Lincoln, New Mexico

Yesterday we went sight-seeing and visited the historic town of Lincoln, NM, which today is a New Mexico State Monument. Population 54.

The following is from the Lincoln County Historical Society brochure:

“Lincolntown is famous for the exciting and lawless times of the Lincoln County War. The classic west is reflected in the stories of the Horrell Brothers, L.G. Murphy, Alexander McSeeney, bill the Kid and others, who in asserting with they considered theirs rights, rode roughshod over the many peaceful and hardworking people who had far more influence in the making of the West. For over a hundred years these good people worked and played here, married, had children, and built their homes.

Lincoln was originally known as La Placita. It was the largest of several tiny Hispanic villages situated in the heart of Mescalero Apache country. The presence of Fort Stanton, built nearby in 1855, was pivotal to the survival and economic well being of these placitas. Lincoln retained its Hispanic appearance and character until the 1880s, when, following the Lincoln County War, peace brought economic prosperity.”

 

   

 

We visited with a young lady who runs the gallery and coffee shop. She buys all her coffee beans from Sumner, WA (near our old home town, Seattle.)

 

In the early days of Indian attacks, this is how the townsfolk protected themselves.Look closely for the gun turrets in the walls.

         

The old church is still being used and the priest’s house is next door.

    

 

 

 

 

We stopped to tour the Dolan Home and stayed for lunch. Not only was the food great but so was the company. We dined at the same table with the present owners, Bill and Beverly Strauser, and were served by my now favorite waitress, Sage.

 

 

 

 

After a long, leisurely lunch we crossed the street to do more touring. But I will save the Tunstall Store for my next blog as well as some of the interesting story of the Lincoln County War.

So stay tuned……………………Just Us Kids, getting another history lesson.

Elementary Artwork

Every year here at Bitter Lake NWR they have a Dragonfly Festival. This year it is on September 6th.

Last Friday Bill and I visited every elementary school in the Roswell area to pick up art work for the Dragonfly Festival. The grand prize winner receives $100 and their picture is made into a billboard with the winners name and school on it. Today all the artwork was reviewed by a panel of judges and the winner is Amelia T., a 4th grader from Dexter Elementary School.

The judges felt that not only did it represent the Dragonfly Festival, but also the City of Roswell’s alien reputation.

There were over 680 entries, so I am happy that I was not a judge. Here is another of the great entries drawn by a 3rd grade boy. (Click on the pictures to see the detail.)

Just another fun day, hard at work, here on the refuge!

Bottomless Lakes State Park

A few miles east of Roswell, NM is an interesting site, Bottomless Lakes SP.

“Are they really bottomless? Bottomless Lakes are a chain of eight lakes that are actually sinkholes that range from 17 to 90 feet deep. They were formed when circulating water dissolved salt and gypsum deposits to form subterranean caverns. Eventually the roofs of the caverns collapsed from their own weight. Sinkholes resulted and soon filled with water and formed the existing lakes.” (from BLSP brochure)

           

Lea Lake is the largest of the eight sinkholes in this area…..

 

         

               

 

 

    and is home to a sandy swimming beach and a beautiful bath house which was built by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) in 1937

 

 

 

 

Typical of most CCC buildings, it is made of local materials with beautiful architectural details.

               

        

Along the way I spotted two wild creatures!

 

 

It was a fun day topped off with a stop at Dairy Queen.

 

                         Just Us Kids……..out playing!