![]() ![]() Like so many other boom towns, Los Cerrillos played out when the minerals were gone. In no town, the population of Los Cerillos had grown to over 2,000 souls who supported four hotels, 21 saloons, and numerous other businesses. One of the oldest historically documented mining districts in the United States, this almost “ghost town” is a must-stop along your journey of the Turquoise Trail.īeginning with Native American miners followed by the Spaniards, the area boomed in the 1880s when gold, silver, and lead mines began to operate in the area. Today this unique and picturesque small town is a haven for day-trippers and travelers along the historic Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway, as they stop to browse its many shops, cafes, and bed & breakfast inns.īefore long, you will arrive at Los Cerrillos, best known for its beautiful blue-green turquoise mined in the Cerrillos Hills as early as 900 A.D. However, by the early 1970s, a number of artists, craftsmen, and other individuals wanting to make their homes in the mountains began to move into the area and Madrid was reborn. In 1954, the Albuquerque and Cerrillos Coal Company ceased to operate and almost all of its residents moved away. The town of Madrid collapsed along with the coal market. When natural gas began to be the more popular fuel for home heating, the demand for coal began to fall. It was during the coal mining peak, that Madrid boasted more than 3,000 residents and produced some 250,000 tons of coal a year.īut the boom was not to last for Madrid. ![]() Old Company House, Madrid, New Mexico by Kathy Alexander. On this highway, visitors can ride the Sandia Peak Tramway and visit the Tinkertown Museum, which provides an animated miniature Old West town, along with circus relics and thousands of hand-carved figures. Another Scenic Byway also presents itself here – the Sandia Crest Highway, just 13 short miles on NM 536, which winds through the Cibola National Forest and provides amazing scenic views. Here, you will find all manner of outdoor activities from skiing at the Sandia Peak Ski Area, to hiking, horseback riding, climbing and more. Just up the road, you will arrive at Sandia Park. This small, mostly residential community also provides a number of shops and restaurants for the Turquoise Trail visitor. ![]() This small town was once one of the many communities on old Route 66 and is also home to the world’s longest tramway, where visitors can ride almost three miles to see spectacular views of the Sandia Crest Highway, Albuquerque, and the Cibola National Forest.ĭuring the summer and into the fall, from May through October, Tijeras also offers a juried arts and crafts market at 488 E Highway 66, that provides not only the work of some of New Mexico’s finest artisans, but also live music, and a beautiful scenic setting.įrom Tijeras, the route follows NM-14, through Cedar Crest, which is the home of the Museum of Archaeology and Material Culture, which explores the 12,000-year story of our Native American History. Today the 200-room pueblo is a grass-covered mound and a frequent site of archeological excavations. This canyon community eventually housed about 400 Indians however major droughts drove them out. Also here, is the site of the Tijeras Pueblo Ruin, formed about 1300 A.D. The forest spans three states and almost 2 million acres. In Tijeras is one of the Cibola National Forest’s Visitor Centers, which provides numerous brochures and information about the area. The scenic byway begins in Tijeras about 16 miles east of Albuquerque. Though this hilly highway has seen much recent growth, it still maintains a historic view of the Old West, along with its galleries, restaurants, and museums. The beautiful blue-green turquoise was first mined by the early Pueblo people as early as 900 A.D. ![]() Named for the rich turquoise deposits found near its northern end, the Turquoise Trail was used for centuries by Native Americans and Spanish explorers before miners began to flood the area in the late 1800’s in search of the hills’ many rich minerals. Linking New Mexico’s two most major cities – Santa Fe and Albuquerque, the 65-mile national scenic byway is often called the back road between the two cities. This often forgotten road is filled with history, scenic views, ghost towns, a National Forest, a ski resort, art galleries, shops, museums, and more. Nestled in the hills and valleys of central New Mexico is one of the state’s most interesting and scenic drives – the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway. Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway map courtesy Turquoise Trail Association. ![]()
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