Timpas, Colo. -- Alt. 4,410; pop. of twp. 125. [m.p. 572.3] On Timpas Creek. Old Santa Fe Trail crosses 400 feet east of depot; Distant view of Spanish Peaks and Greenhorn Mountains visible on west and Pike's Peak to northwest, the former 75 miles distant and the latter 100 miles.Stock raising section.
Earl, Colo. -- Alt. 5,672; pop. 75. Irrigation farming and grazing section. Sunflower Valley between Earl and Hoehnes, south side of track; Raton Range to south; Spanish Peaks (or Los dos Hermanos "The Twin Brothers") and Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) Ranges to west.
Hoehnes, Colo. -- Alt. 5,703; pop. of twp. 837. [m.p. 626.3] Old Santa Fe Trail runs through town. View of snow-covered Spanish Peaks, Simpson's Rest and Fisher's Peak. On Purgatoire River, locally called "Picketwire." In Sunflower Valley, noted for alfalfa, pinto beans, sugar beets and forage crops.
El Moro, Colo. -- Alt. 5,833; pop. of twp. 511. On Purgatoire River. Here are numberous Mexican adobe dwellings, typical of southwest arid county -- the adobe bricks are sun dried. Irrigation canal; big reservoir 8 miles northeast impounds mountain waters. Crossing D. & R. G. W. R. R.
Trinidad, Colo. -- Alt. 5,971; pop. 13,191. [m.p. 635.8] County seat Las Animas County. First settlement here in 1862. Gateway to Raton Pass, Stonewall Valley and San Isabel National Forest. Two miles from Trinidad line begins climb up North Raton creek. In 15 miles train ascends 1,636 feet, maximum grade begin 3 1/2 per cent. A "pusher" engine is used to summit of pass. Standard engine assists the "road" engine in front, making 3 locomotives in all. Before reaching depot on hill to left is seen Sister's hospital, and on right in city park is stature of Kit Carson. Fisher's Peak, towering 4,000 feet above the city to the south, named for artillery officer in Kearney's Army of the West. Simpson's Rest (470 ft.) named for old pioneer bureid on summit, is just north of city. Spanish Peaks (12,720 ft. and 13,620 ft.) and Sangre de Cristo Range (14,000 ft.) also may be seen. Stonewall Gap, 30 miles from city is a mountain park with cottages for summer visitors, reached over auto raod, and leading to Monument Lake Resort. Across Animas River, 2 miles west, right-hand side of track, are high bluffs, where in 1866, Ute Indians and settlers fought battle. This river was named Rio de las Animas Perdidas, "River of the Lost Souls," by the Spanards in memory of a party of men who, in the eighteenth century, it is said, perished on its banks. Leading crops of Los Animas county are wheat, corn, oats, beans, sugar beets, and alfalfa. About 100,000 head of cattle and sheep pastured on nearby ranges. Trinidad has a $75,000 opera house, a $1,000,000 court house and jail, a $1,000,000 municipal waterworks system and a $100,000 federal building. Brick and tile factory, planing mills and bottling works, electric light and gas plant; creamery, ice cream and candy factories, also many large wholesale houses located here; foundry and machine shops. 16 coal mines in this section. Also on Colo. & Sou. and D. & R. G. W. R. R.
Starkville, Colo. -- Alt. 6,328; pop. 1,650. Fisher's Peak, distant 8 miles. Below station is north boundary of Maxwell land grant (1,750,000 acres), formerly the Beaubien and Miranda grant; in 1870 large bands of Jicarilla Apaches and Utes lived on this grant -- the Utes were moved to Colorado in 1878. Maxwell grant came through his wife, a daughter of Beaubien, one of original holders. Maxwell's ranch at Cimarron was noted for lavish entertainments. Coal mining section.
Morley, Colo. -- Alt. 6,940; pop. of twp. 443. In heart of Raton Pass; Dick Wootton's old ranch house north side of track between here and Wootton. Mining center.
Wootton, Colo. (Post office Morley) -- Alt. 7,526; pop. 115. [m.p. 651.8] Dick Wootton, for whom station is named, ran a roadhouse here, in pioneer days, and maintained toll road until the railroad came. Stock raising in foothills.
Raton Pass and Raton Tunnel -- Railroad follows Old Santa Fe Trail through Raton Pass; Colorado - New Mexico state line post at east end of tunnel entrance; beyond state line are the twin Raton tunnels -- old one 2,041 feet and new one 2,678 feet long. Highest point on the Santa Fe (7,622 feet) between Chicago and California is near west end old tunnel. Before tunnels were built summit was surmounted by a "switchback." U. S. military forces in the forties suffered terrible hardships crossing the mountains here.
