Capitan in Lincoln County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Capitán
Population 1400 -- Elevation 6350 Ft.
[This is a two-sided marker]
Side A:
Many incidents in the Lincoln County War, 1876-1879, occurred in the area around Capitán. The promoters Charles B. and John A. Eddy platted the townsite in 1900, after building a spur of the El Paso & Northeastern Railroad from Carrizozo in order to open the Salado coal fields. The mines were abandoned in 1901.
Side B:
In 1950, a little bear cub, his feet badly burned, was rescued from a forest fire near here. The cub was nursed back to health and flown to Washington, D.C. to become the living symbol of "Smokey Bear" in the U.S. Forest Service’s fire prevention program.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 33° 33.209′ N, 105° 35.938′ W. Marker is in Capitan, New Mexico, in Lincoln County. Marker is on U.S. 380 at milepost 83.5, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Capitan NM 88316, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Capitán (approx. 1.1 miles away); Smokey Bear (approx. 1˝ miles away); Smokey Bear Historical Park (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Capitán (approx. 2 miles away); Japanese Segregation Camp No. 1 (approx. 5.6 miles away); CCC Camp/German Internment Camp (approx. 5.7 miles away); Chapel (approx. 5.8 miles away); Commanding Officer's Quarters (approx. 5.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Capitan.
Also see . . . An Orphaned Gub - The Story of Smokey. Smokey Bear website entry:
New Mexico's Smokey the Bear - How he was orphaned, rescued and named. (Submitted on August 17, 2011.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 589 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 10, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.