National Register of Historic Places listings in Lincoln County, New Mexico facts for kids
Welcome to Lincoln County, New Mexico! This special place is home to many historic sites. Imagine a list that helps protect important buildings, places, and areas across the United States. That's what the National Register of Historic Places is! It helps us remember and celebrate places that tell us about America's past.
Lincoln County has 34 amazing spots on this list. One of them is even a National Historic Landmark, which means it's super important to the whole country! Most of these places are also on New Mexico's own list of cultural properties. Two of them are even official state historic sites, managed by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.
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What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is like a special honor roll for historic places in the United States. It's managed by the National Park Service. When a place is added to this list, it means it's important to history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.
Being on the Register helps protect these places. It also makes them eligible for certain grants or tax benefits. It's a way to make sure future generations can learn from and enjoy these historic treasures.
Exploring Lincoln County's Special Spots
Lincoln County is full of history, from old forts to unique homes and even ancient archaeological sites. Let's explore some of the fascinating places on the National Register here.
Famous Historic Districts
Some places are so historic that a whole area is protected! These are called historic districts.
Lincoln Historic District: Step Back in Time
The Lincoln Historic District is one of the most famous places in Lincoln County. It's so important that it's a National Historic Landmark! This district is located right on U.S. Route 380 in the town of Lincoln.
This area takes you back to the late 1800s, especially during the time of the Lincoln County War. Many buildings from that era are still standing. It's like walking through a living museum! The district is also a State Historic Site, which means it's carefully preserved and open for visitors to explore.
Carrizozo Commercial Historic District
In the town of Carrizozo, you'll find the Carrizozo Commercial Historic District. This area includes buildings roughly between Brick and D Avenues, and 11th and 13th Streets. It was added to the Register in 2016. These buildings show what the town looked like when it was a busy commercial center.
White Oaks Historic District
About 12 miles northeast of Carrizozo, on State Road 349, is the White Oaks Historic District. This district was listed way back in 1970. White Oaks was once a booming mining town. The historic district preserves many of its old buildings, giving us a peek into its past.
Important Buildings and Structures
Many individual buildings and structures in Lincoln County have their own unique stories.
Fort Stanton: A Historic Military Post
Fort Stanton is a very important historic district located about 7 miles southeast of Capitan, near U.S. Route 380. This fort was built in 1855 to protect settlers and control Native American tribes. Over the years, it served many purposes, including a tuberculosis hospital and a Civilian Conservation Corps camp.
Today, Fort Stanton is a State Historic Site. You can visit and learn about its long and interesting history. It's a great place to imagine what life was like for soldiers and others who lived there.
Carrizozo Woman's Club
The Carrizozo Woman's Club building, located at 908 11th Street in Carrizozo, was added to the Register in 2003. Women's clubs were important community groups that worked to improve towns and support social causes. This building is a reminder of the important role women played in shaping Carrizozo.
Jicarilla Schoolhouse
The Jicarilla Schoolhouse is found on State Road 349 within the Lincoln National Forest. Listed in 1983, this old schoolhouse tells the story of education in rural New Mexico. It reminds us how important schools were for communities, even in remote areas.
Old Dowlin Mill
In Ruidoso, at 641 Sudderth Drive, stands the Old Dowlin Mill. This historic mill was added to the Register in 2013. Mills like this were vital for processing grains and other goods for local communities. It represents the early industries that helped towns grow.
Paden's Drug Store
Also in Carrizozo, at 1200-1208 E Avenue, is Paden's Drug Store. This building was listed in 2005. It's now known as Roy's Ice Cream Parlour. Imagine getting your medicine and a sweet treat in the same place! It shows how buildings change uses over time while still holding their history.
Monjeau Lookout
High up in the Lincoln National Forest, near Villa Madonna, is Monjeau Lookout. This lookout tower was built to spot forest fires. It was listed in 1988. It's a testament to the efforts to protect our natural resources.
Ruidoso Lookout Tower
Another fire lookout, the Ruidoso Lookout Tower, is also located in the Lincoln National Forest near Ruidoso. It was listed in 1988, just like Monjeau Lookout. These towers were crucial for keeping the forests safe from devastating fires.
Homes of Famous People
Some homes are listed because famous artists or important figures lived there.
Peter and Henriette Wyeth Hurd House
The Peter and Henriette Wyeth Hurd House is at 129 La Mancha Lane in San Patricio. Listed in 2014, this was the home of two very famous American artists, Peter Hurd and Henriette Wyeth. They were known for their beautiful paintings of the New Mexico landscape and its people. Their home is a significant part of New Mexico's art history.
Luis A. and Susan B. Jimenez House and Studios
The home and studios of artists Luis A. and Susan B. Jimenez are located near Hondo. This property was listed in 2014. Luis Jimenez was a well-known sculptor, famous for his large, colorful public artworks. This site recognizes their artistic contributions and their connection to the area.
Other Unique Historic Sites
Lincoln County also has some other interesting places that tell different stories.
Aguayo Family Homestead
The Aguayo Family Homestead is located in Tortolita Canyon, west of Nogal. This homestead was listed in 1995. Homesteads are places where families settled and built their lives, often farming or ranching. This site helps us remember the early settlers of the area.
El Paso And Southwestern Railway Water Supply System
South of Nogal, you can find the El Paso And Southwestern Railway Water Supply System. This system, listed in 1979, was important for providing water to the trains of the El Paso and Southwestern Railway. Railways were vital for transportation and trade, and this system kept them running.
Hopeful Lode
The Hopeful Lode is a mining site located along Forest Road 108, north of Bonito Lake, near Nogal. Listed in 1995, this site reminds us of Lincoln County's mining history. People came to this area hoping to find valuable minerals.
New Mexico Military Institute Summer Camp, Main Building
In Ruidoso, in Carrizo Canyon, is the main building of the New Mexico Military Institute Summer Camp. This site was listed in 1983. It shows how military training and summer camps were part of the region's past.
Archaeological Sites
Many sites on the Register are archaeological, meaning they contain clues about ancient cultures and people who lived here long ago. Many of these locations are kept secret to protect them.
- Feather Cave: An archaeological site near Lincoln, listed in 1974.
- Funston Site (AR-03-08-01-046): An archaeological site near White Oaks, listed in 1990.
- Nogal Mesa Kiva Site: An archaeological site near Nogal, listed in 1990. Kivas are special ceremonial structures often found at ancient Pueblo sites.
- Nogal Mesa Site: Another archaeological site near Nogal, listed in 1990.
- Wizard's Roost: An archaeological site near Capitan, listed in 1982.
These archaeological sites help scientists learn about the lives, tools, and cultures of the people who lived in Lincoln County thousands of years ago.
Images for kids
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The historic Carrizozo Woman's Club building.
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Officers' Quarters at Fort Stanton, a historic military post.
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The Peter and Henriette Wyeth Hurd House, home of famous artists.
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The old Jicarilla Schoolhouse in the Lincoln National Forest.
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The historic San Juan Bautista Church in the Lincoln Historic District.
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Monjeau Lookout, a fire lookout tower in the Lincoln National Forest.
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The Old Dowlin Mill in Ruidoso.
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Paden's Drug Store, now Roy's Ice Cream Parlour, in Carrizozo.
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A view of the historic White Oaks, New Mexico.
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