Unearth The Voyage
Once booming with miners, ranchers, and railroad workers, these forgotten corners of New Mexico now stand silent – haunted only by echoes of their golden pasts. From sun-bleached saloons to crumbling missions, each ghost town tells a story of ambition, hardship, and the unstoppable passage of time.
1. Chloride – A Well-Preserved Slice of the 1880s
Chloride is a gem from the 1880s, born from a silver strike. It was once a bustling town with over 30 businesses, including a newspaper, The Black Range. But when the ore ran out, so did the people, leaving it nearly empty overnight.
Remarkably, many buildings stand today, frozen in time. The general store and museum offer a glimpse into the past, showcasing artifacts exactly as they were abandoned.
This preservation allows visitors a rare view into the daily lives of its former residents, offering a poignant reminder of the town’s once-thriving community.
2. Lake Valley – Home to the Legendary “Bridal Chamber” Mine
Lake Valley is renowned for the “Bridal Chamber,” a mine so rich in silver it gained national fame. Founded in 1878, it flourished until the market crash left it deserted.
Today, the Bureau of Land Management maintains the site, allowing exploration of its historical remnants. Visitors can wander through the ruins of schoolhouses, miner’s cabins, and the skeletal remains of its main street.
The haunting silence of Lake Valley’s past still echoes in the empty buildings, a testament to its once-dazzling prosperity.
3. Shakespeare – Where Outlaws and Legends Once Roamed
Shakespeare is a town with a theatrical name and an even more dramatic past. This was a favorite haunt for outlaws like Billy the Kid during its heyday.
Privately owned yet open for tours, it offers a rare, authentic look at preserved adobe buildings, a blacksmith shop, and a hotel rumored to be haunted by restless spirits.
The town’s colorful history and well-preserved structures create an eerie yet fascinating glimpse into the life of New Mexico’s wild frontier.
4. Steins – A Desert Town Saved by a Love Story
Steins, located near the Arizona border, thrived as a railroad town until the tracks moved, leaving it abandoned. Homes and belongings were left behind, frozen in time.
Years later, a local couple fell in love with the town and began restoring it, breathing life back into the deserted streets. Though one owner has since passed, their legacy remains.
Visitors find a unique atmosphere in Steins, with eerie artifacts that remain untouched, offering a haunting look into a once-bustling desert town.
5. Dawson – A Coal Town Buried in Tragedy
Dawson was a model mining community, established by Phelps Dodge in the early 20th century. Tragically, it became known for two catastrophic mining explosions that claimed hundreds of lives in 1913 and 1923.
The town’s decline followed, leaving only a haunting cemetery with rows of white iron crosses.
This sobering monument stands as a reminder of the lives lost and the vibrant community that once thrived here, offering a poignant and reflective visit for those who wander its grounds.
6. Mogollon – The Mining Town That Refused to Die
Mogollon clings to life in the rugged mountains that share its name. Founded during the late 1800s gold and silver rush, it was once a lively hub filled with saloons, hotels, and its very own newspaper. However, nature had other plans – repeatedly devastating the town with floods and fires.
Despite these setbacks, a handful of residents remain, determined to preserve its Wild West spirit. Visitors today can wander through the old Silver Creek Inn and explore weather-beaten storefronts that still whisper tales of the past.
The tenacity of Mogollon and the resilience of its remaining inhabitants keep this ghost town hauntingly alive.
7. Kelly – Ghostly Ruins Beneath the Magdalena Mountains
Kelly was once a bustling mining town, nestled just south of Magdalena with over 1,000 residents. Its claim to fame was the Kelly Mine, a major source of zinc and lead.
Today, only the mine’s towering headframe and scattered foundations remain, creating a surreal photo opportunity against the dramatic desert backdrop.
The ghostly ruins provide a silent testimony to its prosperous past, inviting curious explorers to imagine the lives that once animated this forgotten community.
