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

Shalam Colony

1884-1901

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 5, 2010

1. Shalam Colony Marker

Inscription. In 1884, Shalam Colony was established on the banks of the Rio Grande near the village of Doña Ana by John Ballou Newbrough and a group of Utopian followers called Faithists. Newbrough’s “Book of Shalam" set forth a plan for gathering the outcast and orphaned children of the world and raising them to be the spiritual leaders of a new age. Shalam Colony was closed in 1901.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Communal and Utopian Societies series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 32° 23.02′ N, 106° 50.442′ W. Marker is near Doña Ana, New Mexico, in Doña Ana County. It is at the intersection of North Valley Drive (State Road 185 at milepost 5.5) and Shalam Colony Trail (County Road D052), on the right when traveling south on North Valley Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6494 Shalem Colony Trail, Dona Ana NM 88032, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the Rio Grande 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 Gadsden Purchase,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bartlett Garcia (approx. 0.9 miles away); Doña Ana (approx. 0.9 miles away); Doña Ana (1604–1680) (approx. 1.9 miles away); Rio Grande (approx. 5.1 miles away); The Caboose (approx. 6 miles away); The Centennial Caboose (approx. 6 miles away); The Classic Caboose (approx. 6 miles away); The Branigan Building (approx. 6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Doña Ana.

Rear of Shalam Colony Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 5, 2010

2. Rear of Shalam Colony Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 5, 2010

3. Shalam Colony Marker

View south on Highway 185.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 4,766 times since then and 293 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 19, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.