A Forgotten Ghost Town in New Mexico

A Forgotten Ghost Town in New Mexico - In the middle of nowhere we stumble upon another ghost town, this time in New Mexico. Upon digging into its history, we discover this abandoned silver mining town went from boom to bust in two short years! Despite mining one of the purest silver deposits found anywhere in America, more than one man lost his fortune in this small town, including the man who started it all. Was this place cursed? Find out in this episode of SightseeingSally.
About me: I grew up in a small town the Midwest. Now I drive America's backroads exploring small towns, forgotten places, local history and more!
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#forgottenhistory #forgottenplaces #ghosttowns #newmexico

[@FamilyMcSherry]

Ha! We grew up western dancing there on the occasional Saturday night to the tunes of local fiddle players on the wood floor of the old school house. Part of the recent 'old west'.

[@lazio7495]

Love my state of New Mexico. So much history and still so many unexplored areas

[@marylouflores7203]

Me too Love my New Mexico. I'm from Northern New Mexico.🌲

[@lazio7495]

@@marylouflores7203 me too 😊

[@levibrewer4304]

I love Lincoln county ,Live near capitan New Mexico.

[@GenXvanlife69]

❤ Santa Fe hometown 🫶

[@levibrewer4304]

@@GenXvanlife69 Came to Lincoln county in ninety seven from Carolina beach NC. Love the southwest.

[@juliogonzales5441]

Great to be with Marty and Sally

[@SightseeingSally]

Woohoo! Thanks Julio 🥳 glad you're with us on these adventures.

[@vickiepeek2279]

cant believe that gas sign is still there

[@laurajohnsen1171]

The car in lake valley nm is a 1930's ford

[@jameslaupan6499]

Hello you two wanderers, Cactus Jim from Hillsboro here, I had the pleasure of meeting you'all Saturday afternoon, and low an behold I've watched some of your Texas videos, wish I woulda connected the dots when we were talking! I hope your video for Hillsboro is as fun and interesting as this one! Continue doin your thing, your both naturals at it, I'll be following ya from here on forward, Adios amigo en Amiga! Gracias

[@SightseeingSally]

Hey Cactus Jim! It was great to meet you - we enjoyed chatting and would've stuck around longer if we hadn't had to finish up our video shoot. What are the odds??!! Way cool!!! Thanks so much ✌️😁

[@Filthymutt]

I have an uncanny love for the southwest, particularly New Mexico. There's so much history that I feel gets forgotten and left behind. I can't wait to see what y'all stumble upon! Thanks for taking us with you on these trips. They are so informative and wonderful.

[@SightseeingSally]

Thanks Katie! We can't wait to see what we discover in New Mexico either. It's the Land of Enchantment after all 😉❤️

[@griswald7156]

@@SightseeingSally you must spend hours in the cab getting to places from Wisconsin..which radio stations do you dig?

[@SightseeingSally]

@@griswald7156 I like anything that plays what people call Classic Rock - 70s, 80s, 90s, etc. I was into the hairbands back in the day and will always turn up the volume for Motley Crue, Cinderella, Ratt, and Tesla. I also like easy listening and the modern Indie rock. For the most part I can listen to just about anything. Except the bubble gum songs of the 60s, the crybaby genre of country (I lost my dog, my wife cheated on me, and now I'm drinking myself into oblivion), cheesy polka, or the super low heavy thumping sounds of modern rap.

[@griswald7156]

@@SightseeingSally in the uk we have a program on the BBC radio called “desert island discs” where famous people get to play their favourite tunes…a different celebrity every week..you and Marty would be a sensation on that..get your agent to fix it up… What does it for Marty?im going to research everything you’ve mentioned as the only one i recognise is motley crue….ive heard of those tunesmiths but i just wouldnt recognise anything they do coming out of a speaker.. I get my head around Edward Sheeran at the moment..and Andy Fairweather Low I do like the cream of the cry baby genre of country…..but i know a lot of people have jumped on that bandwagon…and that follow on stuff is not good. What is Martys singalong song in the cab? What is his karaoke favourite….? And yours ! I’ve checked out your glam-rock bands…it was all new to me ,Tesla were good and Cinderella were very good..they reminded me of T-Rex and Queen..

[@randallsmerna384]

OMG your eyes are AMAZING!

[@gregwarner3753]

Anne and I were fortunately able to visit Lake Valley a dozen years ago. Since them she passed away and I doubt if I will ever be able to visit my favorite state again. Enjoy New Mexico. It is indeed the Land of Enchantment.

