2002 Most Endangered

Most Endangered Places in New Mexico 2002

• White Sands National Monument Visitor Center, Otero
  
• Carrizozo Woman's Club, Lincoln
  
• D.D. Monroe Civic Building, Union
  
• New Mexico Public Welfare Building (The Villagra Building), Santa Fe
  
• The Whittlesey House, Bernalillo
  
• Edgewood Schoolhouse, Santa Fe
  
• Glorieta Battlefield, Santa Fe
  
• Castaneda Hotel, San Miguel
  
• The Hondo Valley, Lincoln
  
• Las Cruces Downtown Main Street, Dona Ana
  

Carrizozo Woman's Club, Lincoln

Significance: This 1939 WPA building, constructed of locally made adobes, is a crucial element of the civic pride and heritage of Carrizozo. The unique personality of the Woman's Club is conveyed by the circular room with a viga ceiling resembling the spokes of a wagon and the curvilinear parapet on the front façade with the date"1939" in large raised letters. The building is at the heart of community life, having served continually as the Woman's Club for 63 years.

Threat: Climatic elements and vegetation are contributing to the deterioration of this adobe structure, which is afflicted with dry rot. Moisture has been collecting at the base of the walls for many years because of the lack of slope away from the building and from landscape irrigation. Outdated wiring also poses a threat to the building's safety. Cosmetic repairs disguise the extent to which the building is threatened.

UPDATE: Lynda Sanchez reports that the September visit from Historic Preservation Division's John Murphey was appreciated and helpful to folks in Carrizozo. John provided a Historic Preservation Workshop and 25 people attended. This was a good way to raise the public consciousness about preservation and make people aware of the Carrizozo Woman's Club building. Lynda says they will continue to work to overcome public apathy and look for ways to raise funds.