Near Lincoln in Lincoln County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Raton Ranch

Baca Campground

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 9, 2023

1. Raton Ranch Marker

Inscription. Shortly after Civilian Conservation Corp. camp DF-17-N was established in 1933 under the New Deal, it was renamed Camp Saturnino Baca for the founder of Lincoln County. Abandoned after one summer, it reopened in 1935 for five years as one of the first Unemployed Girls' Educational Camps in the nation. After Pearl Harbor was bombed in December 1941, the entire Japanese population of Clovis – railroad workers and their families – was relocated here during 1942, and the camp's name reverted to Raton Ranch. Today it is managed by Lincoln National Forest as Baca Campground.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.

Location. 33° 31.559′ N, 105° 26.326′ W. Marker is near Lincoln, New Mexico, in Lincoln County. It is at the intersection of Billy the Kid Trail (New Mexico Route 380) and County Road 002, on the left when traveling east on Billy the Kid Trail. The marker is in a pulloff

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picnic area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lincoln NM 88338, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s Pecos Valley. It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lucy Lepper Shaw (a few steps from this marker); Eve Ball (1890-1984) (approx. 2.6 miles away); Fort Stanton Cave (approx. 3.4 miles away); Lincoln (approx. 3½ miles away); Murphy-Dolan Store (approx. 3.6 miles away); a different marker also named Murphy-Dolan Store (approx. 3.6 miles away); Site of Old Wortley Hotel (approx. 3.6 miles away); Lincoln Historic District (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lincoln.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 9, 2023

2. Raton Ranch Marker

via U.S. Forest Service (Public Domain), May 15, 1934

3. Camp Baca

The Civilian Conservation Corps camp shortly after it opened. The CCC used the camp for only one summer.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 643 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.