Raton Pass, N. M. -- Highest rail point on Santa Fe Lines, altitude 7,622 feet. Located near Colorado - New Mexico State Line, this pass has been famous in the history of the west from the early days of the explorers and covered wagon caravans to the building of the Santa Fe Railway. Today a passenger almost crosses the Colorado - New Mexico State Line underground. State line marker is only a few feet from eastern entrance of twin tunnels that Santa Fe built at the top of the pass, tunnels are approximately 1/2 mile long.
Raton, N. M. -- Alt. 6,666; pop. 7,594. [m.p. 659.5] County seat Colfax County. Gateway to Cimarron Valley, Taos Indian pueblo and the scenery and excellent fishing in the Carson National Forest. Colfax county has coal deposits estimated at 30,000,000,000 tons. Stock raising and fruit growing section. Old Santa Fe Trail passes through town, which locality was known as Willow Springs. Skyline Drive on crest of range, Raton to Trinidad, 25 miles. Four miles west are ruins of old Clifton House, a lay-over point on Old Santa Fe Trail. Shops and roundhouse of A. T. & S. F. Ry. and state miner's hospital here.
Hebron, N. M. -- Alt. 6,156; pop. 30. [m.p. 671.3] Mining and stock raising; Van Houten coal mines 7 miles northwest. Storage reservoir, one mile southeast, covers 7,000 acres -- water used for irrigation around Maxwell. West fork Red River east of track; branch line to Van Houten. Red River Peak 4 miles northwest.
Maxwell, N. M. -- Alt. 5,885; pop. 650. On Canadian River. Cattle and hog raising and dairying; principal crops, alfalfa, sugar beets, small grains. Headquarters Maxwell irrigated lands, about 23,000 acres. Cimarron, 26 miles west of Maxwell, was once a typical frontier cowboy town on Old Santa Fe Trail. First farming in Colfax county was done in 1843 by Kit Carson and Lucien D. Maxwell. From here may be seen Eagle Tail, Baldy and Tenaja peaks.
French, N. M. -- Alt. 5,805; pop. of twp. 350. [m.p. 691.0] Fruit growing, farming, dairying, and stock raising; headquarters Antelope valley irrigation district. Near junction Vermejo and Canadian Rivers; Sangre de Cristo Mountains on west horizon. Dawson coal mines 19 miles northwest. Valley of Canadian River is traversed from Dillon to French. Also on S. P. Ry.
Springer, N. M. -- Alt. 5,769; pop. 1,350. [m.p. 699.4] On Cimarron River; farming, fruit growing, cattle and sheep; important shipping point; stock feed mill. New Mexico State reformatory located here. View to west of "Old Baldy," highest peak Cimarron Range, Rocky Mountains.
Wagon Mound, N. M. -- Alt. 6,177; 852. [m.p. 725.3] Town named after hills east of track which bear fancied resemblance to old praire schooner. Lava formations in vicinity; site of old Mexican frontier custom house. In older days favorite rendezvous for warlike plain and mountain Indians; scene of many Indian fights and holdups. Turkey Mountains lie southwest. Stock raising, lumbering and farming.
Valmora, N. M. -- Alt. 6,330; pop. 125. Sanatorium for tubercular patients, on Mora River and Coyote Creek. Sanatorium owned and operated by 40 of the largest employers in Chicago and St. Louis, for their employees who may contract tuberculosis, not operated for profit. Others also accepted. Has its own post office. Traverse valley of Mora River.
Watrous, N. M. -- Alt. 6,398; pop. of twp. 406. [m.p. 750.2] Old name La Junta de los Rios. Located at west end of Mora (Shoemaker) Canyon near junction of Mora and Sapello rivers. Farming, cattle, sheep raising and lumbering. Ruins of old Fort Barkley and of prehistoric Indian pueblo nearby; old Fort Union, 8 miles northeast.
