978)

The Conversion of Aaron Weis (1978)

The Halloween Bandit (1978)

When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder (1974)

The Kramer (1973)

The Odyssey of Jeremy Jack (with Carleen Johnson,

1973)

The Wager (1966)

RADIO PLAYSThe Last Chance Saloon (1980)

The Disintegration of Aaron Weiss (1979)

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(Above) Marionettes look down from heaven on MarkMedoff in his Mesilla home.

B I O G R A P H Y

Win 2 nights lodging and four meals for two.You’ll have tickets to visit local attractions.

Enjoy the largest lake in New Mexico, hike in the ponderosa pines at 7000-9000 feet. Explore unique gift shops and art galleries.

With one-fourth of New Mexico, there’s millions of acres for playing! . . . and relaxing!

We’re doing a survey of people who have requested information about our Old West Country region. We’d like your help with information to provide a

better vacation experience.

If you would take only 4 minutes to answer the survey card, you’ll be entered for one of the Weekend Vacations in the

$2000 Old West Country Vacation Getaway.

Complete the information card between pages 16 and 17 in this edition of Old West Trails . . . or register on our web site,

www.oldwestcountry.com.

Then, you’ll be in a drawing for a Weekend Vacation for two or a classicMimbres Indian pot reproduction. Four drawings, one every 3 months!

You have a chance to win aWEEKEND VACATION

for two!


COURT YOUTH CENTERIn a dizzying swirl of activities, the

Court Youth Center in Las Cruces has along list of artistic, performance and edu-cational programs that attract thousandsof young people from all age groups.Performing Arts, including theatre, musicand dance; Culinary Arts, in partnershipwith the Doña Ana Branch CommunityCollege and the Las Cruces PublicSchools; the Literary Arts, including aYouth Playwrights Program; chess; tennis;and much more are among the programs.

Resident performinggroups include balletfolklórico, músicamariáchi and a chil-dren’s theater. Thefacility includes a500-seat perform-ance space, a dance

studio, a gallery, visual arts studios andmulti-purpose rooms. At the center,youth discover and cultivate their individ-ual talents to form lifelong learningopportunities in creativity, arts enrich-ment, arts production and they can par-ticipate in apprenticeship and entrepre-neurial programs. Director Irene OliverLewis states that adult groups also utilizethe facility. It can accommodate businessand organizational functions from class-room sized meetings to auditorium per-formances. Contact Ms. Lewis for moreinformation at (505) 541-0146.

(Top Left) Youth learn air brushtechniques at Court Youth Center.(Top Right) Director Irene Oliver-Lewiscoordinates youth center programs.

An arts advocacy,

non-profit organizationwhose mission is to promote,foster and strengthen the

general welfare, knowledgeand appreciation of

performing, visual andliterary arts in southern

New Mexico.

DOñA ANA ARTS COUNCIL

505-523-6403Fax: 505-523-4760

224 N. Campo StreetLas Cruces, NM 88001

PO Box 1721Las Cruces, NM 88004e-mail: [email protected]

Mesilla Valley Inn& C o n f e r e n c e C e n t e r

901 Avenida de MesillaLas Cruces, New Mexico 88005

(505) 524-8603 • Fax (505) 526-8437For Reservations Call Toll Free

1-800-327-3314

Experience SouthwesternHospitality At Its Best

The Best Western Mesilla Valley Inn offers travelers warm southwestern hospitality, attentive customer service, a convenient location and comfortable accommodations, all at remarkably affordable prices.

At our hotel you’ll find:• Large heated outdoor pool and spa. • Casual dining at Eddie’s Bar & Grill

• Outdoor Terrace Lounge • Live nightly entertainment• Banquet & meeting facilities for up to 700 • Easy access to historic Old Mesilla

P.O. BOX 7027 • LAS CRUCES, NM • 88006 (505) 541-0145 • www.courtyouthcenter.org

Where Creativity andSuccess Flourish

DailyThe Court Youth Center nurtures an environment where the voices of our youthare heard, valued and celebrated in anatmosphere where the youth createtheir own destinies and are partners inshaping the world of tomorrow.

At the Court Youth Center, youthexperience life and learning throughcreative and physical activities.They discover and cultivate theirindividual talents to create lifelong learning opportunitiesin creativity, arts enrichment,arts production and apprenticeship and entrepreneurial programsas well as recreationaland educational activities. The CourtYouth Center programs arecreated by

youth foryouth.


L Located just minutes from Las Cruces, La Mesilla is a center for culture, art and fashion

offering a festive Spanish/Old West atmosphere. The tree-shaded plaza with a traditional

Mexican bandstand is still the focal point for community activities. The white towers of San

Albino Church dominate the plaza area.

La Mesilla was a firmly established colony in 1850, and it was the most important community

affected by the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico in 1854. La Mesilla in 1858 became the Regional

Headquarters for the Butterfield Overland Mail and Stage Line. Some of the finest hotels and

restaurants, including El Meson, flourished during this period. The Confederate army established a

regional headquarters in La Mesilla in 1861, but fled the following year, just ahead of the arrival of

the California Column. The community served as a commercial and transportation center for the

region’s mining and agricultural industries and as a vital link for the West’s transportation network.

La Mesilla was a lively (and wild) social center in the 1880’s with its dances, bullfights, cockfights,

and theater productions. It also attracted its share of unsavory characters. Billy the Kid was tried and

sentenced to hang in La Mesilla in 1881, but escaped before the sentence could be carried out.

In that same year, the railroad moved four miles east to Las Cruces, and along with it, the

county seat. From that point until recently, La Mesilla experienced little growth and thus was able

to maintain its 1800’s character.

Today, visitors are attracted by the quaint shops along narrow streets, the relaxing atmosphere

LA MESILLAJan. Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally.

523-9206.

May Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. 525-1965.

Sept. The Diez y Seis de Septiembre Fiesta. 525-1965.

Oct. Dia de los Muertos. 1-800-343-7827.

Dec. Christmas Carols and Luminarias. 525-1965.

E V E N T S

(Right) Modern adobeconstruction continues todominate La Mesilla architecture.(Below, top) Narrow sidewalksand portals line streets near the1800’s plaza.(Below, bottom) San AlbinoChurch dominates the plaza ofLa Mesilla.

around the plaza, and of course, the

mouth watering aroma of roasting

chile, enchiladas and thick steaks from

nationally recognized restaurants. Every

door opens to galleries, antique shops,

bookstores, coffeehouses, dress shops

and jewelry stores. The charm and

serenity of La Mesilla may well trans-

form one’s hectic, modern outlook on

life to a calmer, more rational state . . .

and it may linger for years to come.

Traditional fiestas are held in La

Mesilla the weekends just prior to

México’s two independence days,

Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) and Diez y

Seis de Septiembre (September 16).

