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
this page online
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 35° 52.957′ N, 106° 18.089′ W. Marker was in Los Alamos, New Mexico, in Los Alamos County. It could be reached from Juniper Street just west of 19th Street. Marker is located along the walkway just north of the Los Alamos Historical Museum. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 2132 Central Avenue, Los Alamos NM 87544, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Northern New Mexico. It was also in the American Southwest. Globally, it was in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Five Eras of History (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Romero Cabin
Los Alamos Historical Society Archives
2. Marker detail: Harold H. Brook
Other markers no longer nearby. Albert J. Connell (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); William Mackwood Hopper (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Martha Brook (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Homesteading on the Pajarito Plateau, 1887-1942 (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); The Romero Cabin (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Los Alamos Historical Walking Tour
3. Marker detail: property map
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2015
4. Harold H. Brook Marker
Photographed by James Hulse, March 25, 2025
5. The 6 original markers have been removed and replaced with different markers along the trail
Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 500 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. 5. submitted on April 7, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