LasVegas, N. M. -- Alt. 6,392; pop. 12,442 (combined with East Las Vegas). [m.p. 770.1] On Galilinas River. County seat San Miguel County. Irrigated and dry-farming district of 140,000 acres; Storrie irrigation project waters 12,000 acres. Stock raising, fruit growing and dairying; principal crops -- small grain, alfalfa, peas, lettuce, sugarbeets and forage. Important cattle, sheep and wool market; lumbering, brick plant, creamery, lime kilns, and planing mills. Division point for Santa Fe Ry. New Mexico Highlands University; Immaculate Conception, and Loretto Academy, St. Anthony Sanatorium, Las Vegas Hospital and State Hospital for insane located here. Scenic Highway up Gallinas Canyon to El Provenir, Rancho de Dias Alegres, Evergreen Valley Ranch, and other points in this recreational area of the Santa Fe National Forest. Hermit's Peak, 10,500 ft., is 18 miles away; Canyon of upper Sapello, 15 miles; Rociada and Gascon, 25 to 30 miles; quant village of Mora, 26 miles over surfaced highway. Good fishing is found north of Las Vegas in numerous streams rising in Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the National Forest. Old Fort Union, 25 miles north. Historic old "Plaza" on west side; here General Stephen W. Kearney took possession of New Mexico in 1846. Fred Harvey station hotel, The Casteneda, located here.
Chapelle, N. M. -- Alt. 6,068; pop. 150. [m.p. 788.8] On western edge Tecolote grant. Near Chapelle, east side of track, may be seen Starvation Peak, where band of Spanards is said to have been beseiged by Indians in 1800 and starved to death. There is a cross on summit of peak, placed there by brotherhood of Penitentes, an outgrowth of the Third Order of St. Francis established in 1218. Martinez Canyon is two miles east of Chapelle. Bernal, one mile west, was site of first relay station on old Las Vegas - Santa Fe stage line. Stock raising and dry farming.
Ribera, N. M. -- Alt. 6,019; pop. of twp. 327. On Pecos River. Old Spanish mission church of San Miguel, built here in 1775, located one-half mile south. Three miles before reaching Ribera is a double horseshoe curve. Francisco Vasquez Coronado, in search of Quivira, went down Pecos river at this point, in 1540, at head of his army of Spanish explorers. Bernal Range is west of track. San Jose, Spanish settlement, is near milepost 802; here Kearny's Army of the West camped in 1846 prepared for battle with Mexicans under Governor Armijo.
Rowe, N. M. -- Alt. 6,004; pop. of twp. 500. [m.p. 816.0] Located here is partly restored ruins of old Pecos church, built about 1617; also adjacent, ruins of Indian pueblo of Cicuye, once largest settlement in New Mexico; continuously occupied 1,200 years. In Coronado's time Cicuye comprised tow communal structures, 4 stories high, with 500 warriors. Mission abandoned in 1792, and pueblo deserted in 1838, the 13 inhabitants moving to Jemez, where as late as 1904, one person survived. Ruins of Cicuye have been partly excavated by expedition under auspices of Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. Before reaching Rowe may be seen steep slopes of Glorieta mesa, crowned by Escobas Mountain (8,100 feet), midway to Glorieta. On right hand, 2 1/2 miles southeast of station, near track, is Mexican village of Pajarito.
Glorieta, N. M. -- Alt. 7,421; pop. of twp. 381. [m.p. 825.2] Head of Glorieta Pass; starting point for excursions through Santa Fe National Forest; country dotted with prehistoric ruins. Trout fishing and hunting in season. Valley Ranch, principal ranch resort on Pecos river, 8 miles east. U. S. Forest Service rents sites for summer cottages on upper Pecos. The Pecos River rises 35 miles north, in a great wilderness area of the Santa Fe National Forest where peaks rear above 13,000 ft., and flows south into Texas. Thompson Peak (altitude 10,546 feet) is 7 miles northwest. Acelerated soil erosion is especially noticeable through here.
Lamy, N. M. -- Alt. 6,457; pop. of twp. 329. [m.p. 835.2] Named for Archbishop Lamy, pioneer Catholic ecclesiastic after American occupation in 1846. After leaving Canyoncito [m.p. 830.0], train passes through rugged Apache Canyon, where the Mexicans attempted to stop progress of American army of invasion under General Kearny, August 18, 1846. Important battle of Civil War fought here in 1862. Apache Canyon gorge cuts through solid granite, the only place in New Mexico where the railway traverses the oldest strata of the Rockies. Passengers change at Lamy for Santa Fe, capital of New Mexico and oldest city of Southwest. Extra pusher engine is required, Lamy to Glorieta.
