About the Shalam Colony in Dona Ana from 1884 to 1907

A religious sect established an utopian colony in Dona Ana in 1884. Dr. John Ballou Newbrough, a dentist from Boston, and Andrew Howland a wealthy Quaker, chose Dona Ana for their Faithist colony. Dr. Newbrough had published OAHSPE in 1881, a sacred book typed by the doctor while inspired by "spirits" who guided his hands as he typed his new bible.

The colony intended to educate poor orphaned children of all races, colors and creeds according to the dictates of OAHSPE. The children were to come from slums. Building started in 1884 on 1,490 acres of land on the eastern shore near a bend of the Rio Grande. But Dr. Newbrough died in 1891. However, Mr. Howland married Mrs. Newbrough and continued to operate the colony.

About 200 men from the Dona Ana area aided by Mexican laborers built several large adobe buildings. Orphaned babies were collected from Chicago, New Orleans, Kansas City and Philadelphia. Each child received tutoring in agrarian crafts and in spiritual matters as well as an general education. But by 1901 Mr. Howland's fortune was spent, and he closed the colony placing the remaining 25 children under 14 in decent homes. In 1907, he sold the Shalam Colony property. Every sign of it has now (1998) disappeared.

Today (1998), the road passing the site is named the "Old Shalam Colony Trail".