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 But the boom was not to last for
Madrid. When natural gas began to be the more popular fuel for
home heating, the demand for coal began to fall.
The town of
Madrid collapsed along with the coal market. In 1954, the
Albuquerque and
Cerrillos Coal Company ceased to operate and almost all of its
residents moved away.
However, by the early 1970’s a number
artists, craftsmen, and other individuals wanting to make their homes
in the mountains, began to move into the area and
Madrid was reborn. Today this unique and picturesque small town is
a haven for day trippers and travelers along the historic
Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway, as they stop to browse its many
shops, cafes and bed & breakfast inns.
Though most of the old company houses
have been restored, this poor
crumbling thing remains in its
original condition, just waiting for a buyer with
a lot of enthusiasm.
Photo June, 2006, Kathy Weiser.
This image available for photographic
prints
HERE!
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Just north of
Madrid is a quirky little place that if you don’t look closely
could be mistaken for a junk yard. Called
Tiny Town, this mixture of cast off toys, bones, and other
junk, proudly displays a sign at its entrance: "If it isn’t broke,
dead, or rusted, well I just can’t use it.” As the sign
implies, a short sojourn through this roadside display will turn
up all manner of strange displays in this ever-evolving miniature
ghost
town.
Los
Cerrillos
Before long, you will arrive at
Los
Cerrillos,
best known its beautiful blue-green turquoise mined in the
Cerrillos
Hills as early as 900 A.D. One of the oldest historically
documented mining districts in the United States, this almost
"ghost-town” is a must stop along your journey of the
Turquoise Trail.
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Tiny Town "Art" Display? June, 2006, Kathy Weiser
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The What Not Shop on the left carries
a variety of antiques and a beer can still be had at Mary's Bar, Kathy Weiser, 2006.
This
image available for photographic prints
HERE! |
Beginning with
Native American miners followed by the Spaniards, the area
boomed in the 1880’s when gold, silver and lead mines began to
operate in the area. In no town, the population of
Los
Cerrillos
had grown to over 2,000 souls who supported four hotels, 21
saloons
and numerous other businesses. Like so many other boom towns,
Los
Cerrillos
played out when the minerals were gone. However, the town
has made a partial rebirth as numerous people find this historic
Old West
settlement and its many sites, including the
Los
Cerrillos
Historic Park, adobe homes and businesses, Saint Joseph’s Church,
a museum, and more.
Beyond
Los
Cerrillos
the trail continues to meander through the Galisteo Basin that
once supported a very large Pueblo population in 1300 A.D. The
area, known for its razor-back rock formations called "Garden of
the Gods” is home to the Eaves Movie Ranch, where more than 100
movies have been filmed.
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Just north of Lone
Butte/San Marcos travelers reach the end of the Trail, where it meets
historic
Route 66 and
Santa Fe.
Contact
Information:
Turquoise Trail Association
888-263-0003
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© Kathy Weiser/Legends
of America, updated October, 2010.
Also See:
Golden, New
Mexico Has Seen Better Days
Los Cerrillos
- 2,000 Years of History
Madrid - A Ghost
Town Reborn
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The Saint Joseph Church, built in
1922, stills provides
mass every Sunday. Kathy Weiser,
June, 2006.
This
image available for photographic prints
HERE!
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Hollywood's Gene Kelly had this "town" built in 1969 for the
filming of a movie he was producing, Cheyenne Social Club,
starring Jimmy Stuart and Henry Fonda. In the years since it has
hosted the likes of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Kevin Costner,
Kevin Kline, and Johnny Cash. When it isn't serving as a Wild West
backdrop for cameras, it is open to the public for tours. The J.
W. Eaves Movie Ranch is about 10 miles south of
Santa Fe.
Photo by Mark Nohl, courtesy
New
Mexico Tourism.
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