Colfax County Courthouse (Springer, New Mexico) facts for kids
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Colfax County Courthouse in Springer
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Former courthouse in 2008
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 Location in New Mexico
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| Location | 614 Maxwell Ave., Springer, New Mexico |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1882 |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| MPS | County Courthouses of New Mexico TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000883 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 7, 1987 |
The Colfax County Courthouse in Springer, New Mexico, is a historic building. It was once the main government office for Colfax County in New Mexico. This building served as the county seat from 1881 until 1897.
You can find the courthouse at 614 Maxwell Avenue in Springer. Today, it is a museum dedicated to the famous Santa Fe Trail. The building was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
About the Building
The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad arrived in the area in 1881. Because of this, the main county office moved from Cimarron to what became Springer. Construction on the new courthouse began in 1879.
The building was designed in the Second Empire Style. This style was common for courthouses in New Mexico at that time. It is a two-story building with a balanced look. It has a sloped roof and arched windows. A tall, three-story tower sticks out from the front.
The main courtroom was located on the second floor. The judge's offices were at the back of the building. Later, a single brick jail cell was added behind the courthouse.
History of the Courthouse
The courthouse lawn was the site of an important event in 1885. It was where one of the last major conflicts of the Colfax County War took place.
In 1897, the county seat moved again. This time, it went from Springer to Raton, about forty miles north. This change happened after a public vote and new laws. The county clerk in Springer did not want to give up the county records. So, officials had to take them by force.
From 1910 to 1917, the courthouse had a new purpose. It was the first home of the New Mexico Reform School. This school was later renamed the New Mexico Industrial School for Boys. After that, the building housed Springer's town offices and the public library.
In 1965, the people of Springer voted on the building's future. They decided to turn it into a museum. This museum would focus on the history of the Santa Fe Trail.
See also
