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The Turquoise Trail
New Mexico highway 14, which runs through the eastern
foothills of the Sandia Mountains, is the back country scenic route from
Albuquerque to Santa Fe. It is named for the turquoise for which New Mexican
jewelry is famous and which has been mined for centuries at Los Cerrillos,
one of the towns along the way. Cedar Crest and Tijeras have developed
in recent years as skiing has become popular in the Sandias.
Madrid is a former coal mining town which closed down
after World War II. In the 1950s, it became a ghost town and remained so
until it was partially restored by artists and craftspersons. Artists and artisans have
recently converted old buildings into studios and shops.
Today, Madrid is a small
art colony, a tourist stop and wide spot on the Turquoise Trail. |
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San Francisco Catholic Church and Cemetery, Golden,
New Mexico
In 1880, the gold mining town of Golden, New Mexico
had grown to the point that it got its own post office. By 1928, the mines
had run out, Golden had almost disappeared and the post office was closed.
The church was constructed in the early 1830's. A few
buildings are still standing today, and one
report says the post office has been reinstated, although I did not
see it on September 13, 1999, and the USPS does not list one today. |
| Photographer Unknown |
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No Pity Cafe
Madrid, New Mexico
Madrid was once known around the world for its
Christmas decorations
and festivities. At one time it had 50,000 Christmas lights and
an illuminated "City of Jerusalem." Cross
country airlines rerouted their flights over the town at night. And sometimes
traffic backed up over 25 miles to the state highway (now Interstate 25)
as people drove to Madrid to see the displays.
We had lunch here at the No Pity Cafe because I
could not resist the restaurant's name. |
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September
13, 1999 |
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Rest Rooms in Madrid
After lunch at the Ghost Town Kitchen, we asked
about rest rooms. They said they had none but they had an arrangement with
the Madrid Company Store across the road. Brian found them.
I bought a hat at Maya
Jones. The owner told me she got started by importing clothing
from Guatemala. She has obviously expanded her supply source. My hat came
from Bali, Indonesia. |
| September
13, 1999 |
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The Church in Cerrillos
Twenty three miles south of Santa Fe, on a dirt
road a few minutes from highway 14, is the
tiny town
of Los Cerrillos ("little hills"). Turquoise is still
mined there today, as it was in the days of the ancient
Anasazi. At its peak, Los Cerrillos allegedly had 21 saloons and
4 hotels. |
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September
13, 1999
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Elizabeth
Anne VanderPutten - Turquoise Trail
