Apache Tejo facts for kids
Apache Tejo was a small settlement and a place where people could get water in the New Mexico Territory. It was located about 12 miles southeast of Silver City. Today, it's near Hurley and the Grant County Airport. Apache Tejo was also on an old trail that connected Santa Rita to Janos in Mexico. There was even a railroad stop here a long time ago.
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What's in a Name?
The name Apache Tejo has a bit of a mystery around it. Some people think it came from the name of a Chihenne Native American leader from the 1770s, named Pachiteju. Others believe it might have been called Apache de Ho(o), which could mean 'Apache water'.
Fort McLane: A Military Post
In 1860, the U.S. Army built a fort here called Fort McLane. It was built next to a small spring, which provided plenty of water. The area also had enough trees and grass for the fort's needs.
- Original Name: The fort was first named Fort Floyd, after the Secretary of War at the time, John B. Floyd.
- Name Change: Later, John B. Floyd joined the Confederacy during the American Civil War. Because of this, the fort's name was changed to honor Captain George McLane. Captain McLane was a soldier who had been killed by Navajo people.
- Abandonment: Fort McLane was used for a few years but was finally closed down in 1864.
A Meeting with Mangas Coloradas
During the time of the Apache Wars, a famous Apache chief named Mangas Coloradas met with white settlers at Apache Tejo around 1863. According to Geronimo, another well-known Apache leader, the Apache people were promised food and supplies if they agreed to peace.
- The Outcome: Mangas Coloradas and his people came to the meeting as planned. Sadly, after he surrendered, he was killed.
Billy the Kid's Connection
In 1877, the famous outlaw Billy the Kid spent some time at Apache Tejo. He joined a group of people there.
Owen Wister's Visit
Owen Wister is often called the "father of western fiction." He visited the Apache Tejo ranch in 1895.
- His Description: Wister described the ranch as a beautiful "little oasis." It had a hay field, cottonwood trees, a spring, and pretty flowers and grass around the adobe house.
- Inspiration for a Novel: The foreman of the ranch, Dean Duke, actually helped inspire the main character in Wister's famous novel, The Virginian.
Apache Tejo Hot Springs
Apache Tejo was also home to hot springs. The water from these springs was about 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34 degrees Celsius).
- Water Source: The Chino Copper company used these hot springs as a water source for their Chino mine. They built a pumping station and a wooden pipeline to carry the water to Hurley.
- Current Status: Today, the spring no longer flows.
- Hurley's Water: As of 1916, the water from these springs was also used to supply drinking water to the town of Hurley.
- Mine Tailings: A large pond of waste materials from the mine, called a tailings pond, is located about 1 mile southeast of Apache Tejo.
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