Elephant Butte Inn Blog
Weekend of Lights
Posted November 30, 2012
December 8 at 5pm - Enter through the main gate at Elephant Butte Lake State Park - A festive holiday event, sponsored by the Elephant Butte Chamber of Commerce that is sure to warm your heart. Stroll the Elephant Butte Lake State Park sandy beach path lit by 4,000 Luminarias and along the way you'll enjoy free refreshments at approximately 26 bon-fired and decorated campsites all hosted by businesses, organizations, clubs and individuals. There are hayrides, campsite, boat and "Steel Soldiers" lighting contest, caroling, and of course an appearance by Santa. At 6:30pm be sure to look out over the lake to see the gorgeous lighted Boat Parade, sponsored by Marina Del Sur. The event is also a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation with donation cans sponsored by the EB Rotary Club. Awards ceremony and Christmas party with a live band follows at the Elephant Butte Inn and Spa. Price:$5 park entry fee; Phone: (575)744-4708; Website
Historical Town of Chloride
Posted November 25, 2012
Harry Pye, an Englishman and prospector, was delivering freight for the U.S. Army in the late 1870s when he discovered silver float in a canyon. After completing his freighting contract, he and two other men returned to the area in 1879 to stake a claim. A tent city grew up nearby and became an established town. Originally named Pyetown, then Bromide, it became known as Chloride after the type of high-grade silver that was mined in the area. It was the center for all the mining activity in the area, known as Apache Mining district.
Historic Town of Winston
Posted November 23, 2012
Winston was founded in the early 1880s by miners who found Chloride "too rowdy." They moved 2 miles north, settling in Fairview. The town grew to about 600 people. In 1929, the town changed its name to Winston in honor of Frank H. Winston, a local miner, businessman and legislator. Winston flourished until the silver panic of 1893. Frank winston's old house still stands on Main Street, as do several other buildings he owned and built. Many other buildings were destroyed in a flood in the 1950s. The old schoolhouse, built in 1890, is visible to the east from Main Street. It is located on private land.
History of Sierra County, Part 4
Posted November 18, 2012
Following the construction of the Elephant Butte Dam in 1916, the town of Hot Springs grew around the hot mineral springs area that had been used for centuries. As knowledge of the waters' healing powers became more widely known, people journeyed here to take the mineral baths. The town continued to grow as a health and spa resort. A county-wide vote in 1936 moved the county seat from Hillsboro to Hot Springs. In 1950, Hot Springs changed its name to Truth or Consequences as part of a publicity stunt for the Truth or Consequences radio show produced by Ralph Edwards. With the increased popularity of Elephant Butte Lake, a state park was established in 1965. The community of Elephant Butte grew along the Lake and was incorporated n 1998. The city offers a wide variety of support services to thousands of recreational visitors annually. This photo is circa 1920s of the Dam.
History of Sierra County, Part 3
Posted November 8, 2012
Veterans Day Weekend
Posted November 7, 2012
What's Happening in Sierra County this Week
Posted November 5, 2012
SATURDAY: 11/10/2012Second Saturday Art Hop - November6-9pm, Downtown Truth or ConsequencesGalleries, studios, shops and restaurants are open late on the 2nd Saturday of every month. Check the MainStreet Truth or Consequences website for info on opening exhibits and special events.Cost: free.Contact: MainStreet Truth or Consequences, promotions@torcmainstreet.org.http://www.torcmainstreet.org/events/monthly-events/art-hop
11/10/2012
T or C Trash Bash11am-8pm, Downtown Truth or Consequences, various locationsTBA's first annual Trash Bash celebrates fun and fanciful ways to reduce, reuse and recycle to minimize our trash. Highlights include a silent auction for locally made "recycled art", hands-on workshops to create treasures out of trash and an inspirational fashion show featuring repurposed items. "Bag It", an award-winning film that examines the impact of plastic bags, will be shown. A presentation & guided discussion will explore simple steps for protecting our environment.Cost: $5 donation.Contact: The Bountiful Alliance, Joey Perry, 575-894-9421, jpintorc@yahoo.com.
