Carrizozo in Lincoln County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Carrizozo History
Photographed by James Hulse, April 10, 2025
1. Carrizozo History Marker
Carrizozo was founded in 1899 by promoter Charles B. Eddy and his brother John as they built their railroad, the El Paso and Northeastern, from El Paso towards Santa Rosa. A branch line was also built from Carrizozo east to Capitan. In 1905, Eddy brothers sold the railroad to Phelps Dodge Company, who renamed it the El Paso and Southwestern. In 1906 Carrizozo was platted by developer Ira Wetmore and still looks much like the original plats.
Governor William C. McDonald, New Mexico's first elected governor after statehood, owned the Bar W Ranch just north of town. Carrizozo was built on former Bar W land.
While Carrizozo boomed as a new bustling railroad town, White Oaks and Lincoln declined. In 1913 the county seat was moved from Lincoln to Carrizozo because Carrizozo had a railroad.
Carrizozo gets its name from the tall red grass called "Carrizo" by the Spanish that used to grow here in abundance. The mountain to the Northeast is called "Carrizo Mountain."
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.
Location. 33° 38.746′ N, 105° 52.351′ W. Marker is in Carrizozo, New Mexico, in Lincoln County. It is at the intersection of Central Avenue
this page online
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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: End of the Line for the End of a Train (a few steps from this marker); Carrizozo Woman's Club (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Carrizozo Woman's Club (approx. 0.4 miles away); Carrizozo (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Carrizozo (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Carrizozo (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named Carrizozo (approx. 0.9 miles away); Malpais (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carrizozo.
Photographed by James Hulse, April 10, 2025
2. The wide view of the Carrizozo History Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