Women dressed in colorful skirts and

men in the silver-studded suits of the


Located on the plaza in historic Old Mesilla, and not far from the intersectionof Interstate 10 at the Rio Grande, is a truly authentic southern New Mexico dining and shopping experience.Established in 1857 as a Butterfield Stagecoach stop, La Posta has felt the

footprints of such notables as Kit Carson, Judge Roy Bean and Billy the Kid.The chile rellenos, enchiladas, tamales, and empanadas are a melding of the

Mexican-Indian dishes uniquely influenced by the New Mexican culture. Their bestkept secrets, however, may be their delicious steaks and refreshing tropical drinks.The warm, friendly service and consistently excellent cuisine make it not only

popular among locals, but also a memorable stop for visiting national and international dignitaries. Don’t forget to visit our La Posta Chile Shop... The Hot, Hot spot in Old Mesilla.

A TRULY AUTHENTIC DINING & SHOPPING EXPERIENCE.

LA POSTA DE MESILLAFamed for Mexican Food and Steaks Since 1939

2410 Calle De San AlbinoMesilla, NM 88046505-524-3524

LA POSTALA POSTA

C U L I N A R Y A R T S


caballero grace the plaza as the music

of the Mariachi fill the air. Blindfolded

children try to break piñatas full of

candy, and vendors sell their arts and

crafts. If you are in the area on

December 24th, the traditional

Christmas Carols and Luminarias on

the Plaza are an impressive display of

holiday spirit.

The adobe and red brick buildings

and homes of La Mesilla have been

carefully restored to provide visitors a

glimpse of southwest communities of a

hundred years ago. Tile work, colorful

doors, and beds of every variety of

cacti imaginable enhance the architec-

ture throughout the village. Adobe

TOWN OF MESILLA LODGING

Boutique Resort Hotel & Gourmet Restaurant• 15 rooms & suites with private baths, some with fireplaces • Full gourmet breakfast included

• Tranquil setting and magnificent views • Seasonal swimming pool • LoungeBanquet Facility • Award-winning chef, excellent continental menu and wine list

Mesón de Mesilla1803 Avenida de Mesilla • PO Box 1212 • Mesilla, NM 88046

(505) 525 2380 • (800) 732 6025 • Fax (505) 527-4196www.mesondemesilla.com

3 Suites all with private baths and fully stocked wet bars • Sunroom • Swimming Pool & Jacuzzi in the inner courtyard • Full Breakfast prepared to order

Happy Trails Bed & BreakfastLocated in Old Mesilla

Mailing Address: 1857 Paisano • Las Cruces, NM 88005(505) 527-8471 • Sylvia Byrnes - proprietor

www.las-cruces-new-mexico.com

Convention ServicesBest Western Mesilla Valley Inn901 Avenida de MesillaLas Cruces, NM 88005Convention Max. Occupancy: 70Meeting Space: 800 sq. ft.(505) 524-8603 FAX (505) 526-8437

LAS CRUCESCattle Baron Steak LUNCH790 S. Telshor 522-7533 Seafood • • • DINNERFarley’s LUNCHCorner Foothills & Nacho Dr. 522-0466 American • • • DINNERMesilla Valley Inn BREAKFAST, LUNCH,901 Avenida de Mesilla 524-8603

Continental • • • • DINNERNew Mexico Farm & RanchMuseum (Purple Sage) LUNCH4100 Dripping Springs Rd. 532-1765

American/Mexican • • •

LA MESILLADouble Eagle Southwestern, Steak CASUAL LUNCH, DINNER 308 Calle de Guadalupe 523-6700 Seafood • • • • FINE DINING, SUNDAY BRUNCHLa Posta de Mesilla LUNCH, DINNER2410 Calle de San Alvino 524-3524 New Mexican/Steak • • • CASUALMesón de Mesilla BREAKFAST, LUNCH,1803 Avenida de Mesilla 525-2380 • 1-800-732-6025

Continental • • • • • DINNER FINE DINING

las cruces & la mesilla diningTYPE

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Court Youth Center402 W. CourtLas Cruces,NM 88005Convention Space: 7,723 sq. ft.Ballroom: 5,309 sq. ft.(505) 541-0145

Las CrucesConvention &Visitors Bureau211 N. WaterLas Cruces, NM 88001Convention Space:98,665 city wide (505) 541-2444

New Mexico FarmAnd Ranch HertageMuseum4100 Dripping Springs RoadLas Cruces,NM 88011Convention Space: 5,000 sq. ft.Ballroom: 1,500 sq. ft.Outdoor Patio:3,000 sq.ft.(505) 532-1765

architecture was an indigenous

response to the region’s desert weather

and the lack of building materials.

Fields of chile border the roadways

of La Mesilla, and are especially color-

ful as they ripen in early fall. Nearly

half of New Mexico’s chile is grown in

the Mesilla Valley. New Mexico’s state

vegetable, which is actually the fruit of

the pepper plant, is a basic ingredient

for most New Mexican dishes. Red or

green chile smothers enchiladas,

chimichangas and burritos. Chile is

added to tacos and quesadillas, and

green chile cheeseburgers are common

throughout the state.

Thousands of acres of pecans,

cotton, grapes and other produce also

fill the Mesilla Valley. The Stahmann

Farms Store is located in the pecan

orchards just beyond La Mesilla.


LOCATIONLa Mesilla borders I-10 on the south sideof Las Cruces.MORE INFORMATIONOld Mesilla Association(505) 526-6220.

(Above, left) A new fountain marks theentry of the historic district of La Mesilla.(Top) Light filters through pecanorchards in the Mesilla Valley.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the UnitedStates Dept. of the Interior, the historic building now houses one ofSouthern New Mexico’s finest restaurants. Dinners such as BourbonPepper Steak, Chicken Mesilla, featuring the area’s famous green chile,or Grilled Halibut on Seasoned Spinach with Capers and Hollandaiseare customer favorites. Our extensive wine list complements yourmeal. Casual luncheons of chile rellenos or enchiladas on a cool, casual plant-filled patio are memorable. Open seven days a week.

OUR EXTENSIVE WINE LIST COMPLEMENTS YOUR MEAL.

DOUBLE EAGLEOn the Plaza, Historic Old Mesilla

505-523-6700doubleeagledining.com

Double Eagle

C U L I N A R Y A R T S

Double Eagle

OWT16

New Mexico Farm& Ranch HeritageMuseum

Between the lush irrigated farmlands of the Rio Grande Valley and the cattle ranches on

the slopes of the magnificent Organ Mountains lies the 47-acre Farm and Ranch Heritage

Museum. Exhibitions, New Mexico food, beer and wine, live milking demonstrations, farm

animals and machinery, are all part of the experience to be shared at the Heritage Museum.

