Shakespeare, New Mexico - Reborn Again and Again

Shakespeare - Born Again and Again

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On one occasion, a well known outlaw by the name of Sandy King was making his home in Shakespeare and when he got into an argument with a storekeeper and shot off his index finger, he was quickly taken to jail Deputy Sheriff Dan Tucker. At about the same time, an area horse thief named William Tattenbaum, but better known as "Russian Bill" was tracked down on November 9, 1881 and also held in the pokey. Before the night was over, both outlaws were dragged from the jail by vigilantes and taken to the Grant House, where they were lynched. They were still hanging when the stage stopped the next morning and the passengers disembarked for breakfast.

Though the historic settlement didn't gain a terrible reputation like the likes of Tombstone, Arizona, old-timers in the area will tell you that a number of well known rugged types often made called the area home during its heydays - outlaws such as "Curly Bill" Brocious, the Clantons, Johnny Ringo, Black Jack Ketchum, and others.

Inside the Grant House Dining room, hanging ropes dangle

from the ceiling testifying to a more violent past in Shakespeare, New Mexico, February, 2008, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints and

downloads HERE!

But, the biggest threat to Shakespeare was the Apache Indians who were doing everything they could to get rid of the white settlers who had encroached upon their land. The Shakespeare Guard was formed in the 1880’s to protect the settlement from attacks. However, in 1883, influential area residents, Judge and Mrs. McComas, were killed by the Apache and their son, Charlie was kidnapped. Though the Guard offered a reward and attempted to track the Indians down, they were unsuccessful.

In the early 1880’s the railroad pushed through the area, but to Shakespeare's undoing, it missed the town by three miles, heading through Lordsburg instead. By this time, Shakespeare was called home to some 200 people and boasted three saloons, two hotels, two blacksmiths, a meat market, a mercantile store, and a lawyer. It also finally had a deputy sheriff.

But the railroad would spell the end of Shakespeare, as most of its businesses moved to nearby Lordsburg. At the same time, the United States moved to the gold standard, putting the silver mines out of business. Most of Shakespeare's residents moved on taking any salvageable material with them.

In 1907, when a new copper mine about a mile south of Shakespeare was built, the town saw a short resurgence, as miners rented many of the buildings in the old town. But, it was not enough to revive it permanently.

In 1935, the Frank and Rita Hill purchased the town and buildings to utilize as a working ranch. They maintained and preserved one of the most intact ghost towns of the Old West. The entire town was declared a National Historic Site in 1970. That same year, Frank Hill passed away, but his wife, Rita, and daughter, Janaloo, continued to maintain the site. In 1984, Janaloo married Manny Hough and the following year, her mother, Rita, passed away.

Janaloo, along with her new husband, continued to maintain the ranch and the town. A prolific writer, Janaloo was determined to keep Shakespeare's history alive. Researching the "ranch," its history, and collecting numerous photographs, she published a number of books until her untimely death in 2005.

This historic General merchandise Store, which served as Janaloo Hill and Manny Hough's home was burned in a fire in 1997. Current efforts are underway to rebuild the structure.

In 1997, Shakespeare lost its General Merchandise Store in a devastating fire. Unfortunately, for Manny and Janaloo, this was also their home and much of her hard-earned research material, including photos and unpublished manuscripts, went up in smoke.

Today, Manny honors his wife and her family by continuing to preserve the ghost town and their legacy.

Shakespeare continues to be preserved.

A number of buildings remain, including the Grant House, which was once housed the stage station; a saloon, the Stratford Hotel, the old mail station, a blacksmith shop, powder magazine and the assay office. The Shakespeare Cemetery also continues to beckon visitors to visit some of the ghost town's most colorful residents.

The ghost town is privately owned and can only be toured one weekend during each month or by appointment. Several times a year, living history re-enactments are held at the historic site.

A small admission charge is required for tours, which goes to the building fund to reconstruct the General Merchandise Store.

Memberships to the Friends of Shakespeare can also be purchased which provides for free tours, a newsletter and other benefits. These funds are also utilized for the preservation of this great historic city. To help Shakespeare stay alive, memberships can be gained by clicking HERE.

Shakespeare is located about three miles south of Lordsburg, New Mexico.

At the old Stratford Hotel, a man was killed in a gunfight

over an egg, some say Billy the Kid washed dishes here briefly, and the old hotel hosted a number of New Mexico Governors, February, 2008, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints and

downloads HERE!

For more information:

Shakespeare Ghost Town
P.O. Box 253
Lordsburg, New Mexico 88045
505-542-9034

The old Powder Magazine, February, 2008, Kathy Weiser.

One can only imagine what kind of vittles were cooked up

from this old chuckwagon, February, 2008, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints

and downloads HERE!

A view of the Shakespeare area from an upstairs window

of the Stratford Hotel, February, 2008, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints and

downloads HERE!

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