It has stood forlorn and mostly empty alongside the railroad tracks in las vegas for decades a throwback to when train travel opened up. Attractions near new mexico steam locomotive and railroad historical society. Click here to view the complete record for this item. Rawlins building, 515 railroad avenue, las vegas, san. May 20, 2019 its rich history with wild west flavor makes it a mustsee stop for those driving along route 66 in new mexico.
Las vegas is an amtrak train station at railroad avenue and lincoln street in las vegas, new. A good place to start a tour is the railroad avenue historic district. Its not lv, nevada, the signs are referring to, its las vegas nm. Though not as well known as other wild west towns, such as dodge city, deadwood, or tombstone. Group tours can be arranged on any day by appointment. Railroads have an important place in new mexico s history. Textiles, furniture, whiskey, metal tools, and tobacco could be bought cheaper from the us than from mexico and sold in the merchant establishments of las vegas.
The rawlins building was constructed in 1899, and is representative of the large, often italianate in appearance, commercial structures built in las vegas as a result of the railroad. In total, new mexico now is home to nearly 2,000 miles of trackage although at one time the state was home to nearly 3,000 miles. Between carrizozo and coalora, the line utilized two switchbacks in order to cross indian divide, just south of vera cruz mountain. Las vegas, is said to have been the worst of the worst of the old west. The rh foremans office bldg 112, built 1929and the related washroom brick structures also stand. The amtrak train still stops at the las vegas railway station just down the street from the castaneda hotel. In later years, it was an intensely violent place, an equal to dodge city. Railroads and railroad towns of new mexico clark, wm on.
North central santa fe has a rich cultural history and used to be considered the capital for the spanish kingdom of new mexico. If youre looking for glitz and big time games, youre going to be disappointed. One ledger book of deed descriptions and handdrawn maps of property in santa fe owned by the new mexico central railroad co. The countrys first attempt at railroad building began in the mid1840s. Notable dates in new mexico s railroad history november 1, 1878 building southward from colorado the atchison, topeka and santa fe railway reaches new mexico via the raton pass, beating out their rival company the denver and rio grande. The great depression hit the community hard, and with the eventual decline of the railroad industry with the postwar rise of automobile and truck travel, las vegas turned into only a passing. Jul 15, 2008 the railroad no longer owns it now an ag storage facility. Interesting history of las vegas, new mexico and the santa. While gps technology allows us to pinpoint any location on the planet, mark the location, and share it with others, waymarking is the toolset for categorizing and adding unique information for that location. Find out who lives on railroad ave, las vegas, nm 87701. Las vegas is a city in and the county seat of san miguel county, new mexico, united states.
Las vegas is an amtrak train station at railroad avenue and lincoln street in las vegas, new mexico. Listed are the generous sponsors who enabled the celebration event and the partners that formed the organizing committee and planned the variety of railroad history activities. The hotel castaneda is a historic fred harvey hotel located in las vegas, new mexico, along. On wednesdays and saturdays, a tow vehicle nicknamed lurch hauls the loco out of its engine house. Visitors can check in, borrow a hard hat, and be given a personal tour guide who will present a handson. Sponsors an hispanic womanowned small business incorporated in new mexico providing. Las vegas, new mexico has been characterized as two towns, one place. The village soon became a major trading center on the santa fe trail, which contributed to its growth and development. The beautiful rawlings building across railroad ave from the castaneda was a dormitory for the las vegas harvey girls. Thank you for being our guest, and for helping us save this remarkable history. Las vegas eclectic architecture and vibrant history also make it a place worth preserving and redeveloping.
Texas new mexico railroad eunice, nm railroads mapquest. It suffered a major setback in 1905 when a new rail line was built in new mexico between the towns of clovis and belen, cutting off las vegas in the north. Railroad avenue historic district las vegas, new mexico. But, if youre looking for great victorian architecture, and an interesting chunk of new mexico history, youre in for a treat.
See the links below for previous releases, along with information about obtaining photographs to accompany your coverage. Railroads in new mexico history railroads in new mexico. With local, state, and federal funding, las vegas has made significant progress through historic preservation, main street redevelopment, and supporting the arts and cultural activities. It was during these notorious days of las vegas history that the town was. Texasnew mexico railway the handbook of texas online. Las vegas, nm roundhouse trains magazine trains news wire. Notable dates in new mexicos railroad history railroads. New mexico san miguel county las vegas notes significance. The railroad no longer owns it now an ag storage facility. Built in 1899, the twostory brick station building was designed in the spanish mission style and features a red tile roof, ornate metal brackets and a curving parapet. The subsequent history of new mexico railroads is one of persistent struggle, slow eclipse, and corporate consolidation. According to steve glischinskis book, santa fe railway, in its quest to drive further westward, spearheaded by leader william barstow strong, it had pushed some 178 miles into new mexico by the end of 1879. Eleven years after its founding in 1835, it was the first settlement in mexico reached by invading us troops in the mexicanamerican war. Its rich history with wild west flavor makes it a mustsee stop for those driving along route 66 in new mexico.
Order online tickets tickets see availability directions location. When the atchison, topeka, and santa fe railroad reached the settlement in. To discuss the value of existing and potential railstotrails in new mexico. The texas new mexico railway company was chartered on november 19, 1927, to build from a point on the texas and pacific railway near monahans in ward county to kermit, near the texas new mexico state line, a distance of about thirtyfive miles. With local, state, and federal funding, las vegas has made significant progress through historic preservation, main street redevelopment, and supporting the.