A historical perspective, of course, is one of the main focal points of the museum. A

pithouse from the ancient Mogollon culture, built in the Main Gallery, and a replicated

Anasazi grain storage room from Chaco Canyon demonstrate the mid-point of New Mexico’s

agricultural history. Visitors are able to work their way through the eras of horse-drawn plows

and early mechanized farm equipment into the computerized, laser leveling implements of the

modern, well-educated agricultural specialist.

The museum includes 25,000 square feet of exhibition space, both permanent and tem-

porary. The first permanent exhibit, “Generations,” utilizes biographies, interactive displays

and hundreds of artifacts and photographs to relate New Mexico’s agricultural history.

Changing exhibits have included “Wine-making” and “From the Attic.”

Outdoor exhibits include the adobe blacksmith shop, a log cabin relocated from northern

New Mexico, a windmill with a 20 foot fan, and “Watering Place,” a huge steel sculpture by

Gallup artist Armando Alvarez.

Regular demonstrations include blacksmithing, sewing, weaving, quilting, and butter churn-

ing. The milking demonstration in the dairy barn, however, is the most popular among old and

young alike. A brief film and a modern milking demonstration, followed by feeding milk to

N E W M E X I C O

New Mexico Farm& Ranch HeritageMuseum

calves, is a real treat for those who have

never spent time on the farm. Other

animals on the grounds include Belgian

draft horses, used for pulling wagons;

longhorn cattle; Jerusalem donkeys;

churro sheep and goats.

Classes sponsored by the museum

include cooking, adobe making, gar-

dening, roping and other cowboy

skills, photography and wool spinning.

The courtyard and amphitheater are

the center for special events from

concerts to weddings.

La Fiesta de San Ysidro, patron

saint of agriculture, is held mid-May

and Cowboy Days are scheduled for

October. Both festive events include

music, food and demonstrations.

Plan to have lunch at the Purple

Sage Restaurant and purchase your

produce, garden supplies, cowboy

gear and more at Stahmanns

Museum Mercantile.

S P O T L I G H T

(Below) The 47-acre New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum isdominated by the majestic Organ Mountains.

(Far left, top) Water Place was created by Gallup artist ArmandoAlvarez and utilized 80,000 pounds of steel.

(Far left, center) Children watch a modern milking demonstration at Heritage Museum.

(Far left, center) The Courtyard of the Heritage Museum is utilized for performances and weddings.

(Far left, bottom) Feeding a calf highlights museum tour.

OWT18

Feb. Old West Gun Show. 546-3727.March Rockhound Roundup. 546-0348.

Spring Jamboree. 546-0393.April Old Timers’ Celebration.

546-9074 or 546-9406.August Great American Golf

Tournament. 1-888-345-1125.Great American Duck Race. 1-888-345-1125.Old West Gun Show. 546-3727. Antiques and collectible show. 546-3726.

Oct. S.W. New Mexico State Fair. 546-4890.Czechoslovakian Klobase Festival. 546-9074.

Nov. Welcome Back Winter Visitors’ Dance. 546-2674.

Dec. Green Tea. Luna Mimbres Museum. 546-2832.Annual Tin Street Luminaria Display. 546-9535.Snowbird Gathering & Potluck Dinner. 546-2674.

2001 New Mexico Traveler Old West Trails

DEMINGRockhounding, duck racing, ancient cultures,

and an unbeatable quality of life makes

Deming a great choice.

D Deming is a community of festivities,

impressive collections from ancient cultures,

some of the Southwest's best rockhounding, a

dry climate, and abundant water.

The Deming Luna Mimbres Museum

collections include displays of pottery from the

Mimbres culture and from early settlers. The

museum complex includes the historic Armory

building and the old Customs House.

Rock specimens literally litter the ground at

Rockhound State Park, just southeast of

Deming. Each year, rockhound events include

guided rockhound trips, rock auctions, and

judging seminars.

If you have never been to a duck race, you

have missed one of Deming's most unique

events. This unforgettable annual event in

August includes parades, outhouse races(!),

costume contests, arts and crafts, dances and a

cash prize for owners of the winning ducks.

In Columbus, just south of Deming, a

museum and state park preserve details of the

only attack on American soil in the continental

United States. Mexican revolutionary

Generalíssimo Pancho Villa stormed across the

U.S. border in retaliation for U.S. support of

the Mexican government. Subsequently,

General John J. Pershing invaded Mexico in

pursuit of Villa. He was unsuccessful in

apprehending the elusive enemy, but gained

valuable experience with the first use of planes

and ground support vehicles for military

purposes prior to the war in Europe.

Additional day trips from Deming include

E V E N T S


LOCATIONDeming is located on I-10, nearRockhound State Park, 59 miles west ofLas Cruces

TOURTravel 60 miles west on I-10 to Lordsburg.

MORE INFORMATIONDeming Luna County Chamber of Commerce 505-546-2674

(Above) The Luna County Court House strikes animpressive stance in Deming. (Left, top) Join the Deming Duck Race for ahilarious weekend and a large purse.(Left, bottom) Prickley Pear cactus blossoms atRockhound State Park.

shopping and dining in Palomas,

Mexico, just across the border from

Columbus, picnicking and hiking in

City of Rocks State Park, and scenic

drives into the Gila National Forest.

DESTINATION

DEMINGNEW MEXICO, USA

• Mild Seasons • 362 Days of Sunshine• On I-10 Between Tucson and El Paso• 18-hole golf course •Rockhounding • 4 State Parks • Historic Museum• Hub for touring the “Old West” in SW New Mexico & Northern Mexico

Info packet: Deming-Luna County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 8 (NMT),

Deming, NM 88031. Ph: 1-800-848-4955. Internet: www.zianet.com/deming

COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES

Premier Adult Community

2901 Country Club Road Deming, New Mexico

2 miles south of theCountry Club

www.santafestyle.come-mail: [email protected]

1-800-368-9058505-544-4254

Country Club Estates provides Santa Festyle designs at values no other adult

community can match!

From the

Mid-80’s

OWT20

TourBreakGhost Towns

The ghost towns of Shakespeare and Steins, NewMexico, located south and west of Lordsburg, are notcommercialized caricatures of the past, but thegenuine articles. Gift shops and amusement rides takea back seat to history, with pasts as colorful anddistinct as any in the West.

Shakespeare is a community that, in 1870, was aboom town, boasting a population of 3,000. Accordingto court records, hanging seemed to be the fastestsolution to many problems.

Regular tours of the town are scheduled bi-monthlyon Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.

Guides dressed in the authentic garb of the OldWest offer tours of the Shakespeare ghost town andprovide exciting reenactments of historic events.

