Mogollon - Surviving All Odds

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In the meantime, Michael Cooney who had taken over the original claims after his brother’s death, was also destined to tragedy. In 1914, he was still combing the mountains for yet more gold. However in October, he failed to return home. Search parties were sent out to look for him, but at the high elevation and winter's arrival, they were forced to abandon their search. Four months later, Michael Cooney’s body was discovered in a nearby canyon. He had frozen to death.  

By 1915, Mogollon’s population stood at about 1,500 residents, who enjoyed new utilities such as electricity, water and telephones.

Old buildings line Mogollon's main street today,

Kathy Weiser, February, 2008.

In 1914, the building was sold to a Philadelphia barber named James Holland who opened a barbershop and general store on the first floor and continued to rent rooms on the upper level.  Holland continued to operate his businesses for more than three decades, until in 1948, with no more customers, he abandoned not only the building, but also the town, and headed for California. However, the building was saved in 1980 by current owner Stan King, who renovated it to the Silver Creek Inn of today. The historic building continues to cater to customers today, providing rooms with character and great food.

Across the street stands the Mogollon Museum, housed in the 1905 Coates & Moore building, which served as a general merchandise store for decades. Since 1951 it has been serving as a museum, displaying local history and numerous mining artifacts. The museum is open weekends from May through October. Next to the museum stands Holland’s Furniture and Notions, as well as another historic two story building.

Today, the building that once served as the Mogollon

 House  and J.P. Holland's Store is the Silver Creek Inn, February, 2008, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints

 and downloads HERE!

Once known as the Midway Theatre, the Mogollon Theatre

 is one of the town's original old buildings, built around

 the turn of the century, February, 2008, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints

 and downloads HERE!

Further down the road is the old Silver Creek Stage Stop; the old Kelly Store, which continues to house antiques and curios, the Mogollon Theatre, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, which is undergoing renovation, as well as a number of old homes and cabins. A saloon and general store also stand; however, these are not original buildings, rather were part of a 1973 movie set, for a western called My Name is Nobody and starring Henry Fonda.

Beyond the church and up a very steep hill, the road winds some two miles upward to Mogollon's 1891 cemetery. In 1918, Mogollon, like places all over the world, suffered from the deadly influenza pandemic that erupted during the final stages of World War I. Legend tells us that there is a mass grave of flu victims at the cemetery due to people dying faster than they could bury them. However, there is no marked site. A high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle is required to drive up the rough road.

Mogollon is about 12 miles northeast of Glenwood, New Mexico. To get there from Glenwood, take NM 180 about 3 miles northwest to NM-159 (Bursum Road) and turn right (east.)  Bursom Road travels through the San Francisco River Valley, at first slowly climbing through fertile ranchlands for about two miles before quickly ascending the west flank of the Mogollon Mountains.

Along the more than 2,000 foot ascent, the road becomes steep and narrow in many places before reaching Mogollon some seven miles later. Along the way, there are a number of spectacular views and the terrain is dotted with mining remains. Also watch for abundant wildlife including small herds of Javelina (wild pigs) and glimpses of the White-Nosed Coati, a curious ring-tailed cat which inhabits parts of the southwest.

Though this old building looks as if it might have been an authentic general store during Mogollon's heydays, it was actually built as part of a 1973 movie set for a western called My Name is Nobody, starring Henry Fonda.

For More Information:

Mogollon Enterprises

Mogollon, New Mexico

© Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, March, 2008

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