Hillsboro in Sierra County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Sadie Orchard

(1860 - 1943)

Photographed by Wyndfire, July 3, 2016

1. Sadie Orchard Marker

Inscription. Arriving in the silver mining boomtown of Kingston in 1886, Sadie Jane Creech Orchard is arguably the most colorful woman in New Mexico history. Sadie opened brothels, worked as a prostitute, built and operated hotels, restaurants, and co-owned and drove for a regional stagecoach line. During World War I she tended to the less fortunate, and in the 1918 flu pandemic nursed children and cared for the sick and dying. New Mexico writer Erna Fergusson wrote of her "For a bad woman, Sadie was one of the best."

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Women. In addition, it is included in the New Mexico Women’s Historic Marker Initiative series list.

Location. 32° 55.247′ N, 107° 34.033′ W. Marker is in Hillsboro, New Mexico, in Sierra County. It is on Road 152, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3 State Highway 152, Hillsboro NM 88042, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest New Mexico and 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

and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hillsboro (within shouting distance of this marker); Miller Drug Store

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(about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ebin (Eben) Stanley (approx. 0.3 miles away); Percha Creek (approx. 2.2 miles away); James McNally (approx. 8.1 miles away); Emory Pass (approx. 11.6 miles away).

Regarding Sadie Orchard. The back side of the marker reads:
The New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative was founded in 2005 by members of the New Mexico Women's Forum in a statewide effort to recognize women's contributions to New Mexico history on the state's Official Scenic Historic Markers. The Initiative ensures that women's diverse histories will be remembered and told, and will inspire and provide a guide for future generations. The 2006 Legislature funded the project.

Additional keywords. prostitution

Photographed by Wyndfire, July 3, 2016

2. Sadie Orchard Marker

Reverse side of the marker

Photographed by Wyndfire, July 3, 2016

3. Sadie Orchard Marker

From a distance

Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2016, by Jennifer W. of Las Cruces, New Mexico. This page has been viewed 1,616 times since then and 62 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 3, 2016, by Jennifer W. of Las Cruces, New Mexico. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.