Los Alamos in Los Alamos County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Martha Brook
Los Alamos Homestead Tour
— Site 1 • Marker 3 —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2015
1. Martha Brook Marker
Homestead Entry: August 1913
Los Alamos Ranch School
Purchase: 1920
Martha Brook was Harold Brook's mother. Brook applied for homestead entry in Martha's name in August 1913 for 150 acres of what is now Eastern Area, the airport, and much of DP Mesa. The forest ranger assigned to investigate homestead entries presumed that Brook was the driving force behind her entry, which violated the intent of the Homestead Act. Even so, he commented that the property was in good order and that the Brooks always complied with all requirements of the act.
Martha Brook was in her 50s and had medical problems. She much preferred her warm home in Las Cruces to the rigors of Los Alamos. When it came time to sign the papers for her homestead patent in November 1919, she asked that authority be reassigned to the Las Cruces Land Office so she would not have to make the arduous journey to Santa Fe.
In 1920, after he moved to Las Cruces, H. H. Brook sold his mother's land to a partner of the Los Alamos Ranch School. Hers was the last homestead to be incorporated into the holdings of the school, which then owned all private property on Los Alamos Mesa.
Erected by County of Los Alamos, Fuller Lodge/Historic Districts Advisory Board, and Los Alamos Historic Society
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1913.
Location. 35° 52.956′ N, 106° 18.085′ W. Marker is in Los Alamos, New Mexico, in Los Alamos County. Marker can 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 is at or near this postal address: 2132 Central Avenue, Los Alamos NM 87544, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Albert J. Connell (here, next to this marker); Harold H. Brook (here, next to this marker); William Mackwood Hopper (a few steps from this marker); Homesteading on the Pajarito Plateau, 1887-1942 (a few steps from 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
2. Marker detail: Martha Brook by her homestead cabin
3. Marker detail: property map
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2015
4. Martha 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 124 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 24, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
