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A Colorful Past It was known by many names. To the people of the Taos Pueblo it was Pee Ho Ghey Poe (red running stream); the Spanish who came in the 17th century named it Rio Colorado (colored or red river);  Carl Brown
it was even known as Laguna, because of the presence of beaver dams and lakes that stretched the length of the valley. No matter the name, the Red River Valley was a beautiful place filled with natural wonder. Following the end of the Civil War, a gold rush in the Moreno Valley just over the mountain saw the birth of Elizabethtown, a community that would number 5,000 people at its peak. Prospectors wandered into the Red River area in the early 1870's but had little luck, returning to the streams around E-town. In the 1880’s, the valley was quiet and remote, visited only by native hunters and by a few trappers looking for pelts and hides. Edward Westoby, Charles Compton and Will Sellers were among those who would hunt and trap the high country, returning in the 1890's when gold and silver seekers began to have promising findings along the Red River. A Town is Born Established in 1895 and named for the cold, clear river that ran through its heart, Red River City soon became a classic gold camp, with all the excitement and "hoopla" of the end of the rainbow. Mines like the Black Copper, Golden Calf and the Silver King kept the Red River Mining District buzzing with excitement until the turn of the century. With shop, stores, hotels, saloons and the impending arrival of a railroad line, the town boasted a population of 3,000 adventurous souls by 1897. Prospectors like Italian immigrant Pietro "Pete" DelDosso and his faithful friend were a common sight throughout the valley, a symbol of persistence and tireless effort. As was often the case in western "boom" towns, enthusiasm and energy often outweighed the actual realites. Transportation difficulties and the frequent presence of low grade ore spelled an end to grandiose plans. Many of the hard-working prospectors followed the rumors of new "finds" into the faraway canyons and frozen gulches of the klondike. By the New Year of 1906, only 300 people remained in the valley that once served as the bottom of an ancient lake. Unlike so many Western communities that dried up and blew away when the mines played out, Red River City refused to die, choosing instead to embrace a new way of survival in the mountains. As early as 1900, newspapers and journals were printing glowing accounts of the recreational potential of the small mining community |  Carl Brown
nestled in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of Northern New Mexico. In addition to being touted as one of the finest trout fishing areas in the U.S., the breath-taking high country offered camping, hiking and sightseeing opportunities second to none. It was proclaimed as the ideal place to "just plain relax." In addition, the papers noted that the inhabitants were friendly and knew how to make a traveler feel welcome. It was, they said, the perfect vacation spot. A New Direction The town turned its attention to hospitality, sheltering, feeding and entertaining those travelers who dared to climb over Bob Cat Pass and descend on the steep and difficult road that lead from E-town to Red River City. With the help of the U.S. Forest Service, a new more passable road was constructed, open to traffic in spring of 1917. This wonder of engineering opened the gates and summer visitors soon had the valley aglow with new and prosperous activity. The renewed community saw much growth during the 1920s and '30s, with lodges, restaurants, stores and dance halls springing up to accommodate the public. While mining had dwindled in the area, it never really ceased. Occasional bursts of interest saw activity increase at such places as the Caribel mine, the Big Five-Oro Fino and the Buffalo mine, which continue to attract investors throughout the Roaring 20's. Even rejuvenated enthusiasm and optimism could not withstand the effect of the Great Depression and mining activity was relegated to the pages of history. Following the end of World War II, Red River began a new cycle of growth, which culminated in the opening of the Red River Ski Area in 1959. Fueled by the post-war interest in recreation, and snow skiing in particular, Red River became a year-round resort, attracting visitors from all over the nation and the world. Today, Red River, NM, is once again a growing town. As the 21st century approaches, it is still renowned as a place to relax and have fun. In addition to the outdoor activities it has become famous for - skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, horseback riding, camping - Red River offers a full schedule of special events throughout the year. Events like the Old-Time Cowboy Christmas, Winter Carnival, NASTAR ski races and the extremely popular Mardi Gras in the Mountains keep the winter months filled with action and excitement for folks of all ages. Summer and autumn fun includes rodeos, parades, bike races, craft fairs and a Professional Lumberjack contest, to name only a few highlights. © Red River Miner |
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