Santa Fe, N. M. -- Alt. 6,986; pop. 20,227. County seat of Santa Fe County; terminus of Old Santa Fe Trail; capital of New Mexico. Oldest capital in United States (founded about 1610 by the Spanards as La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Assisi, "Royal City of the Holy Faith of St. Francis Assisi"); Sangre de Cristo Range on east. Highest peaks, Truchas (13,401 feet), "Old Baldy" (12,623 feet), and Lake Peak (12,410 feet). The old Governor's Palace is filled with interesting archaeological and historical collections. Gen. Lew Wallace wrote part of "Ben Hur" in this building. State Art Museum and colony of famous artists make Santa Fe a mecca for art students and art lovers. San Miguel Chapel contemporary with Palace. Old Spanish Cemetery, Rosario Chapel and Cemetery; Catholic cathedral is imposing structure as are also Scottish Rite Temple and Federal building. U. S. Indian school and state penitentiary located here. Headquarters of Santa Fe National Forest, covering 1,230,000 acres. Ruins of Fort Marcy, built by American troops at time of occupation in 1846, overlook city. Laboratory of Anthropology, school of archaeology, at edge of city. Headquarters building of Third Regional area National Park Service on same premises. Also Museum of Navajo Ceremonial Art. In vicinity cliffs of Puye and Pajarito Plateau contain many prehistoric communal and cliff dwellings. Inhabited Indian pueblos of Tesuque, Nambe, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, San Juan, Cochiti, Picuris and Taos (where famous artists have studios) are reached from Santa Fe; also Mexican village of Chimayo, noted for its blanket weaving, and Santuario, a shrine where miracles of healing are said to occur. San Geronimo Indian fiesta occurs annually at Taos pueblo, latter part of September, as well as fiestas and dances at the other Indian pueblos the year 'round. The Sunday following Corpus Christi two notable and unique processions occur at Santa Fe, viz., the Corpus Christi procession of Guadalupe parish, and that of cathedral congregation -- both celebrating Our Lady of Victory, "La Conquistadora." The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe takes place December 12th, and bonfires are lighted at different points all the way to Panama. Early in September annual Santa Fe Fiesta celebrated. St. Vincent Sanatorium in city. Turquoise mine in mountains south. In Frijoles Canyon, Bandelier National Monument, scene of Bandeliers "Delight Makers," are prehistoric pueblo of Tyuonyi and many cliffs dwellings. La Fonda, located here, is one of the most colorful hotels in America. Designed in the traditional southwestern atmosphere, this fine hotel is under Fred Harvey management. Bishop's Lodge, 3 miles from city, is first-class resort with accomodations for 75 guests. Santa Fe Inn located in suburbs.
Kennedy, N. M. -- Alt. 6,010. Galisteo River, Kennedy to Domingo, left side of track; 2 miles east is Mexican village of Galisteo, which in 1680 had a population of 800 Taos Indians -- descendents of these Indians now live at Santo Domingo.
Los Cerrillos, N. M. -- Alt. 5,668; pop. of twp. 765. Name means "the little hills." Coal-mining district producing bituminous and anthracite coal; first gold in waht is now United States take from Dolores mine in Ortiz range, year 1830, about 7 miles southeast; superior quality anthracite coal at Madrid, 3 miles southwest; small deposit petrified wood 3 miles east, near track. San Marcos arroyo leads north past historic pueblo of San Marcos (now in ruins) visited by Spanards in 1540, and abandoned in 1680 by its 600 inhabitants who became absorbed by other Pueblo tribes. Rich turquoise mines 9 miles north of station, worked by Indians for many centuries.
Domingo, N. M. -- Alt. 5,249; pop. of twp. 1,012. [m.p. 865.3] Near site of ancient pueblo of Guipuy on Galisteo River, destroyed more than 200 years ago. Two miles west, on east bank of Rio Grande, above mouth of Galisteo, is pueblo of Santo Domingo, inhabited by 817 Pueblo Indians, who farm, raise sheep and goats, also make pottery, bows and arrows. Annual corn dance August 4th. Lieut. Pike passed through Santo Domingo in 1807. Six miles west, on Rio Grande, is pueblo San Felipe, with 490 inhabitants and a large church, dating from early in 18th century. Both Indian villages may be seen from trains. In vicinity are Indian pueblos of Cochiti, Zia and Jemez, which were scenes of many battles during Pueblo rebellion of 1680, when Spanards were driven out. Jemez mountains and the Valle Grande, largest extinct volcano crater in world, 25 miles northwest; Jemez medicinal hot springs in Jemez mountains. On Black mesa, before reaching present pueblo of San Felipe, may be seen ruins of Katishtya pueblo and its old church erected in 1694. From Domingo to Albequerque and to Isleta, railway runs down valley of Rio Grande del Norte.
