Looking back
Discover the past — from ancient ruins to mining towns to outlaws
Anyone interested in experiencing the Old West should travel to southern New Mexico where the likes of outlaw Billy the Kid, legendary Apache chief Geronimo, and lawmen El Fago Baca and Pat Garrett once roamed among the dust, tumbleweeds, yucca plants and cactus.
The New Mexico Tourism Department has dubbed the southwest corner of the state Old West Country in honor of its past, which includes now defunct mining towns, travel and trade routes, outlaws and homes of the area’s original inhabitants.
Truth or Consequences
Truth or Consequences, which is located in Sierra County off Interstate 25, has about 6,000 residents. It’s known for its hot springs and for renaming itself after a popular television game show in 1950. It’s along the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway.
Linda Johnson, a volunteer at the Sierra County Visitors Center, says the town draws people from around the state and country.
“We are a service community,” she says. “People come here for healing.”
Visitors can enjoy the nearly dozen spas and bath houses in the town’s Hot Springs District. Prices range anywhere from $5 up to $35 an hour, Johnson says.
The second Saturday of every month, the town also has an Art Hop from 6 to 9 p.m. Johnson says the galleries stay open late and offer refreshments.
For those wanting to explore a little more, there’s plenty to do outside of town. When the river is full, visitors can kayak or tube down the river.
Elephant Butte Lake State Park is about five miles east of town.
For the science nerds or those curious about space travel, tours of Spaceport America can be purchased in the same building as the visitors center in
T or C. The spaceport is a 45-minute trip from
T or C and only accessible on the tour bus. The tours are only offered Saturdays and feature a flight simulator and interactive exhibits related to space travel. Advance tickets are $50 for adults and $29.99 for children 12 and under. Same day tickets are an additional $10.
For information about things to do in or around T or C, visit sierracountynewmexico.info or call 575-894-1968.
Las Cruces
Las Cruces is the state’s second largest city with a population of more than 100,000. It’s located at the intersection of I-25 and Interstate 10. It’s also about 30 minutes from El Paso and the Mexican border.
This part of the state is known for growing the favorite fruit of many New Mexicans — chile. Visitors can embark on the Green Chile Trail to get a glimpse of this industry. The trail features restaurants, chile companies and grocery stores. There are also wine and ale trails for lovers of vino and craft beer. The wine trail features nine wineries and the ale trail has six breweries.
The city also has a plethora of museums including the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. The museum aims to preserve the area’s farming, rural and ranching traditions by giving the public a glimpse into that way of life. The museum includes blacksmith demonstrations, a livestock tour and exhibits featuring farm implements and antique equipment. The museum is located at 4100 Dripping Springs Road and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors 69 and older, and children ages 4-17 are $3. Active military and veterans pay $2.
The small town of Mesilla is adjacent to Las Cruces and features Old Mesilla Plaza, a National Historic Landmark. Billy the Kid once stood trial for murder inside a Mesilla courtroom.
For information about the Las Cruces area, visit lascrucescvb.org or call 575-541-2444.
Silver City
This former mining town is in the southwest corner of the state. It boasts a vibrant arts community and is a gateway to the Gila National Forest, which offers not only a chance to bond with nature but a cultural snapshot of New Mexico’s past.
The city has about 10,000 residents and sits along the Trail of Mountain Spirits National Scenic Byway. Rebecca Martin, visitor services and tourism coordinator for Silver City, says they city’s proximity to the wilderness makes it an attractive destination. A major attraction of the forest is the Gila Cliff Dwellings. The Mogollon peoples called the area home, building rooms into the side of the mountain in the forest that would eventually become the country’s first national wilderness area.
“In 15 minutes, you are in the in forest and near abundant hiking,” Martin says. “The dwellings are very popular.”
The city itself offers a rich variety of options for arts and entertainment. Martin says the city has three theater groups, more than 20 art galleries and murals painted around town by local students. This summer the city will host a blues festival, a rodeo, a Latin festival and a clay festival.
“And you can eat like a champ here,” she says. “We have plenty of delightful restaurants.”
For information, visit visitsilvercity.org or call 575-538-5555.