Steins is a railroad ghost town, though it started notas a stop for the railroad, but as a station for theButterfield Stage. Built in 1858, Steins eventuallyserved east and westbound wagon trains, and boasteda population of more than 1,000 people, with twosaloons.

Open daily, Steins has much to offer.


LORDSBURG

L Lordsburg’s ghost towns and rockhounding grab the imaginations of southwest

New Mexico travelers. Lordsburg and the surrounding area had their beginnings in

the 1800's as a stopover for the Butterfield Stage. Shakespeare, just south of

Lordsburg, grew to about 3000 people following a silver strike and a diamond

swindle. Shakespeare's reconstructed Main Street is a showcase for authenticity,

and is listed in the National Historic Register. Tours are available every other

weekend, and quarterly reenactments including old west shoot outs and hangings

are worth a special trip.

The laying of train rails in the early 1900's gave rise to the village of Steins, west

of Lordsburg, which grew to about 1000 people. The railroad ghost town is now

open daily to the public, and is filled with pioneer housewares, old railroad tools

and artifacts, a variety of friendly farm animals, and plenty of Old West tales.

"Rockamania" is Lordsburg's contribution to the world of rockhounding. The

midwinter annual event includes classes, workshops, tours and outings.

Lordsburg has been more successful than any community in New Mexico at

planning and infrastructure development, leading to new shops, truck stops,

motels and restaurants. Daytrips from Lordsburg lead to the Gila Cliff Dwellings

National Monument in the Gila National Forest, and to the Chiricahua bird

Jan. Lion’s Club Gun Show. 542-9864.

Feb. Rockamania. 542-9864. Lion’s Club Gun Show. 542-9864.

March Kite Flying Contest. 542-9864.

April Landsail Contest. 542-9864.

Aug. Hidalgo County Fair and Ranch Rodeo. 542-9864.

Sept. Tejano Fiesta. 542-9864.

Oct. Gem & Mineral Show. 542-9864.Sunset Limited Days (RR reunion). 542 9864.

Dec. Christmas Parade, Moonlight Madness. 542-9864.

E V E N T S


The Lordsburg area had

its beginnings as a

stopover for the

Butterfield Stage.

LOCATIONLordsburg is located on I-10, nextto Shakespeare ghost town, 60miles west of Deming

TOURTravel 44 miles northeast on US70 and NM 90 to Silver City.

MORE INFORMATIONLordsburg Hidalgo County Chamber of Commerce 505-542-9864

(Above) Sun sets on the Old Westghost town of Shakespeare. (Right) Old West reenactments reveal quick justice in a leather tough community.

watch area in the Coronado

National Forest.

Make Lordsburg your Old

West stopover.

LordsburgHIDALGO COUNTY

A Full Service Community

• Rockhounding • Bird Watching • Ghost Towns • 2 National Forests Nearby

Lordsburg, located on the old Butterfield Stage Route,

was a stop on Charles Lindbergh’s1927 transcontinental flight, and is the birthplace of New Mexico’s state song.

Lordsburg Hidalgo County Chamber of Commerce

117 East 2nd Street Lordsburg, NM 88045-1926

www.gilanet.com/lordsburgcoc

(505) 542-9864

Days Inn & Suites1100 West Motel Drive

Lordsburg, New Mexico 88045(505) 542-3600

City of Lordsburg206 South Main

Lordsburg, NM 88045(505) 542-3421

HIDALGO COUNTYLordsburg


S Indeed, Silver City is one of the nation’s

best. More and more writers, visitors and

retirees are reaching that conclusion every year.

Modern Maturity Magazine chose Silver City as

the #3 Small Town in America. It was based on

such factors as neighborliness, restaurants, ease

of getting around on foot, ethnic diversity,

recreational options, “and most important, cul-

tural vitality.” The listing was part of Modern

Maturity Magazine’s “50 Most Alive Places to

Live in the United States.”

Also featured in Norman Crampton’s

book, The 100 Best Small Towns In America,

this community of distinctive cultures and

natural beauty attracts visitors and those seek-

ing to relocate from across the nation. Silver

City also achieved the top 1% of Norman

Ford’s Healthiest Places to Live and Retire in the

United States.

Drawn to southwestern New Mexico by the

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and

three million acres of national forest in a dry,

southerly climate, visitors are frequently

astounded by the fact that the community itself

has so much to offer. Silver City’s renovated

downtown shopping district, historic Victorian

homes and a well-established art community

that is attracting world class buyers have become

strong attractions in themselves. Visitors will

find southwestern and fine art in the galleries,

the pottery of the ancient Mimbres culture in

the museums and entertainment in renovated

historic movie and performance theaters. One-

of-a-kind merchandise from around the world is

found in the historic district.

Visitors can take a relaxing stroll through

Big Ditch Park, behind the visitor’s center

which is located on the site of Billy the Kid’s

SILVER CITYMay Tour of the Gila. 1-800-548-9378.

Gila Bird and Nature Festival. 1-800-548-9378.Annual Blues Festival. 538-2505.

June Rodeo and Parade. 538-3731.Wild Wild West Pro Rodeo.388-2586.Rodeo Golf Tournament.538-3785.Mimbres-Paquimé Experience. 538-2505.

July 4th of July Celebration. 1-800-548 9378.Billy Casper Golf Tournament. 538-3785.

Sept. Gem and Mineral Show. 1-800-548-9378.Grant County Fest. 1-800-548-9378.Ft. Bayard Centennial. 388-1281.

Oct. Weekend at Galleries. 538-2505.

Nov. Lighted Christmas Parade. 538-3731.

Dec. Victorian Christmas, Silver City Museum. 538-5921.

E V E N T S


former childhood home. There are

walking tours through the historic

district, beginning and ending at the

H.B. Ailman House, home of the

Silver City Museum.

Silver City prides itself in the

number of gallery openings, exhibits

and cultural events it produces each

year. The area claims a strong Arts

Council and Film Society, a commu-

nity concert series and several local

Art Guilds. A monthly art walk and

annual gallery weekend are featured

events. The growing list of activities

are made possible by a broad base of

individual memberships and strong

corporate sponsorships. Support has

also been forthcoming from the

National Endowment for the Arts, the

Kennedy Center Partners in Education

and the New Mexico Arts Commission.

The Mimbres Paquimé Experience,

sponsored by the local Arts Council, is

an outgrowth of the cultural and eco-

nomic ties between Silver City and its

(Top, left) Victorian architecture gives Silver City a special atmosphere.(Far left) Colorful restaurants and galleries line the Yankie Street Art District.(Right) Bronze statue of a Buffalo Soldierreflects the group’s involvement at Ft. Bayard.