[@richardkrautkramer996]

Keep up the good work. I miss being a historical archaeologist. Once I retire from the railroad I will finally have the time to go back doing what I love.

[@SightseeingSally]

Thanks Richard! Is there anyway you can get back to doing it part time? Life's too short to put off doing something you love so much.

[@richardkrautkramer996]

I wish I had spare time. The railroad is not a job it's a lifestyle that doesn't allow much time off to do much else.

[@markwilkerson9785]

As always it is great to get underway with you two. Learning a lot of history and having fun along the way!

[@SightseeingSally]

Awesome! Thanks Mark 😁

[@duanelogan9633]

Thanks!

[@SightseeingSally]

You’re very welcome Duane, thank you kindly 🥰

[@caroljames6371]

Love your vids. You and Marty are a great pair with your knowledge and curiosity. I always try to imagine living in those times. Thank you.

[@SightseeingSally]

Thanks Carol ❤️ we love that you love watching our vids.

[@duanelogan9633]

Hello Sally and Marty Marty is right 420 would have been a good break LOL thank you guys for another great video 🏆🏆👍✌️

[@SightseeingSally]

LOL I knew you'd agree with him, Duane. I don't know what I'm gonna do with Marty. He says the darnedest things. 😂

[@GusMcCrae01]

Sooooo interesting Sally. Thoroughly enjoyed this vid.

[@treasuretom13]

Thanks Sally for bringing us interesting stories of Lake Valley!

[@twobikesandadrone]

You're a great storyteller Sally! Love the way you're able to break the story up and keep us engaged until the very end!

[@onrycodger]

As always....another great video!🙂👍

[@SightseeingSally]

Thank you so much 😀

[@CrocodileFears]

This is the best sight seeing show I've come across. You two do a really good job... Awesome couple, too. I can feel the love.

[@curtandoscar]

Yet another wonderful video. Thank you.

[@gregboyden564]

another very good video filled with history. thank you. so many stories of people's lives that have passed before us. You really take us back in time to a simpler time thanks!

[@SightseeingSally]

Thanks Greg. For some reason, I feel for Lufkin. He really missed out on the big time.

[@gregboyden564]

@@SightseeingSally something tells me Lufkin do his research and thereby got skunked!

[@PlanBProductioninc]

great video sally and Marty, sally your quirky personality.and narration are fun to watch , lake valley is really cool ,looks relatively intact , thanks again guys for a fun and historically interesing video of lake valley i totally enjoyed it and look forward to the next adventure

[@davidwick4298]

I enjoy your video's and keep them coming. Also I like your hat pins to. Thank you Sally and Marty ☺️.

[@SightseeingSally]

Thanks David 😁 we're really happy to know you enjoy watching our little show.

[@susanhiller1039]

I loved school too! And, we plan to roadtrip in April and will go through NM (Route 66 adventure)

[@SightseeingSally]

Awesome Susan, wishing you safe travels and lots of fun on your upcoming road trip!!!

[@bradfordbarrettluckotheIrish]

Very interesting video Sally & Marty!

[@_S-O-S_]

Another wonderful “nickel” tour…👍🏻💖👍🏻 I truly enjoy each and every video…

[@SightseeingSally]

The nickel tours are the best you'll get with us 😂 Thank you, that makes my day!

[@makadutaarzola9453]

Love your videos on all the old towns. Very interesting. Thank you and Blessings😁🙏

[@SightseeingSally]

Glad you like them! Thank you so much ❤️

[@73honda350]

Since you're in the southwest, consider checking out Cochise county in SE AZ. A number of ghost towns plus some pretty unusual towns such as Tombstone, Bisbee/Warren and Patagonia.

[@SightseeingSally]

Ok, cool. We might just do that. Thanks for the tips, we appreciate it!

[@cherylmay595]

The old mining ghost town of Pierce, Courtland and Gleeson too.

[@randyburlingame1611]

Great narrative and photographs /W video Thanks

[@bigtexasprospecting]

Great show! Thanks for sharing. Sierra NM has some kinda energy that is so addicting. I’m from TX but my heart is stuck in NM. 👍🤩🤠

[@garybryant6148]

Another outstanding video. Thank you. I noticed there was still some good stuff could still be used.

[@SightseeingSally]

Thank you! Sounds like you must be a collector at heart Gary 😉😊

[@wil7228]

I'm glad I found your channel the narration and history is very informative. Thank you.

