Whitmire Pass facts for kids
Whitmire Pass is a natural opening in the Animas Mountains in Hidalgo County, New Mexico. It sits at an elevation of about 4,977 feet (1,517 meters) above sea level. This pass was named after J. B. Whitmire, a rancher who lived in the 1880s. His ranch, called Whitmire Ranch, was located east of the pass, near Playas Lake and Whitmire Spring.
A stream called Whitmire Creek starts on the west side of the pass. It flows into Animas Creek in the Animas Valley. Another stream, known as an arroyo (a dry creek bed that fills with water after rain), runs east from the pass. This arroyo flows down into the Playas Valley towards Whitmire Spring and Playas Lake.
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A Journey Through History: Whitmire Pass
Whitmire Pass has an interesting past, especially for travelers and settlers. It was an important pathway for early expeditions and people moving west.
The Mormon Battalion's Route
On November 25, 1846, a group led by Lieutenant Colonel Philip St. George Cooke used Whitmire Pass. This group was called the Mormon Battalion. They were on an important journey to cross the Animas Mountains. Their goal was to reach the Animas Valley from Whitmire Springs.
Cooke's Wagon Road and the Gold Rush
The path taken by Cooke's expedition became famous as Cooke's Wagon Road. This road was a key part of the southern route for people heading to California. Many people, known as "49ers," used this route during the California Gold Rush. They were hoping to find gold and a new life in California.
Changes in Travel Routes
After the early 1850s, the main travel route changed. A shorter path, called the Tucson Cutoff, was used instead. This new route was located to the north of Whitmire Pass. It became the most common way for people to travel east and west across the region.
Early Settlers and Ranch Life
Later, in the 1880s, J. B. Whitmire became the first settler at Whitmire Springs. This was near the end of the Apache Wars, a series of conflicts between the Apache people and the United States. Whitmire built his ranch house at the springs. He lived there until he eventually sold his property.