Modern Maturity Magazine chose

Silver City as the #3 Small Town in

America. It was based on such

factors as neighborliness,

restaurants, ease of getting around

on foot, ethnic diversity, recreational

options, “and most important,

cultural vitality.”

Discover the colorful history dating back to 1870when silver was discovered. Tales from those earlydays tell of characters like Billy the Kid, Geronimo,Judge Roy Bean, and the Hearst family.Explore the ancient cultures and see collections of

the distinctive black on white pottery that was devel-oped one thousand years ago by Mimbres Indians. Visit the Gila National Forest and wilderness area,

and discover a region of wildlife, wildflowers, andendless outdoor activities. Shop for uniqueSouthwestern art and souvenirs, and enjoy authenticMexican food. Stroll down historic Victorian streets tocoffee houses, museums, galleries, theaters or parksto complete the day.Choose any season, there’s always a reason to

come to Silver City.

We’ll Give You Some Great

G R A N T C O U N T YSilver City/Grant County Chamber of Commerce

201 N. Hudson Street • Silver City, NM 88061 • www.silvercity.org

1-800-548-93781-800-548-9378

Reasons To Get To Know Us.

OWT26 Old West Trails

sister community of Casas Grandes, Mexico. The primary links for the two commu-

nities is the Gila Cliff Dwellings of the Mogollon Culture near Silver City and the

Paquimé Ruins of the Casas Grandes Culture in Mexico. Both cultures produced

pottery painted with geometric designs and figures. A National Artist of Mexico,

Juan Quesada, continues to produce his acclaimed Mata Ortiz pottery in Casas

Grandes, and has demonstrated his techniques at Western New Mexico University in

Silver City. The result is a growing pottery industry in both locations, adding to the

rapidly expanding arts communities.

Entertainment scheduled throughout the year includes the Silver City Blues

Festival, the Gila Bird and Nature Festival, writers workshops, a kite festival, the Tour of

the Gila bicycle race, the Signal Peak mountain bike race, the Wild Wild West Pro

Rodeo, and numerous activities associated with Western New Mexico University.

In addition to the Gila Cliff Dwellings, day trips from Silver City include Lake

Roberts, the historic village of Pinos Altos, City of Rocks State Park, The Catwalk

National Recreation Trail, the Chino Mines copper mine tour and the ghost towns of

Mogollon and Shakespeare.

Silver City is well known for its friendly atmosphere, creativity and perfect

climate. You can read it for yourself in Modern Maturity.

2001 New Mexico Traveler

A walking bridge spans Big Ditch Park, which was once Silver City’s Main Street.

LOCATIONSilver City is at the junction of US 180 and NM 90,near the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.

TOURTravel 62 miles northwest on US 180 to Glenwood.

MORE INFORMATIONSilver City/Grant County Chamber of Commerce. 505-538-3785 or 1-800-548-9378

Serving Southwest

New Mexico

with commercial

service for

17 years.

1-800-MESA-AIR1-505-388-4115

1-800-872-WNMU(9668)

www.wnmu.edu

For information please contact Admissions:

Western New Mexico University

Small

enough to

know you

large

enough to

serve you.

Wind Canyon Estates is locatedapproximately three miles fromSilver City on Highway 180 west.It features 10 acre parcels withbreathtaking panoramic views andis bordered by the Gila NationalForest to the north.

501 Silver Heights Blvd.Silver City, NM 88061

505-538-29311-800-456-3132www.zianet.com/cber

Let Beauty & Peacefulness Surround You

WIND CANYONESTATES

WIND CANYONESTATES

EKLEKTIKAS

FP AD

ZIA DESIGN

EKLEKTIKAS703 N. Black StreetSilver City, NM 88061

EKLEKTIKAS II104 Yankie Street

Silver City, NM 88061www.eklektikas.com505-538-8081

E K L E K T I K A S

for casual elegance


Yankie CreekGallery

Yankie CreekGalleryAn eclectic collection of fine art by local artists and craftspeople.

300 N. Bullard StreetSilver City, NM 88061

505-538-5232800-286-3661

Monday - Saturday 10 - 9 p.m.Sunday 10 - 5 p.m.

106 West Yankie StreetSilver City, NM 88061

505-388-3414Thurs. - Mon. 10:00-5:00

Sun. 10:00 - 2:00www.christinesartgallery.com

Multimedia works embodying diversity, beauty and harmony.

Gifted HandsGallery

Gifted HandsGallery

Giving emphasis to the beautifulSouthwest and authentic Native

American art.Open daily

314 N. Bullard StreetSilver City, NM 88061

505-534-2104www.giftedhands.org

CHRISTINE’SSILVER CITY GALLERYCHRISTINE’SSILVER CITY GALLERY

“Diamond Earring” by Garth Gerstein

Silver City's cultural expansion has outpaced

even its rapid population and economic growth.

The annual “Weekend at the Galleries” now claims

thirty participating locations, and there are two

prominent, burgeoning museums.

The strength of Silver City's art community is

made evident by its increasing number of galleries

and openings. Juried state-wide exhibitions and

regularly scheduled art tours have been sponsored by

Galleries,Museums &Performing Arts

Galleries,Museums &Performing Arts

A R T O F S I


the Mimbres Region Arts Council and the San

Vicente Artists, which have contributed to the

establishment of Silver City's impressive art scene.

The Western New Mexico University Museum

houses the largest permanent exhibit of

prehistoric Mimbres pottery and culture in the

U.S. Casas Grandes pottery, ancient tools and

jewelry, and historic artifacts are also featured.

The Silver City Museum is the beautifully

restored former home of H.B. Ailman, built in

1881. It also features the ancient Mimbres

pottery, and houses artifacts from the silver

mining boom era, early settlers and business

ventures, and the establishment of the copper

and cattle industries.

(Above) Local festivals and celebrations utilize thegrounds of the picturesque Silver City Museum.

L V E R C I T Y

1201 Pope St. • Silver City, NM505-538-2505888-758-7289www.mrac.cc

Promoting all the arts in theirrichness to people of all ages.• Performance seriesSeptember thru May.• Silver City Blues FestivalMemorial Day Weekend.• Mimbres Paquime & MoreMata Ortiz Symposium in July.• Weekend at the GalleriesColumbus Day Weekend.

Mimbres RegionArts council

Western New MexicoUniversity Museum

Houses the largest permanent dis-play of Mimbres pottery and culturein the world. Located in FlemingHall on the WNMU campus.