[@stevedobson7837]

Thanks for that video it was very interesting.

[@SightseeingSally]

Thanks Steve, glad you think so!

[@dirtyburd71]

I love New Mexico and am glad to be back! Small town livin' in Mountainair! I really enjoy your videos!

[@hikingwithjackieboy]

Quite interesting thank you for sharing

[@kevincondit79]

My son and I went to Lake Valley approximately 3 years ago. You left the part out about the school bell. Somebody stole the school bell in the fifties and it was returned in the late eighties.

[@SightseeingSally]

Oops! Well, you covered it for me quite well. Thank you Kevin 😊

[@Catlife247]

Megninese? 😆 your videos lighten my day. Thank you for that 💜💙💜💙 I wish you could post every day 😹🤣

[@SightseeingSally]

hahaha that word kept tripping me up!

[@victoriamaaske7420]

Thanks for going to N M for us and showing us this miner town. The history lesson is much appreciated

[@SightseeingSally]

Our pleasure! Happy to hear you enjoyed learning Lake Valley's history, Victoria 😊

[@davidbarnett5777]

Great research. I live 40 miles from LV…never been there, just drove ny….…it’s on my list now.

[@ahmedhumayunrasheed2434]

Sally visiting Heisenberg country!

[@SightseeingSally]

Yes, if you see me walking in Albuquerque with a pizza box you know what's coming next lol

[@ahmedhumayunrasheed2434]

@@SightseeingSally Haha! Walter!

[@alondranowe414]

New Mexico is beautiful... Love it.

[@zaynahmahir9478]

Around 1962 I went to a country dance in this schoolhouse with my aunt and uncle. Acoustics were great. Cattlemen and their wives and kids drove more than an hour to attend these dances. I also went to a dance in Yeso New Mexico in that old schoolhouse. At the country club in Carrizozo and also one in Artesia. I was a lucky kid.

[@judichristopher4604]

WELCOME (again) to New Mexico (US) When I move to Albuquerque... y'all will have to stop by. Thank you for this great video... Love it.

[@JohnShinn1960]

🤠👍Man nan ga neece! See? That wasn't very hard. Or was it? 🤔 Thanks Sally! Thanks Marty!

[@SightseeingSally]

Thanks John! Even with everyone's help I'm still having trouble... but now it's becuz I'm laughing too hard 😂

[@georgeknight636]

Fascinating history. Love to see old west towns and learn history . Greetings from banffshire n. E . Scotland. Very much malt whisky country . Glenfiddich and macallan distilleries here as well as many more .

[@glennjudd2467]

Very interesting !.I would live there! Nice !

[@glennjudd2467]

School be worth seeing!

[@glennjudd2467]

Money is coming soon to help out !

[@SightseeingSally]

Thanks Glenn! We appreciate it very much. I think you'd enjoy living in Lake Valley.The views are stunning out here and things are pretty quiet in town these days...

[@amigo216]

Some of it is definitely private property! Good observation to share. I had friends who lived there on a ranch. I lived 2 ranches over. Thanks for the video. We use have 4H dances at the school ( late 90s).

[@SightseeingSally]

That (the dances) sounds fun!

[@janroberts2860]

Really Interesting!!

[@1954shadow]

But, Sally, you be the star.

[@SightseeingSally]

Lol thanks!

[@DeeMoback]

Good music

[@SightseeingSally]

Thanks Jay!

[@justnerdystuff]

Have you checked out Folsom, New Mexico? It has some really cool stories about it and a manned little museum. Definitely worth driving there.

[@mled31611]

Good video and explanation

[@sandyzalecki1145]

The museum must be fairly new. I visited Lake Valley a few times. I think the last time was in 2009 and the museum wasn't there yet. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us.

[@richardbeee]

So the man-ga-nese got married in the bridal chamber to princess silver chloride. Cool.

[@SightseeingSally]

Yes!!! I love it.

[@eddiealbritton2462]

👍up on the 4-20 Marty ☺️

[@larrywatkins5602]

While living in El Paso in 1965, I first visited Lake Valley. There were one or two people still living there, before the BLM put a caretaker there. It is a fascinating place

[@hughwolfe1176]

Hello Sally and Marty... You'r within a couple of hours of where I live and yes that is a location I've been meaning to get to. I just discovered your channel, looks interesting so I subscribed.

[@wil7228]

That metal bucket brings back memories when I was a kid I picked pears for summer back then you had you had to know someone to work at a gas station or fast food.

