2024-8-23 Around Town and Wildlife in Ruidoso NM

 Here we are back here touring around in Ruidoso. lots of color on the shops down town.

We saw this unique building off of Hwy 70 West. It leads into a neighborhood but this part is actually storage units. Creative reuse from whatever it was originally but still pretty eyecatching..

Looking down from a neighborhood road. They have some pretty steep roads and driveways.

This is Grindstone Lake where you could swim, hike around the lake, see eagles if you are incredibly lucky, and there is a riding stable. There a few campspots but the road was very steep and currently blocked off.

Back downtown, Roswell isn't the only New Mexico town that embraces aliens from outer space.

This looks more like Yogi Bear than Smokey the Bear but then Smokey is in Capistan.

Ruidoso embraces it's reputation as a fun town.

Yes, this is one of those stores. Mary Jane, weed, pot, whatever you want to call it is very popular here. We were told that the taxes from sales have done wonders for the roads but you couldn't prove it by me as we ran into potholes everywhere. If you are looking to see where "Pepi le Peau" is when you think you smell him, it might just be your neighbor lighting up.

Couldn't resist including the wild horses again. They just appear.

We were not fortunate to see the big herd of elk cruising through town but we did run into this group of moms and calves strolling in a neighborhood.

They cross the road right in downtown Ruidoso so you have to keep your eyes open.

Ran into Big Foot in the same neighborhood.

Couldn't resist a photo of this very colorful display of items for sale.

Ran across this old mill right on the main road too but didn't see any more info about it.

It's fun just driving around to see what you can see.

2024-8-22 The Road to Alamogordo NM

 Heading towards Alamogordo from Ruidoso, we stopped at St Joseph Apache Mission church based on recommendations from friends. It was definitely worth the stop. 

The mission build was started in 1920 by Father Albert Braun and several volunteers after the design was provided by noted architect Willam Stanton. Tony Leyva was the stonemason who volunteered his service. All material is native to the area. The building was considered complete in 1939. The windows were boarded up for years due to lack of fund. The present windows were designed for the building and installed in 1961. The building is designed in the shape of a cross.

The artwork is uniquely Apache.

There was a huge controversy when the Apache Christ Icon and other art work was secretly removed by the Parish Pastor, Members of the Knights of Columbus, and the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Los Cruces. After significant efforts, it was finally returned. You can read about it on the mission website.

Father Braun is buried inside the church.

The scenery leaving the area where the church is located is significantly different than Ruidoso.

We stopped for a quick tour of Tularosa.

Then the final stop at McGinn's Pistachioland. It was quite hot so we didn't take the tour of the trees. they have an extensive store. And an ice cream stand where you can get Blue Bell ice cream or their own pistachio ice cream.

One more scenic overlook stop.

2024-8-18 Ft Stanton Historic Site.

 One of our trips beyond Ruidoso was to Ft Stanton Historic Site.

Ft Stanton has an amazing history. It was established in 1855 as part of a campaign to get the Mescalero Apaches under control. It was abandoned by the Union army on August 2, 1861 due to the Civil war. It was taken over by Confederate troops from August 10 to September 10 when it was again abandoned. On September 27, 1862, it was again reopened and occupied by troops in October. The Mescaleros surrendered in 1863 and were kept in captivity at Ft Sumner for three years before they escaped back to the Sierra Blana mountains. Ft Stanton was used as a reservation until 1873.

Lincoln County was established in 1869 and was the largest county in the country. From 1873 to 1880, Ft Stanton troops were often the only law and order available. There were many wars between the settlers including the infamous Lincoln County War. From 1880 to 1890 there were again problems with the Indians under chiefs, Victorio, Nana, and Geronimo. The fort was no longer needed for Indian control by 1896.

In 1899, Fort Stanton was established as the first hospital in the country dedicated to treatment of tuberculosis and was under the Marine Hospital Service. Many patients were foreign seamen who had served at least 3 months onboard a United States flagged ship.

From 1933-1940, a Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) was located across the river and the boys helped with work at the fort and with the forest service.

In 1939 at the outbreak of the war in Europe a German luxury liner, SD Columbus, after unloading all passengers in Cuba and under orders from Hitler to avoid capture, scuttled their ship off the east coast of the U.S. 575 German survivors were rescued and sent to Ellis Island, on to San Francisco Bay, and ultimately to the CCC camp at Ft Stanton. After war was declared with Germany, they were considered prisoners of war. In 1945, they were repatriated to Germany.

The fort was transferred to the State of New Mexico in 1953.  From 1963 to 1996 it was converted to Ft Stanton Hospital and Training Center for the mentally challenged.

From 1996 to 1999 the fort was used by the State Corrections Facility as a women's low security corrections facility. From 200-2009 it was operated as a drug rehabilitation center.

Preservation efforts were also ongoing. In 1998 the Friends of Fort Stanton attained 501c status and became Fort Stanton, Inc. A Museum and Visitors Center operated by Fort Stanton, Inc., opened in the old Community Center. Governor Bill Richardson designated Fort Stanton as a New Mexico State Monument in 2007 and it was transferred to the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and State Monuments in 2008. It was renamed the fort Stanton State Historic Site in 2013. There are currently 4 buildings that are open and filled with exhibits. More renovation is underway.

Wow......how many places have you been that have served so many purposes for so many years?