Open Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 9:00-4:30Wed. 1:00-4:00

Sat.& Sun. 10:00-4:00

Free Admission Handicap Accessible

505-538-6386www.wnmu.edu/univ/museum.htm

Western New MexicoUniversity Museum

In the H.B. Ailman HouseBooks & Regional GiftsTues.-Fri. 9:00-4:30 Sat.-Sun. 10:00-4:00 Closed Monday

Silver CityMuseumgift shop

312 W. Broadway Silver City, NM

505-388-5721


People have visited the Silver City Grant County areafor centuries because of the gentle seasons andmountainous surroundings. Excellent shopping, lodgingand entertainment now bolster the list, making GrantCounty an exciting destination in southwest NewMexico. The relaxed atmosphere, walking tours,Victorian buildings, and elevations of 5-7000 feet makethe county the preferred getaway for finding thatperfect handmade gift or painting, and enjoying a finedinner and an evening of entertainment.The growing arts community in Silver City and

Grant County has given rise to prominent galleries andart tours, as well as gift shops with crafts from local andsouthwest artisans. Handmade rough or finishedfurniture has also become a popular area item, since itcan be built and finished to individual specifications.A full array of entertainment is now found in the

Silver City area, from symphony to blues, from ballet toflamenco, from noted bicycle races to the Wild WildWest Pro Rodeo and festivals, from traditional Mexicanfiestas to bird and nature outings. Cowboy poetry,

DINING, LODGING & ENTERTAINMENTDINING, LODGING & ENTERTAINMENT

Kiva Fireplaces • Hot TubKitchens • Seclusion

Southwestern guesthouses on 70acres overlooking Bear Creek andthe Gila Wilderness. Daily/weeklyrates. 30 minutes northwest of

Silver City.A Very Special Place!

310 Hooker Loop • Gila, NM 88038

TOLL1-877-923-4827FREE

505-535-4455www.casitasdegila.com

Casitas de GilaGuesthouses

CopperCreek Ranch

Chuck Wagon Supper & Western Show

Family Dining Friday & Saturday NightsMemorial Day thru

Labor DayReservations Appreciated

20 Flury Lane • Silver City, NM

505-538-2971

Holiday InnExpress

The Holiday Inn Express in beautiful Silver City is your ticketto a Southwest adventure. Let ourfriendly staff aid you in exploringthe wonders of the Silver City areafrom a convenient homebase thatfeatures a fully equipped fitnesscenter and spa facilities.

1103 Superior StreetSilver City, NM 88061

1-800-HOLIDAY538-2525

www.hiexpress.com

The PalaceHotel

Celebrating 100 YearsLocated in the historic district of downtown Silver City...Reminiscent of a small hotel in the European Tradition

• Affordable Rates• 18 Rooms & Suites• Continental Breakfast

106 W. Broadway Silver City, NM 88061

505-388-1811www.zianet.com/palacehotel


melodrama and theatre productions are regularly featured onarea stages. On Friday and Saturday evenings in the summer,take your family to the popular old-fashioned chuck wagondinners and western sing along shows.Memorable lodging experiences that fit into area settings can

vary from a renovated downtown Victorian hotel to elegantcabins in the tall pines. Modern motel facilities featuringjacuzzis, swimming pools and fine dining are also available.

(Above) Theater and civic groups utilizethe newly renovated Silco Theater.

DINING, LODGING & ENTERTAINMENTDINING, LODGING & ENTERTAINMENT

DIANE’S RESTAU-

RANT

1/2P AD

ZIA DESIGN

Diane’s Restaurant

Lunch: Tues.-Fri. - 11:00 am - 2:00 pmDinner: Wed.-Sat. - 5:30 - 9:00 pmBrunch: Sat. & Sun. - 9 am - 2:00 pm

Nestled in Silver City’s Historic Downtown District alongside specialty shops,

importers and art galleries.

Diane’s will charm you with its friendliness and tempt you with its cuisine.

505-538-8722

510 North Bullard Silver City, NM 88061

TYPEOF

CUISINE

ENTERTA

INMENT

PATIODINI

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silver city dining

SILVER CITY The Buckhorn Steak • • • • DINNERPinos Altos, NM 538-9911 SeafoodCopper Creek Ranch BBQ • • FAMILY DINING 20 Flury Lane 538-2971 FRI. & SAT. NIGHTDiane’s Restaurant California • • BW

LUNCH,DINNER510 North Bullard 388-8722 Pacific Rim SAT. & SUN. BRUNCH

E V E N T S

June Pinos Altos Art Fair. 505-388-5202.

BEAR CREEKMOTEL & CABINSlimited company

Under the pines in historicPinos Altos. Gateway to the

Gila Wilderness.

• Complete kitchens • Color TV’s • Phones • Barbeque grills • Fireplaces

Seven miles north of Silver City on Highway 15

505-388-4501888-388-4515

www.bearcreekcabins.com

the BuckhornSaloon & Opera House

in historic pinos altos

Authentic 1860’s Old West DecorFine Dining & Spirits• Saloon open 3pm• Bar Menu Available 4pm• Entertainment in Saloon• Dinner served 6pm-10pm• Closed Sundays

Seven miles north of Silver City on Highway 15

For Reservations

505-538-9911


P Pinos Altos, in the "tall pines" above Silver City, is the

place to turn loose, carry on a conversation with Indian Joe

in the saloon, or throw popcorn at the actors in the Opera

House. Search for that special gift in the old one-room

schoolhouse, and stop by the art show in the Hearst Church

Gallery. Enjoy old fashioned ice cream or a candlelight

dinner, and spend the night in an elegantly furnished

mountain cabin.

Gold was discovered in 1859, and the boom town of Pinos

Altos became the first county seat. Memorabilia and artifacts

of gun fighters, Apache warriors, and the ancient Mimbres

culture can be seen in the Buckhorn Saloon and Restaurant.

Historic Pinos Altos sits on top of the world on the road to

Lake Roberts, the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument,

and the nation’s first designated wilderness, in the three

million acre Gila National Forest.

(Left) Fort Cobre still stands toguard our memories against the wear of time.(Far Left) The Hearst Church inPinos Altos has eased the soulsof gamblers and miners, andmore recently, to all those wholook upon it.

PINOS ALTOS

TOURTravel 6 miles north ofSilver City on NM 15.


GlenwoodGlenwood opens the door to wilderness trails,

trout streams, lakes nestled in pine trees, and apicturesque ghost town. The village itself consistsof shops, lodges, restaurants and a state fishhatchery. Local horseback riding and wildernesspack trips are available.

Five miles from Glenwood lies The CatwalkNational Recreation Trail. Picnic grounds amonghuge cottonwoods, and long steel walkways thatcling to the sides of narrow bluffs in the lowercanyon combine views of historic gold miningwith rugged mountain beauty.

From US 180 just north of Glenwood,travelers can take a side trip on NM 159, anarrow paved road that winds into the mountainsto the mining ghost town of Mogollon. A wellmaintained dirt road from Mogollon skirts alongthe northern edge of the vast Gila Wilderness,and leads on into the high country for excellentfishing and camping opportunities.