[@matruthn.m.bassinGanGanG]

Awesome 👏

[@TamzLoves2Learn]

I love New Mexico! I visited a few ghost towns there. I need to check this town out next time I am in the state.

[@SightseeingSally]

Yes! Definitely put Lake Valley on your list for next time you're here, it's worth a look.

[@coolmoodee]

om going to Retire to NM. I just bought a 1000 acres ranch. Looking forward to moving there in the near future

[@parellano100]

12:21 Awesome!!! I'm one of those odd ducks too. 🦆🤪 I am healing from that now though, once I realized the level of indoctrination. Your zippered flannel ROCKS! 🎸 Be well. Love & Light 💫🕊️💖

[@rickjohnson6559]

Ok I'm 64 and my health is failing. Oh I have stories. Pure silver has a nickname. Horn silver. Southern Utah was populated by early Mormon homesteads. The story starts near cove fort. Early settlers built homes with rocks. And the fireplaces were made of the same. Now the story is south and west towards Franklin a home fireplace in winter finally got cold enough the rocks started bleeding. And puddles on the floor the fire was so hot. Brigham young had issued the order none were to search for any metals or treasures in the mountains. They were to homestead ranch and farm. Well the puddles were taken south to cedercity. Pure horn silver. So the settlers defied Brigham's orders. And searched for the source. They found a cavern with Spanish tools and marking. In the candle light they also saw a room of pure silver porter Rockwell was sent to stop them and this story faded into families history journals. But silver burro shoes are found all over southern Utah. And horse shoes. You see silver was easy to find for the conquistadors. Iron was very hard to find yet refine the iron ore. Soo. Go. Find it.

[@SightseeingSally]

Sounds like you do, Rick! Thanks for sharing.

[@OdySlim]

The old car looks like an old Hudson Terraplane, maybe. Thanks for the video. Regards from Ody Slim

[@SightseeingSally]

Hmmm, interesting - an old Hudson Terraplane! I'll take your word for it. Thanks Ody Slim

[@kathysalsbury690]

The car is 1930’s Plymouth PJ.

[@MichaelSmith-dr9sf]

I was thinking an old packard.

[@dougsmith8760]

I adore your videos, they make my day ！

[@jessihall0854]

Love my New Mexico ❤️🕊️❤️

[@1954shadow]

M-A-R-T-Y!

[@MeanderingMarty]

👍

[@sc2824]

The entrance to the Bridal Chamber used to be open in the 1970s. As you drive north on Hwy 27, after you pass the 2nd dirt road into Lake Valley (the west one), go a half mile further and stop where a dirt road takes off to the left. There, a couple hundred yards to your right (easterly), you can see a steep, sharp little embankment. That's where the opening was.

[@SightseeingSally]

Thanks Earl! I'm exploring other options as to where to upload our content. In the meantime, we're going to keep fighting against the machine here on KZbin.

[@bobgoodwin1032]

I love you two ,...... keep up the great videos !!!

[@larryparish5984]

While in Nevada did you happen to get up to Jarbidge ? Supposed to be the most remote town in the lower 48. Lots of history there also.

[@jerroldmcley4347]

I can't believe that Conoco sign is still there

[@wadetyler5056]

The Bridal Chamber silver was so pure they reportedly mined it with blow torches!

[@SightseeingSally]

I read that the silver melted off the ceiling from the heat of their torches.

[@Cnw8701]

I love the Southwest!

[@rayfarris5000]

And you’re wearing Engineer boots! 😎

[@scottnixon9367]

I live in ABQ. I need to take a trip down there.

[@treeandaturd]

Partial polish her also, Sally. The most challenging aspect of my life has always been the 7-10 split.

[@richardvasquez9668]

The Land of Entrapment! Lol. Come to my town of Lordsburg, New Mexico and you can see shakespear ghost town.

[@tommunyon2874]

This episode brought to mind a book I read years ago, " Black Range Tales" by Jim Beckworth ( don't hold me to the spelling of the author's name). It is an autobiographical account of prospecting for silver and gold in 19th Century New Mexico.

[@backcountryboondockers]

Got a town for ya. Uravan Colorado. I'd ratrod that car

[@SightseeingSally]

Uravan Colorado - never heard of it. Already sounds like our kind of place!

[@orionwarren4244]

Haha! #1Baby!