Algodenes, N. M. -- Alt. 5,088; pop. of twp. 867. Within 8 miles of ruins of Tunque and other ancient pueblos. Just before reaching San Felipe pueblo, train crosses Arroyo Tunque, where one gets view of ruins old church on mesa above village.
Ruiz, N. M. -- Alt. 5,060. Named for Franciscan friar, Augustin Ruis, or Rodriguez, murdered by Indians in 1581; Santa Ana Indian pueblo, 4 miles west in Jemez Valley.
Bernalillo, N. M. -- Alt. 5,033; pop. of twp. 3,100. [m.p. 886.0] Settled by descendents of Bernal Diaz del Castillo, associate of Cortez. First winter camp of Spanish explorers under Coronado in 1540-41, was located 1 mile from here, near Pueblo of Puara, ruins of which have been reconstructed with a museum built on the site. Sandia pueblo lies four miles south of station. Four miles west is Santa Ana pueblo. Sandia mountains are due east; Cibola National Forest extends from near Bernalillo southward in the mountains to a point east of La Joya. Northwest of town are Jemez hot and cold springs, whose waters contain sulphur and soda. Don Diego de Vargas died at Bernalillo, April, 1704; his last campaign started here. Indian festival occurs at Santa Ana, July 26, and at Zia, August 15. Ruins of Jemez mission church near Hot Springs. Fruit growing and stock raising. Lumber, copper, and sheep region. Lumber company employs 200 men at Bernalillo, logs for which are hauled from Jemez Mountains in Santa Fe National Forest. West of the tracks, U. S. Soil Conservation Service. Here both native and foreign trees and grasses are tested and produced for soil erostion control plantings on southwestern farms and ranches.
Alameda, N. M. -- Alt. 4,980; pop. of twp. 1,006. Name signifies "cottonwood grove." Near site of old pueblo abandoned by its 300 inhabitants in 1680, when the mission church was destroyed. Afterwards re-established as a station of the Albequerque mission.
Albequerque, N. M. -- Alt. 4,934; pop. 62,188. [m.p. 902.4] On Rio Grande River; Sandia (watermelon) Mountains, 15 miles east. County seat Bernalillo County. Founded in 1701 by Don Pedro Rodriquez y Cubero, and named after Don Francisco Fernandez de la Cueva Enriquez, Duke of Albequerque and thirty-fourth viceroy of New Spain. The old plaza, 1 mile from railway station, contains ancient Spanish mission church of San Felipe de Neri, erected about 1735. This also was site of Spanish and Mexican military post, second only in importance to Santa Fe and El Paso during Spanish and Mexican occupancy, and site of United States military post 1856 to 1867. Important Santa Fe terminal point and headquarters for large shops. Santa Fe operates $200,000 plant for creosoting ties, with daily capacity 4,000 ties. Santa Fe hospital, St. Joseph's hospital and several tuberculosis sanitariums located here. Altitude, sunshine and low humidity make this a good place for treating pulmonary troubles out of doors. Aluquerque is headquarters central New Mexico wool industry, with gross annual sales sheep and lambs $10,000,000; manufacturing plants produce flour, brick, stone, furniture, harness, farm machinery and ice; also location of 25 wholesale houses and large sawmill, sash and door factory. Southwest headquarters of U. S. Forest Service, administering 13 National Forests containing 20,000,000 acres; also regional office for the U. S. Soil Conservation Service, serving 173 Soil Conservation Districts containing 96 million acres in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. Center for touring, hunting, fishing, winter sports. Educational institutions include: University of New Mexico occupies 60-acre campus, on high mesa, the buildings being modeled after ancient Pueblo Indian style; $325,000 U. S. Indian boarding school (450 pupils); Menaul Presbyterian Spanish-American school (145 pupils), St. Vincent's academy, Harwood Methodist school for girls, Catholic orphanage.
The Alvarado, adjacent to station, is one of the most colorful hotels of Fred Harvey system. Built in old Spanish Mission style with 120 rooms; dining room, grill, sun parlor and all modern facilities. Guests have country club privileges. In Alvarado annex is a Harvey museum with most extensive collections of Mexican and Indian relics in United States.
Albuquerque to El Paso