11/10/2012
10th Annual Run for the Wall9am-4:30pm, Veterans Memorial Park, 996 S. Broadway, Truth or ConsequencesCome support the Truth or Consequences Veterans' Memorial Park & Museum during this fun and festive event, which includes vendors, games, a car show, food, music, the tug-of-war Tug-off, a Bike Run and Rodeo - a guaranteed good time! Tug-a-war is at 3pm.Cost: free.Contact: Veterans Memorial Park, Bobby Allen, 575-740-7111.http://www.torcveteransmemorial.com/
11/10/2012
16th Annual Veterans' Day Car Show9am-3pm, New Mexico State Veterans Home, 992 South Broadway, Truth or ConsequencesTrophy Plaques and Dash Plaques will be awarded for People's Choice and Judge's Picks. Judging starts @ 11:30 / door prizes begin @ 1:00 PM / awards start @ 2:00 PM. Vehicle Entry Fee: $30. Concession Stand on Site. Swap Meet Area Available! (10' x 10' space $25.00) Free for spectators - hosted by New Mexico State Veterans Home.Contact: New Mexico State Veterans' home, Sam Shannon, 575-894-4222, sam.shannon@state.nm.us.http://www.nmstateveteranshome.org
11/10/2012 - 11/11/2012
Commodore's Cup10am-5pm, Elephant Butte LakeSailboat race/regatta. Please contact the sponsor for information.Contact: Rio Grande Yacht Club, Jan Zink, 575-313-0392.
11/10/2012
Senior Center Arts & Crafts Show9am-2pm, Lee Belle Johnson Senior Recreation Center 301 Foch, Truth or ConsequencesContact SJOA for information.Contact: Sierra Joint Office on Aging, 575-894-6641.
11/10/2012 Bag It
11am-1pm, El Cortez Theater, 415 Main St, Truth or ConsequencesAmericans use 60,000 plastic bags every 5 minutes--single-use dispolable bags we mindlessly throw away. But where is "away?" Where do the bags & other plastics end up, and at what cost to our environment, marine life and human health? Bag It follows Jeb, an average American, as he asks simple questions: Are plastic bags really necessary? What are they made from? What happens after they are discarded? Jeb learns plastics permeate modern society, and tells us what can we do about it. Today.Cost: $5.00 donation .Contact: The Bountiful Alliance, Joey Perry, 575 894-9421.
11/10/2012
Upcycled Babywearing4pm-4:30pmJessica will teach parents of babies and toddlers how to safely carry their child using common household items. Babywearing allows the parent and child to bond while still allowing mom or dad to move freely and can be done using upcycled materials such as sheets, towels, blankets, tablecloths, shawls and scarves.Contact: Jessica Murphy, 575-635-1690, jessica.d.griffin@gmail.com.http://themommydialogues.com
11/10/2012
Murder Mystery Dinner6pm, VFW 1389, Hwy 195, Elephant ButteRoast Beef Dinner with all the trimmings. Mysteries of 6 person and 8 person available.Cost: donation; please call.Contact: VFW 1389, Elephant Butte, 575-744-5787.
SUNDAY
11/11/20122nd Sunday Poetry Reading1pm, Black Cat Books and Coffee, 128 Broadway, T or CRead or listen on the 2nd Sunday of every month.Cost: free.Contact: Black Cat Books and Coffee, Rhonda Brittan, 575-894-7070.
11/11/2012
Rising River String Band3-5pm, Hillsboro Community Center, Elenora Street, HillsboroTom Naples, Greg Renfro, and Jean Eisenhower of Silver City make up the Rising River String Band. They will sing Woody Guthrie songs and celebrate people's resilience during the Great Depression with little known ballads, blues, rags, and old-timey gospel from that time.Cost: $5 donation.Contact: Hillsboro Community Center, Max Yeh, 575-895-3300, maxyeh@windstream.net.http://www.sierracountyevents.com/flyer/RisingRiverPoster.pdf
History of Sierra County, Part 2
Posted November 4, 2012
For hundreds of years native Americans freely roamed Sierra County, hunting, fishing and gathering food. They congregated at the hot mineral springs along the Rio Grande, bathing and socializing, and caring for their wounds and ailments. In 1598, Juan de Onate moved northward through New Mexico establishing El Camino Real (the Royal Road) including the area known as Jornada del Muerto (Journey of the Dead Man). This road was used until the advent of the railroad in the 1880s, following much the same pathway. Onate's expedition brough Spanish settlers to the area who established farms along creeks and rivers. They also built small villages throughout the area, including Monticello, Las Placitas, Cuchillo, and Las Palomas.
History of Sierra County
Posted November 3, 2012
Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway
Posted October 29, 2012
Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway was formally designated by the State of New Mexico in 1995. It achieved National designation in 2005. It follows NM Hwy 187 south of Williamsburg to NM Hwy 152, then across the Black Range through Hillsboro and
