LAKE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
On the Railroad Map of Luna County from 1888, Lake Valley is the branch line at the upper right. Map on right is the BLM site today.
Why is Lake Valley called "Lake Valley"? The town was originally located north of the present site, and during the 1870's derived its name from nearby relic lake beds. At that time it was a stage stop. That location was flooded and the small settlement moved about a mile to the southwest. The town was moved again in 1882 to the present location after the discovery of an amazingly large and pure silver ore body. The deposit was christened the "Bridal Chamber" because of the sparkle from its crystal encrusted walls.
What was Lake Valley like in its heydey? During the 1880's and early 1890's, Lake Valley had a population of up to 4,000 people, over a dozen saloons, newspapers, general stores, hotels, and other businesses. After the bust of 1893, it became a virtual ghost town. Then, in 1895, the Main Street business district burned.
How did Lake Valley fare in the 1900's? The influenza epidemic in 1918 dealt a further blow, followed by the Great Depression of the 1930's. As part of the nation's Work Projects, a road, now abandoned, was built from Lake Valley due east to the Rio Grande. Beginning in the 1920's and as recently as the 1950's, manganese, an ingredient necessary to make high-quality steel, was mined at Lake Valley. In 1934, the rail line to Lake Valley was abandoned.
Text adapted from a highway marker at Lake Valley
CLICK on any image to see a larger photograph
Lake Valley, looking east from the Route 27 from Nutt to Hillsboro, January, 1998
In the background is Monument Peak (sometimes called Lizard Peak). At right, in the foreground, is the School House. To the left, is the Stone Store still brandishing a "Conoco" sign.
Photo from Route 27 from Nutt to Hillsboro.
THE SCHOOL HOUSE
An original adobe School House was built in 1904, and in 1920 the School House was expanded to twice its original size and the entrance was moved to the south. The cement covering and cement buttresses were added in 1960 to stabilize the building.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has undertaken a project to improve the School House and other Lake Valley buildings. Someday, perhaps, all buildings will be open for public viewing.
Interior of School House, January, 1998
The School is sometimes still used for dances, weddings, parties and community events.
On the Lake Valley walking tour, January, 1998
As you walk down Keil Avenue, to your left, is the house and garage
occupied by the Martinez family between 1930 to 1960. Prior to that, it was
the home and office of Doctor W. G. Beals, who was the only doctor for the
area in a time when doctors still made house calls.
Where Railroad Avenue meets Keil Avenue stand two homes--one is the former residence of Mrs. Blanche (Wilson) Nowlin, whose husband, Slim, was railroad superintendent for Lake Valley. Mrs. Nowlin became the local dealer for Conoco and, after Slim died in 1937, she lived in their home until her death in 1982.
Pedro and Savina Martinez lived next door to Mrs. Nowlin in Lake Valley's old Bella Hotel until August, 1994.
Old Bella Hotel, later home of Pedro and Savina Martinez, Jan 1998.
The porch of their home still holds two chairs and a child's trike.
STONE HOUSE -- on the walking tour, Lake Valley, January, 1998.
This stone building is at the northwest corner of Main and Railroad Avenues. It was the school in 1893, but by 1902 it was a saloon. Still later, it became a general store and a gas station.
CEMETERY