Los Alamos in Los Alamos County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Harold H. Brook
Los Alamos Homestead Tour
— Site 1 • Marker 1 —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2015
1. Harold H. Brook Marker
Homestead Entry: August 1908
Los Alamos Ranch School
Purchase: 1917
Harold Hemingway Brook was an agronomist from Illinois who came to Santa Fe for treatment of tuberculosis. He recovered enough to apply for homestead entry in August 1908 with intent to establish an experimental high-altitude farm. In September 1913 he applied for additional land for a total of 150 acres and received patent for both in March 1914.
Brook invested heavily in farming equipment and bought other homesteads to extend his holdings on Los Alamos Mesa. He became known as the Bean King. In the end, however, his business was not successful. In 1917 he went into partnership with Ashley Pond to start a boys' school. The two could not agree on important aspects of the business venture. Brook sold his holdings to Pond, who established the Los Alamos Ranch School. Brook moved to Las Cruces where he became the county extension agent. He died of tuberculosis in 1924.
Erected by County of Los Alamos, Fuller Lodge/Historic Districts Advisory Board, and Los Alamos Historic Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Albert J. Connell (here, next to this marker); William Mackwood Hopper (here, next to this marker); Martha Brook (here, next to this marker); Homesteading on the Pajarito Plateau, 1887-1942 (here, next to this marker); The Romero Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Fuller Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); Los Alamos Post Office (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Post Office (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Alamos.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Los Alamos Historical Walking Tour
Los Alamos Historical Society Archives
2. Marker detail: Harold H. Brook
3. Marker detail: property map
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2015
4. Harold H. Brook Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 143 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 24, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
