Cloudcroft in Otero County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Burro Avenue 1903
Village of Cloudcroft
| | New Mexico Rails-to-Trails | |
Photographed by James Hulse, June 25, 2024
1. Burro Avenue 1903 Marker
In early 1908, a prospector recently arrived from the Klondike, J.S. Hauser, purported to find a gold bearing quartz vein right in the middle of Burro Avenue, showing as evidence a gold nugget he had supposedly found there. He had no trouble recruiting partners, and immediately the local merchants began digging up the street.
This sign was created and is actively maintained by volunteers from the New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association-o 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization - in partnership with the Village of Cloudcroft. For more information or to find out how you can help us maintain these important paths through nature and history, please contact us at nmrailstotrails.org or find us on Facebook at /NMRailstoTrails.
Erected by Rails to Trails, Village of Cloudcroft,
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is October 18, 1909.
Location. 32° 57.521′ N, 105° 44.559′ W. Marker is in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, in Otero County. It is at the intersection of Burro Avenue and Swallow Place, on the right when traveling east on Burro Avenue. The marker is located at the corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cloudcroft NM 88317, 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 Comancherνa, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Texas Hotel (a few steps from this marker); Burro Avenue in 1932 (within shouting distance of this marker); From the Ashes (within shouting distance of this
Photographed by James Hulse, June 25, 2024
2. The view of Burro Avenue and the marker
Also see . . . The History of Cloudcroft. Sacramento Mountains Historical Society
More than a century ago, brothers Charles Bishop Eddy and John Arthur Eddyorganizers of the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad arrived in the brand new town of Alamogordo, hoping to continue the rail line. Because they needed railroad ties and timber, the brothers sent a survey crew into the nearby Sacramento Mountains to assess the possibility of laying a line that reached the summit. In the fall of 1898, the crew reported that not only could a line be built, the areas majestic beauty would draw visitors from far and wide. The crew suggested the name Cloudcroft,a pasture for the clouds.(Submitted on July 16, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
By the end of 1898, the railroad line reached Toboggan Canyon. The following summer, John Arthur Eddy officially opened the Pavilion at the summit that provided accommodations for visitors including a kitchen, dining room, parlor, entertainment hall and 40 tents set on wooden platforms. Guests attended the festivities by taking the train to Toboggan Canyon and then a stagecoach up to Cloudcroft. The new resort received rave reviews in El Paseo and other area newspapers, and crowds began to visit the area. Fire twice destroyed the Pavilion but it was rebuilt each time in its original style.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 221 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 16, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
