2004 Most Endangered

Most Endangered Places in New Mexico 2004

• Albuquerque Locomotive Shops, Bernalillo County
  
• Motel Blvd. / Old U.S. Highway 80
  
• Aztec Ruins National Monument
  
• Marked and Unmarked Cemeteries Throughout New Mexico
  
• Mesa Prieta
  
• The Hoyle House
  
• Traditional Village of Agua Fria
  
• Folsom Hotel
  
• Lake Valley Ghost Town
  
• Valle Vidal Unit
  
• St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church
  

Lake Valley Ghost Town

Sierra County. Nominated by Neal W. Ackerly, Silver City

SIGNIFICANCE This now-abandoned mining town is located on New Mexico 27 between Hillsboro and Nutt. The town once contained scores of structures, including residences, stores, liveries, and a railroad depot. As the town was gradually abandoned when the ore played out, many of its structures were stripped and their materials were used elsewhere. Today there are 12 standing structures in what was the heart of town. Lake Valley is owned by the Bureau of Land Management and is on the New Mexico Register of Historic Places.

Lake Valley encapsulates several major aspects of Western settlement history. At first a ranching area, the community went through the common transition from the initial mining boom following rich ore strikes in 1881 to development as a stable mining community to the eventual bust that has now culminated in its abandonment. It is associated with George D. Roberts, a notorious mining swindler, and is the site of one of the last Apache raids on Anglo settlements in southern New Mexico. The subsequent battle with the 9th Cavalry also links the town to the famous "Buffalo Soldiers."

THREAT The structures still standing at Lake Valley have received insufficient stabilization and renovation funds since being transferred to federal control. As a consequence, many of the buildings, already deteriorated, have continued to decay, and if left unattended much longer will eventually disappear.