[@SightseeingSally]

Woohoo 🥳

[@roberthale2268]

If you're into silver, you might want to check out Silver Reef here in Southwest Utah near Leeds. Not too far from Zion NP.

[@SightseeingSally]

Sounds like an interesting place. I'm going to look it up. Thanks Robert!

[@matthewsorensen2147]

Nice marty I like that double pooper

[@treeandaturd]

Two holer

[@SightseeingSally]

hahaha you guys are too much

[@michaeltaylor4984]

We used to hunt that area. Got my first mule deer in a small valley.

[@philipkosowsky6854]

The car looks like a 1935 Plymouth 4 dr sedan

[@bryantint1339]

What County is Lake Valley, New Mexico?

[@lisasmith9311]

We use to drive past there

[@newmanbailey]

Don't know if you've been to this area before but Sirocco New Mexico would be an interesting place to go one reason that it's interesting that there's hardly anything there that there is a beautiful River and there is a School of Mines College which is interesting at that would be there cuz there's nothing else there but it is the home of the Hilton family of the Conrad Hilton Hotels have where they first got their start out of their small business which is mostly all gone

[@craigroach8297]

Check out Shakespeare New Mexico . It’s an amazing museum of a ghost town south of silver city .

[@SightseeingSally]

Thanks! Appreciate the tip, Craig.

[@craigroach8297]

Don’t for get the ruins of Cabezon at the foot of the extinct volcano by the same name . Two movies were filmed there , one with Henry Fonda . You will need the owner’s permission to enter . It’s fascinating! Best wishes and be well !

[@redbaron0949]

I love 💕 what I have seen in videos of NM , really hope to take a vacation there with my wife next year as I have never visited the State. I have heard stories of crime in America's Southwest now, can you give me any information about where we might visit in the Albuquerque Area that would be relatively safe" I realize crime is everywhere, my son was murdered in rural Tennessee while picking up Pizza in that parking lot by a drug addict already convicted of felonies, he received only seventeen year sentence and will probably serve much less" but the reason I ask You is tourist agencies are not really familiar with the areas, you are. I would appreciate anything you could help me with. The planned trip would include the small town Southwest of Albuquerque you introduced us to, Albuquerque itself, maybe Nellis Air Force Base. Thank you both for reading my comment, any help appreciated 👍

[@kurtledesma5993]

Great place! Was there a few years back , good place to sit and let the world go by! I believe the car is a 1935 (about) Plymouth , the cemetery across the highway is also interesting

[@jeremywells2904]

Wow I live in truth or consequences which is in sierra County where Hillsboro is at

[@joepearson585]

Where is the caretaker??? The state used to have one there. Hopefully that was not eliminated by covid. Someone needs to be there to prevent theft and vandalism.

[@RandyWeber]

Hi Sally, I was trying to find Lake Valley but only in northwestern New Mexico. Where is Lake Valley in your video? Thank you.

[@cherylmay595]

It's near Hillsboro.

[@RandyWeber]

@@cherylmay595 Hi Thank you, I also ended up finding it on Google Maps a few days later after I posted this.

[@glennfoster2423]

Lake Valley is between Deming and Hatch.

[@traceytrotter9934]

I love school too. And skipping! It's actually really good exercise and alot more fun than jogging. Can you imagine if people went skipping instead of jogging? Would be so fun. Love the video, Thanks Guys! 🤠

[@SightseeingSally]

Sounds awesome! I'd be down for that. I love skipping, hate jogging lol

[@pigoff123]

Drs still made house calls in the late 80s. When my daughter was sick my moms doctor came over to check her out.

[@theleeunit1189]

1935 Plymouth PJ. The Yale lock is most likely after market.

[@griswald7156]

Id say the car was late 1930’s

[@SightseeingSally]

I guess Marty wasn't too far off by saying 1940s then.

[@cherylmay595]

I've been there many, many times. I guess they don't have dances at the old school house anymore?

[@oldschool8798]

Minor correction: At 1:13 you say the town reached its peak with a population of 1000, but the sign shown at 1:16 says the town had a population up to 4000.

[@ModelARickLasCruces]

The rusty 4-door sedan is from the mid 1930s. From the looks of the radiator grille and the flathead 6 engine, I'm guessing it might have been a Dodge or Plymouth.

[@jerrypredmore8793]

They used to have many years ago, country music and dances on a Saturday night. Nice to see a young man maybe 4 or5 years old take his cowboy hat off, bow and ask a lady for a dance.

[@mikeh5039]

👍

[@SightseeingSally]

✌️