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

Smokey Bear

Photographed By Mary Ellen Coghlan, August 10, 2005

1. Smokey Bear Marker

Inscription. This is the resting place of the first living Smokey Bear. In 1950 when Smokey was a tiny cub, wildfire burned his forest home in the nearby Capitan Mountains of the Lincoln National Forest. Firefighters found the badly burned cub clinging to a blackened tree and saved his life. In June 1950,the cub was flown to our Nation's Capitol to become the living symbol of wildfire prevention and wildlife conservation. After 25 years he was replaced by another orphaned black bear from the Lincoln National Forest.

Erected 1976.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Disasters • Environment • Natural Resources. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1950.

Location. 33° 32.784′ N, 105° 34.463′ W. Marker is in Capitan, New Mexico, in Lincoln County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Smokey Bear Boulevard (U.S. 380) and Stanton Avenue (County Road 206). Marker is to the rear of the Smokey Bear Museum and gift shop. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 118 Smokey Bear Blvd, Capitan NM 88316, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Smokey Bear Historical Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Capitán (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Capitán

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Capitán (approx. 1½ miles away); Japanese Segregation Camp No. 1 (approx. 4.3 miles away); CCC Camp/German Internment Camp (approx. 4.4 miles away); Chapel (approx. 4½ miles away); Officer's Quarters (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Capitan.

Regarding Smokey Bear. Smokey Bear is the national symbol of the National Park Service's efforts to prevent forest fires, protect wildlife and conserve natural resources. The powerful print ad and poster campaign began in 1944, six years before the living Smokey Bear mentioned on this marker was found atop a charred tree in the Lincoln National Forest.

Additional keywords. Forest Fires

Photographed By Mary Ellen Coghlan, August 10, 2005

2. Smokey Bear Marker

Rendering of Smokey in the tree as he was found image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mary Ellen Coghlan, August 10, 2005

3. Rendering of Smokey in the tree as he was found

Museum display of Smokey with the Ranger who found him. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mary Ellen Coghlan, August 10, 2005

4. Museum display of Smokey with the Ranger who found him.

Historical Park Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mary Ellen Coghlan, August 10, 2005

5. Historical Park Sign

Marker is within the Smokey Bear Historical Park

Museum and Gift Shop image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mary Ellen Coghlan, August 10, 2005

6. Museum and Gift Shop

Marker is to the rear of this building.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2009, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Warwick, New York. This page has been viewed 1,874 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 4, 2009, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Warwick, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Separate HMdb entry for the pedestal style historical marker near this marker. • Can you help?