TourBreak

GLENWOOD EVENTSMay Annual Chile Cook-Off. 539-2711.July Frisco Cowbells Annual BBQ/Dance.

539-2733.4th of July Fireworks. 539-2711.Ice Cream Social. 539-2527.

Sept. Scorpion Sting Horse Endurance Ride. 539-2371.

Dec. Christmas Lighting Contest. 539-2711.

(Above) Steel catwalks cling to the narrow canyonwalls at The Catwalk National Recreation Trail.

TOLL FREE JOB LINE: 877-505-6289

FAX: 505-388-1127

CAREEROPPORTUNITIES

OWT34

the GilaCliff dwellings

(Right) The Gila Cliff Dwellings are a dramatic example of ancient culture.(Top Left) Fall’s many colors splash across the Gila Wilderness.(Top Center) A majestic elk awakens the wilderness.(Top Right) The Middle Fork of the Gila River feeds the lush growth along the canyon floor.

A quiet, gentle trail meanders up a lush, secluded canyon. Onewonders at the size of the ponderosa vying for room between thenarrow limestone cliffs. A shady brook runs year round from theheart of a vast mountain wilderness which an ancient people oncecalled home. The trail makes a sharp cutback revealing aspectacular view of the walled caves previously camouflaged by thethick tree canopy. Tracing the footsteps of the Mogollon culture thatlived, farmed and thrived in the high sheltered dwellings nearly 700years ago, one can quickly surmise why the ancient farmers chosethe canyon as their home. It afforded protection from both theelements and enemies, and provided quick access to the fertile GilaRiver valley for growing corn and squash. Game in the surroundingwilderness was also plentiful.In the late 13th century the tribe constructed 42 rooms inside 6

natural caves. Uses included ceremonial, living and storage of corn.The walls were constructed of limestone slabs and some of theoriginal wooden vigas remain in place. The ten to fifteen familiesthat originally occupied the dwellings disappeared just twogenerations after moving into the caves. The area surrounding three sides of the cliff dwellings is part of the

nation's first wilderness. Congress set aside the area in 1924 toallow people to “step back in time” to an era preceding humandevelopment and mechanization. Spectacular pack trips cross widemeadows bordered by sheer cliffs 1500 feet high. Streams full ofnative trout and hot springs tucked away in wooded seclusionenhance the dramatic wilderness experience. The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, which includes a

visitor center, campgrounds, and a small interpretive center, islocated at the northern end of a 100 mile paved loop roadbeginning in Silver City. Take NM 15 north directly to the dwellings.Plan on allowing two hours to enjoy the scenic drive.


the GilaCliff dwellings

“Beyond our expectations”...that’s the phrase wehear again and again from our riding friends whojourney with us in the Gila Wilderness.

• A horseback, pack trip adventure in the Gila is a genuine wilderness experience - a riding journey that takes one into theheart of America’s first and largest wilderness area.

• Beauty and majesty beyond words, vastness beyond understanding, and diversity beyond belief.

• Rugged and unusual canyon walls, picturesque meadows, breathtaking vista’s all add to a journey that re-energizes the heart and the body.

• Seasoned and experienced riding animals, wonderful home-cooked food and an enjoyable and fun staff all add to the beauty of the Gila Wilderness. • We’re located in Glenwood on the western edge of the Gila

Wilderness, in southwest New Mexico.• Give us a call and we’ll give you all the details of riding, adventure programs - 2-6 pack trips, family and group rides,base camp ride-outs, daily and hourly rides and more.

Jim Mater

Scenic Hwy. 180 & San Francisco River P.O. Box 66 • Glenwood, NM 88039

1-800-U-TRAIL-3or 1-505-539-2426

U-Trail™The Gila Wilderness

Explore The Exotic!Experience The Awe!Energize Your Spirit!

Explore The Exotic!Experience The Awe!Energize Your Spirit!


Spanish history and space age

technology intersect along the

Rio Grande at Socorro.

SOCORRO

S Socorro is the intersection of space age

technology and the 400-year-old El Camino

Real, established by Spanish Conquistadores.

For researchers now involved in conquering

space, San Miguel Mission, dating back to

1615, is the monument erected by conquerors

of the past, who laid the foundations for today's

achievements.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory

has a large facility on the campus of the New

Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

The group operates the Very Large Array,

located 52 miles west of Socorro. The VLA

complex consists of 27 dish-shaped antennas

spread across three 13-mile legs. It acts as a

single radio telescope, capturing sounds from

deep space. It can also link with radio tele-

scopes around the world to form an antenna the

size of Earth. The high-tech unit has served as a

futuristic location for several movie settings.

About ten miles south of Socorro, on the Rio

Grande, the Bosque del Apache National

Wildlife Refuge draws thousands of visitors in

November and December to observe migrating

cranes and snow geese. Tens of thousands of

honking geese may be present at the preserve

during the migratory period. A small flock of

whooping cranes winters at the 57,000-acre

preserve. During the migration, Socorro

schedules its annual Festival of the Cranes.

Feb. Civil War Days. 835-0424.March M” Mountain Duathlon. 835-0424.

Annual Rockhounding Days. 835-0424.

April Trinity Site Tour. 835-0424. June Conrad HIlton Golf Tournament.

835-0424.July Concerts and Fireworks, NM Tech.

835-0424.4th Annual Socorro Sprint Triathlon. 835-0424.

Sept. Socorro County Fair and Rodeo. 835-0424.Annual Fat Tire Fiesta. 835-0424.

Oct. San Miguel Fiesta. 835-7097.Trinity Site Tour. 835-0424.Oktoberfest. Hammel Museum. 835-0424.Enchanted Skies Star Party(6th Annual). 835-0424.‘49ers Celebration. 835-5525.

Nov. Festival of the Cranes. Bosque del Apache. 835-0424.

Dec. Christmas Candy Cane Electric Light Parade. 835-0424.Socorro Balloon Rally. 835-0424.

E V E N T S

Feb. Civil War Days. 835-0424.March M” Mountain Duathlon. 835-0424.

Annual Rockhounding Days. 835-0424.

April Trinity Site Tour. 835-0424. June Conrad HIlton Golf Tournament.

835-0424.July Concerts and Fireworks, NM Tech.

835-0424.4th Annual Socorro Sprint Triathlon. 835-0424.

Sept. Socorro County Fair and Rodeo. 835-0424.Annual Fat Tire Fiesta. 835-0424.

Oct. San Miguel Fiesta. 835-7097.Trinity Site Tour. 835-0424.Oktoberfest. Hammel Museum. 835-0424.Enchanted Skies Star Party(6th Annual). 835-0424.‘49ers Celebration. 835-5525.