Interesting history of las vegas, new mexico and the santa fe. Getting lost in history in the other las vegas the new york times. Notable dates in new mexicos railroad history railroads in. Welcome to the latest installment of our mediarelease series, telling new mexico. New mexicos railroads university of new mexico press. The roundhouse was then used as a wool and hide warehouse. Aug 30, 2019 to discuss the value of existing and potential railstotrails in new mexico. The state of new mexico is often thought as americas quintessential southwest.
During the railroad era las vegas boomed, quickly becoming one of the. The mission of the new mexico steam locomotive and railroad historical society is to preserve nm rich railroading history. From a bygone era of narrowgauge lines to todays amtrak service, this book covers both the short lines and the branches feeding to main lines of major railroad systems. Rescued by the new mexico steam locomotive and railroad historical society a 501c3 nonprofit in 2000 and moved to a restoration site in 2002 the 2926 is open to the public for free hard hat tours weather permitting every wednesday and saturday from 9. Gateway to glorieta, a history of las vegas, new mexico southwest heritage lynn iwin perrigo on. Once two separate municipalities one a city and the other a town, both were named las vegaswest las vegas old town and east las vegas new town. The great railroad building era in new mexico ended with world war i, when eleven common carriers operated 3,000 miles of track. Lost light, reap the bitter wind, the military occupation of new mexico. It also examines the history of new mexico land grants, hispano mountain culture, the origination of the town footprint, the boom of territorial las vegas, and the cultural diversity that existed.
Situated in a wonderful valley in the san miguel county, this city has both victorian and soanbsih influences throughout its architecture. Las vegas new mexico is a unique city in new mexico. The great railroadbuilding era in new mexico ended with world war i, when eleven common carriers operated 3,000 miles of track. It is well known that part of the diversity of the. Located in the heart of las cruces, the museum presents exhibits, lectures, classes, and activities for kids of all ages and fun for the whole family. Once two separate municipalities one a city and the other a town, both were named las vegas west las vegas old town and east las vegas new town. Fray angelico chavez history library, new mexico history museum, santa fe, new mexico link. Gateway to glorieta, a history of las vegas, new mexico.
A wider variety of people more readily moved into the area, including. Las vegas, new mexico as wicked as dodge city legends of. Las vegas was the hq for the old new mexico division prior to 1964. In reality the land of enchantment actually contains considerable pine forests, mountains, and even bitterly cold weather in some regions. Las vegas new mexico is the county seat of san miguel county and combines two once separate towns. Railroads have an important place in new mexicos history. Take exit 345 for nm104nm65 toward interstate 25university avenue. Located on the edge of the eastern plains of new mexico las vegas is said to have.
May 11, 2019 if youre looking for glitz and big time games, youre going to be disappointed. Uncover property values, resident history, neighborhood safety score, and more. Rawlins building, 515 railroad avenue, las vegas, san miguel. Full text of historical sketch of las vegas, new mexico. The railroad museum is housed in las cruces historic 1910 santa fe depot. Restaurants near new mexico steam locomotive and railroad historical society, albuquerque on tripadvisor. Aside from bnsf and up, however, you can catch short line action as well such as the santa fe southern railway, southwestern railroad, texasnew mexico railroad, and the arizona eastern railway. Neither the culture nor the economy of mexico favored the development of railroads, nor was the dry, mountainous country hospitable to the iron horse. Visitors can check in, borrow a hard hat, and be given a personal tour guide who will present a handson introduction to. Santa fe depot visitors center will feature ongoing build of a permanent operating model railroad layout designed and built by santa fe model railroad club. Gateway to glorieta, a history of las vegas, new mexico southwest heritage.
Cimarroncita railway wilderness resort established 1908. The texasnew mexico railway company was chartered on november 19, 1927, to build from a point on the texas and pacific railway near monahans in ward county to kermit, near the texasnew mexico state line, a distance of about thirtyfive miles. Las vegas, new mexico as wicked as dodge city legends. Las vegas, new mexico was established in 1835 by thirtyseven pioneers from the nearby town of san miguel del bado. These days, visitors can enjoy the many museums, galleries and dining options available in this beautiful and historic city. Association of american railroads 2003, railroad service in new mexico. This history of las vegas covers both the city of las vegas, nevada and the las vegas valley. Presentation of details on railstotrails efforts in cloudcroft, capitan, santa fe, las vegas, and raton nm. Las vegas, new mexico, is 70 years older than the nevada city of the same name. When the railroad arrived from the north it immediately took up rapid transport of goods and passengers such as had previously come in along the santa fe trail, fueling a new prosperity and growth in the territory.
Notable dates in new mexicos railroad history november 1, 1878 building southward from colorado the atchison, topeka and santa fe railway reaches new mexico via the raton pass, beating out their rival company the denver and rio grande. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. It has stood forlorn and mostly empty alongside the railroad tracks in las vegas for decades. Las vegas, new mexico images of america series by mitch. Restaurants near new mexico steam locomotive and railroad.
The steel, steam, and dreams of a century of railroading in new mexico are captured in 200 photographs and a crisp text. This station is not las vegas, nevada there are no casino resorts in this city. Rawlins building, 515 railroad avenue, las vegas, san miguel county, nm contributor names. Railroads in new mexico history albuquerque public library. Railroad avenue historic district, las vegas, new mexico. Las vegas new mexico and san miguel county info site an. View all attractions near new mexico steam locomotive and railroad historical society on tripadvisor. After the arrival of the railroad in 1879, las vegas became one of the important towns in the southwest. Who lives on railroad ave, las vegas, nm 87701 spokeo. Castaneda hotel, railroad avenue, las vegas, san miguel. After the santa fe railroad stopped using the roundhouse it was was sold to the ja taichert company in the 1930s. New mexico steam locomotive and railroad historical society.