National Register of Historic Places listings in Socorro County, New Mexico facts for kids
Welcome to Socorro County, New Mexico! This page is all about special places here that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a Hall of Fame for buildings, sites, and areas that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.
These places are officially recognized by the United States government because they tell us a lot about the past. In Socorro County, there are 54 such places. One of them is even more special and is called a National Historic Landmark! Almost all of these places are also recognized by the State of New Mexico.
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Historic Places in Socorro County
Many amazing places in Socorro County have been saved and recognized for their history. Let's explore some of them!
Important Buildings and Homes
Socorro County has many old buildings that show us how people lived and worked long ago.
Magdalena's Historic Buildings
The town of Magdalena has several buildings on the list:
- Aragon House: This old house, located at 2nd and Oak Streets, was added to the list in 1982.
- Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Depot: Built for the Santa Fe Railway, this building at 108 North Main Street was listed in 1978. Today, it serves as Magdalena's village hall and library.
- Bank of Magdalena: Found at 1st and Main Streets, this historic bank building was recognized in 1982.
- Hall Hotel: Located at 2nd and Spruce Streets, this hotel was added in 1982. It tells us about travel and lodging in the past.
- Hilton House: This house on U.S. Route 60 was listed in 1982.
- Ilfeld Warehouse: At 200 North Main Street, this warehouse was important for storing goods. It was listed in 1982.
- Lewellen House: This home at 2nd and Chestnut Streets was added in 1982.
- MacTavish House: Located at 302 Elm Street, this house joined the list in 1982.
- Magdaline House: At 3rd and Chestnut Streets, this house was listed in 1982.
- Main Street Commercial Building: This building at 106 North Main Street was important for businesses in Magdalena. It was listed in 1982.
- Salome Store: Found on 1st Street, this old store was recognized in 1982.
- Salome Warehouse: Also on 1st Street, this warehouse was listed in 1982.
Socorro City's Historic Spots
The city of Socorro also has many historic buildings:
- A.B. Baca House: This house at 201 School of Mines Road was listed in 1991.
- Brown Hall: Located at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Brown Hall was added to the list in 1989.
- Bursum House: This historic home at 326 Church Street was recognized in 1975.
- Captain Michael Cooney House: At 309 McCutcheon Avenue, this house was listed in 1991.
- Anthony Cortesy House: This home at 327 McCutcheon Avenue was added in 1991.
- Nestor P. Eaton House: Located at 313 McCutcheon Avenue, this house was listed in 1991.
- Fitch Hall: Another building at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Fitch Hall was recognized in 1989.
- James Gurden Fitch House: This house at 311 McCutcheon Avenue was listed in 1991.
- Garcia Opera House: Found at Terry Avenue and California Street, this beautiful opera house was added in 1974.
- Juan Nepomuceno Garcia House: This home at 108 Bernard Street was listed in 1991.
- August Holver Hilton House: At 601 Park Street, this house was recognized in 1991.
- House at 303 Eaton Avenue: This specific house was listed in 1991.
- House at 405 Park Street: Another historic home, this one was added in 1991.
- Illinois Brewery: Located at Neal Avenue and 6th Street, this old brewery was listed in 1975.
- San Miguel Church: This important church at 403 El Camino Real Street, Northwest, was recognized in 2016.
- Val Verde Hotel: At 203 Manzanares Street, this hotel was listed in 1977.
- Rufina Vigil House: Also known as "Casa de Flecha," this house at 407 Park Street was added in 1991.
Ancient and Historic Sites
Socorro County is home to many ancient sites and important historical landmarks that tell stories of early peoples and big events.
Archaeological Sites
Several archaeological sites in the Bingham area are listed on the National Register. These sites, like Archeological Site No. LA 1069 through LA 1076 and LA 1181 and LA 1201, are protected because they contain important clues about past human life. Their exact locations are kept secret to protect them.
- Gallinas Springs Ruin: This ancient ruin near Magdalena was listed in 1970. Its exact location is also restricted.
- San Felipe Pueblo Ruin: This pueblo ruin near Socorro was recognized in 1983. Its location is restricted.
- Seco Ruin: Near Chupadera, this ruin was listed in 1994. Its location is restricted.
- Teypama Piro Site: This important Piro Native American site near Socorro was added in 1983. Its location is restricted.
Historic Trails and Forts
- Camino Real-Qualacu Pueblo: This site near San Antonio is part of the historic Camino Real trail, an old Spanish road. It was listed in 2011.
- Camino Real-San Pascual Pueblo: Another part of the Camino Real near San Antonio, this site was also listed in 2011.
- El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro-Arroyo Alamillo North Section: This section of the Camino Real near San Acacia was recognized in 2014.
- Fort Craig: Located about 37 miles south of Socorro, Fort Craig was an important military fort. It was listed in 1970.
- Sagrada Familia de Lemitar Church, Los Dulces Nombres: This church near Lemitar was listed in 1983.
National Historic Landmarks
- Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument: This monument, located about 1 mile east of Gran Quivira, is a very important historical district. It includes ancient pueblos and Spanish mission churches. It was listed in 1966 and extends into Torrance County.
- Gran Quivera Historic District: This district, part of the Salinas Pueblo Missions, was listed in 2015.
- Trinity Site: This site, about 25 miles south of U.S. Route 380 on the White Sands Missile Range, is a National Historic Landmark. It's famous as the location of the first test of an atomic bomb in 1945. It was listed in 1966.
Former Listings
Sometimes, a place might be removed from the National Register of Historic Places. This can happen if the building is destroyed or if it loses its historical importance for some reason.
- Severo A. Baca House: This house in Socorro was removed from the list in 1999.
- MacDonald Merchandise Building: This building in Magdalena was removed from the list in 1980 because it no longer exists.
