Carrizozo, New Mexico and White Oak, New Mexico (April 2010)

One day, we drove through the town of Carrizozo, New Mexico. In the early, 1900's it was a railroad and ranching town. The invention of the automobile and the decline of the railroad is what brought prosperity to an end in Carrizozo. People who depended on the railroad for transportation, moving cattle, and owned shops near the train station were now able to conduct business in the bigger cities like Alamogordo, Albuquerque and Las Cruces via the automobile. What brought this town into existence was eventually it's demise.
Carrizozo is not the only small town that had this problem. It happened to towns all across New Mexico and throughout the USA.
In recent years, people have begun to come back to small towns because of the slower life style, the peaceful atmosphere, and the friendly people they meet. Carrizozo is one such town.

We meet a very friendly lady named Pia at the Malkerson Modern Gallery on 12th Street.
She happily showed us her studio and allowed Sierra to take photos.
It was from her that we learned the significance of the burrows decorated and placed all over the town. Pia told us that we could stop by the Visitor's Center and obtain a map of the town that offered a walking tour and description of the homes and buildings in the area. She was very helpful and an interesting lady to meet and we enjoyed spending a little time getting acquainted.
After spending time in Carrizozo, I can see how this town was once a happening place and I can see the charm that is inviting people to return.

Each year, local artist get a cast of the burrow sent from Mexico. The artist chooses how to decorate the burrow according to their own inspiration. Then, the town holds an auction to auction off the burrows. The proceeds go to the artist and any profits are then donated to the local veterinarians. The owner of the burrow can display it in the town, in a business, or at their home. The burrows sell for $500.00 and up.

Burrows are on sale year around at Gallery 408.

 The burrows are placed on the street, on top of buildings,

 and on walls.

This is the burrow that Pia sculpted. She added a person behind her burrow.

As we were leaving town, we spotted this building.

When we left Carrizozo, we traveled 12 miles to White Oaks, New Mexico.

Gold was discovered in this town in 1879. People from all over came to seek their fortunes in White Oak. White Oak's mines were said to be the deepest, driest, and purest mine in the USA. The gold was 90% pure and it was over 1300 feet down before water was reached.

Evidence left behind from one of the gold mines.

"No Scum Allowed - Saloon"

(Picture taken from van)

The town holds "Gold Rush Days" the last weekend in May/the first weekend of June. It would be a neat place to visit during the celebration but not much to see or do when we visited.