Steins, New Mexico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steins
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Steins, New Mexico (2015).
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 Steins
Location in New Mexico
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Hidalgo |
Steins is a ghost town located in Hidalgo County, New Mexico. It sits in a place called Stein's Pass, which is a gap in the Peloncillo Mountains (Hidalgo County). The pass and later the town were named after United States Army Major Enoch Steen. He camped nearby in 1856 while exploring land the U.S. had recently bought in the Gadsden Purchase.
Contents
The Story of Steins
Early Beginnings: A Stagecoach Stop
The town of Steins started as a small stop in 1857. This stop was part of the Birch Stage Line, which was a route for horse-drawn coaches carrying mail and passengers.
Growth with Mining and Railroads
Steins officially began in 1880. It grew when people found valuable minerals like gold, silver, and copper in the nearby Peloncillo Mountains. More growth came when the Southern Pacific Railroad built a train line through the area in 1878. A rock quarry also opened, providing materials for the railroad.
A Town Without Water
One unusual thing about Steins was that it had no natural source of water. All the water needed for the town had to be brought in by train. In 1905, a special plant was built to crush rocks. These crushed rocks, called track ballast, were used to support the railroad tracks.
Why Steins Became a Ghost Town
In 1944, near the end of World War II, the railroad stopped its operations at the Steins quarry. They also announced they would no longer deliver water to the town. The railroad offered to give the people of Steins free train rides to other places. Most people accepted this offer, leaving their homes and many belongings behind. The town's post office closed, and Steins eventually became completely empty. Later, a fire destroyed many of the buildings that were left.
New Life as a Tourist Spot
In 1988, a couple named Larry and Linda Link bought the town. They started offering tours, allowing visitors to explore the old ghost town. However, in 2011, Larry Link sadly passed away, and the tours stopped.
A Unique Ghost Town
Steins is special among old West ghost towns. Most ghost towns were created because of mining. But Steins was mainly a railroad town. Some people confuse Steins Pass with another place called Doubtful Canyon. That area, near Steins Peak, was home to a Butterfield Overland Mail station and the site of a battle.
See Also
- In Spanish: Steins (despoblado) para niños