Nov. Festival of the Cranes. Bosque del Apache. 835-0424.

Dec. Christmas Candy Cane Electric Light Parade. 835-0424.Socorro Balloon Rally. 835-0424.

This Millennium Drum is just one of the many products that await you in the Mountain Spirit

Catalog. Specializing in New Mexico inspired products.

1-877-mtspirit


LOCATIONSocorro is located at the junctionof US 60 and I-25, near Bosquedel Apache Refuge.

TOURTravel 72 miles south on I-25 to Truth or Consequences.

MORE INFORMATIONSocorro Chamber of Commerce505-835-0424

(Above) The gazebo in Socorro’s plaza is acenter for festivities.(Left, top) Snow Geese get off to an earlystart from Bosque del Apache NationalWildlife Refuge.(Left, bottom) Historic San Miguel Missionwas established by the SpanishConquistadores.

• Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

• Championship Golf course• Ghost Towns• NRAO Very Large Array Radio Telescope

• Historic District• El Camino Real

Socorro County Chamber of Commerce 101 Plaza P.O. Box 743 • Socorro, NM 87801 505•835•0424 www.socorro-nm.com

VisitSocorroCOUNTY

VisitSocorroCOUNTY

Where History & High-Tech meet!

Socorro CountySocorro Countyc h A m b E r o F c o m m E r c E


E V E N T S

T OR CApril Old Time Fiddlers Contest.

894-2847.Truth or Consequences Fiesta. 894-2946.Easter Celebration. Elephant Butte Lake. 894-9066.

July Fireworks at Elephant Butte. Truth or Consequences. 1-800-831-9487.

Oct. Geronimo Peace Days Celebration. 894-2181.NM Old-Time Fiddlers' Contest. 894-2847.

Dec. Christmas Jubilee Crafts Sale. 1-800-831-9487.Luminaria Display. 1-800-831-9487.

T Truth or Consequences is known for its hot

mineral baths, museums. . . and a name that

grabs people’s attention! The community struck

a deal with Ralph Edwards in 1950, and named

the town after his famous television show.

But the city’s former name of Hot Springs

more accurately describes the community.

Apaches and early settlers recognized the

healthful aspects of the hot mineral waters as

far back as the 1800’s. The Apache chief,

Geronimo, is said to have bathed in the hot

springs, thus giving his name to the Geronimo

Springs Museum and Geronimo Days Fiesta.

The Geronimo Springs site just received

attractive new tile next to the Museum, and at

the edge of Ralph Edwards Park, visitors can

wander through some of the deepest matates

(holes in the rocks where Indians ground

corn) in the Southwest.

Today, full-service bathhouses are open

year round. The relaxing and healing attributes

of the baths are combined with a full gamut of

related services including Swedish massage,

energy therapy, reflexology, ayurvedic science,

ear coning, T’ai Chi and yoga.

It is certainly the waters that make Truth

or Consequences special. In addition to the

hot mineral springs, full arrays of water sport-

ing and camping facilities are available at the

area’s three state parks.


LOCATIONTruth or Consequences is located on I-25 by Elephant Butte Lake State Park inthe hot springs region fo the Rio Grande.

TOURTravel 75 miles south on I-25 to Las Cruces.

MORE INFORMATIONTruth or Consequences Sierra CountyChamber 505-894-3536 or 800-831-9487

(Above) A pond near the Rio Grandeprovides a relaxing setting for an earlystroll through Ralph Edwards Park.(Left, top) A warm mineral bath overlooks the Rio Grande. (Left, bottom) Fishing off the pier at theDamsite Marina.

Apaches and early settlers

recognized the healthful

aspects of hot mineral water.

GeronimoTrail Scenic

BywayA trip through time, from desert lakes to mountain forests.

211 Main StreetTruth or Consequences, NM

87901(505) 894-1968www.geronimotrail.com

Paid in part by T or C lodgers tax.

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES CONVENTION-VISITORS’ BUREAU

WE MEAN BUSINESS

• 1000 Seat Ralph Edwards Auditorium• 5 Conference Rooms• A/V Equipment-Sound & Lighting• Business Center• In House Catering & Housing

Perfect Geographic Location on I-25(505) 894-44001-888-784-7222

Fax (505) 894-3194www.geronimohotsprings.com

Imaginations will soar as guests enter their rooms for the first time. Each room is named for a

legendary personality of the region: Billy-the-Kid, Doc Holiday, Annie Oakley, Kit Carson and Geronimo, Pancho Villa and Chief Victorio, to

name only a few. While each guest unwinds in an herbal wrap, relaxes with a Swedish massage, rejuvenates in the baths, savors exceptional

Regional French and Southwestern food, contemplates the mountains, fishes in the Rio Grande, or sails on Elephant Butte Lake, one can only

wonder how the famed characters of our history books would have enjoyed such a total and complete surrendering of the senses.

Geothermal Mineral Springs • Massage & Spa Treatments • Alternative Therapies • Guest Rooms &Suites • World Class Cheff • Concierge • Historical County Tours • Abundant Local Recreation

Reminiscent of the days of the Old West, the Sierra Grande Lodge and Spa retains theatmosphere of a time lost in history - capitalizing on the mystique of the period while

cultivating an ambience of casual comfort.

To make reservations or for more information,Please Call 1-888-745-6343

To make reservations or for more information,Please Call 1-888-745-6343

501 McAdoo • Truth or Consequences, New Mexico 87901e-mail: [email protected]

Epics

rich with

gold and

silver.

Chronicles of

gunfighters,

miners, con-

quistadors, cow-

boys, Apaches

and prehistoric

Mimbreno Indians.

This is where it

began. Those days

have faded into our

beautiful sunsets and

what remains are

friendly communities,

majestic mountains,

hidden valleys, cobalt

blue skies, cool clean water

and fresh air.

OLD WEST COUNTRY

offers you the opportunity to

step back in history to a time...

when handclasps were a little

stronger and the smiles dwelled

a little longer. Open space and

freedom invite you to travel the

trails where stage coaches and

wagon trains challenged the

hostilities of time.

Discover Old West Country, where

history is your companion.

• Deming

• Las Cruce

s

• Lordsburg

• Reserve/G

lenwood

• Silver City

• Socorro

• Truth or

Consequenc

es

OLD WEST COUNTRY(Southwest Region 2)

P.O. Box 884Silver City, NM 88062

1-800-290-8330www.oldwestcountry.com

e-mail: [email protected]

SOUTHWESTNEW MEXICO

OLDWEST OLDWEST

Country

Visit our website and register to win a FREE weekend

in our $2,000 Vacation Getaway contest.

www.oldwestcountry.com

Documents

Old West Trails 2001-02