National Register of Historic Places listings in Catron County, New Mexico facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about really old and important places in the United States? The National Register of Historic Places is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important to our country's history. These places are often protected so people can learn from them for many years to come.
This article will tell you about the historic places found in Catron County, New Mexico. Catron County is a large, mostly rural area in western New Mexico, known for its beautiful landscapes and rich history. There are 11 special properties and 3 larger districts listed here. One of these is even a National Monument! All these places are also recognized by the State of New Mexico as important cultural sites.
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Exploring Historic Places in Catron County
Catron County is home to many fascinating historic sites. These places tell stories about the people who lived here long ago, how they lived, and how the area developed. Let's explore some of these unique locations.
Ancient Sites and Caves
Some of the oldest listings in Catron County are places where ancient people lived. These sites give us clues about early human life in the region.
- Ake Site
* Location: Near Datil (exact location is kept secret to protect the site) * Listed: April 2, 1976 * This site is an important archaeological area. It helps experts understand ancient cultures in New Mexico.
- Bat Cave
* Location: Near Old Horse Springs (exact location is kept secret) * Listed: April 23, 1976 * Bat Cave is another significant archaeological site. It provides valuable information about prehistoric life.
- Mogollon Pueblo
* Location: Near Red Hill (exact location is kept secret) * Listed: May 5, 1978 * This site is also known as Cox Ranch Ruin. It was once a pueblo, which is a type of village built by Native American people.
Historic Fire Lookouts
Many historic fire lookout cabins are listed in Catron County. These cabins were used by forest rangers to spot wildfires from high up in the mountains. They played a crucial role in protecting the vast forests of the Gila National Forest.
- Bearwallow Mountain Lookout Cabins and Shed
* Location: Bearwallow Lookout Road in the Gila National Forest, near Bearwallow Park * Listed: January 28, 1988 * This complex includes cabins and a shed used by fire lookouts. It shows how important these stations were for forest safety.
- Black Mountain Lookout Cabin
* Location: Gila National Forest, near Black Mountain * Listed: January 28, 1988 * Another important lookout cabin, helping to protect the forest from fires.
- El Caso Lookout Complex
* Location: Gila National Forest, near El Caso Lake * Listed: January 28, 1988 * This complex was also used for fire detection and prevention.
- Mangas Mountain Lookout Complex
* Location: Mangas Mountain, near Mangas * Listed: January 28, 1988 * This lookout complex helped keep watch over the forests from Mangas Mountain.
- Mogollon Baldy Lookout Cabin
* Location: Gila National Forest, near Mogollon Baldy * Listed: January 28, 1988 * Located on Mogollon Baldy, this cabin offered a wide view for spotting fires.
Important Districts and Monuments
Some historic listings cover larger areas or special monuments that tell a bigger story about the past.
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
* Location: Off New Mexico Highway 15, north of Silver City * Listed: October 15, 1966
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* This amazing site protects ancient cliff dwellings built by the Mogollon people over 700 years ago. You can explore caves where they lived and see how they built their homes into the cliffs. It's a very special place to visit and learn about early Native American life.
- Mogollon Historic District
* Location: State Road 78, in Mogollon * Listed: September 10, 1987
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* The town of Mogollon was once a busy mining town. This historic district preserves many of its old buildings and gives visitors a glimpse into what life was like during the mining boom.
- Socorro Mines Mining Company Mill, Fannie Hill
* Location: Fannie Hill and west to Fannie Hill Mill, in Mogollon * Listed: September 10, 1987
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* This site includes the remains of a mill that was used to process ore from the mines in Mogollon. It's a reminder of the area's rich mining history and how important it was to the local economy.
