Gray
Capitan
Encinoso
Richardson
Spindle
Coalora

Capitan
Ann Earling and Oleta V. Cloud
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Capitan, New Mexico is located in the mountainous region of Lincoln County, 70 miles west of Roswell and 20 miles east of Carrizozo on Highway 380, at an elevation of 6,350.

Before Capitan acquired its name in 1900, the town was called Gray, so named for Seaborn T. Gray who owned most of the land in the area, and who also was the only postmaster while the town was under the name of Gray. He served from August 20, 1894, when the post office was first established, until October 11, 1900, when the town of Gray was renamed Capitan.

About 1899 to the north and west of Capitan one and one half miles was the bustling coal mining town of Coalora. The town started with tents for living quarters and one tent was used for a school. Later houses were built for the Phelps Dodge Coal Company who at that time operated the coal mines. About a year later the railroad was built to Capitan and used principally to haul coal to Carrizozo, New Mexico. Many runs were made both day and night moving coal from several mines in and around Coalora. Because of a greater quantity of coal owned by Phelps Dodge elsewhere, the Coalora mines were closed and most of the buildings were moved to Dawson, New Mexico. A few buildings that were closed about 1905 still stand. The office was discontinued July 31, 1905.

The records show, that there were three post offices north of Capitan Mountains, Encinoso, Richardson and Spindle. Encinoso was established on May 25, 1915 and discontinued on March 31, 1920, with Postmasters Samuel Farmer, Rumaldo A. Dunn and Martiniano Lucero serving during that period. The Richardson office was established on April 3, 1895 and discontinued on October 31, 1912, with there postmasters serving: Andres m. Richardson, Joshua H. Steele, Henry A. Scott, Oliver  B. McKissick, Lloyd Taylor and Samuel G. Bearn. The Spindle office was established on February 13, 1917 and discontinued April 15, 1920, with the following postmasters serving: Eliza M. Spindle, David E. Spindle, John J. Mills and J. P. Pendergrass.

Upon the discontinuance of these three offices north of the Capitan Mountains, this area was and is now being served be a Star Route from Capitan office.

For many years the only conveyance for carrying mail was horse drawn buggies and hacks and not until 1912 or 1913 was any mail transported to the Capitan office by automobile.

Not always was the post office housed in a building of its own. Many times patrons have been able to get their mail and buy their goods and groceries in the same building. The had shopping centers in the early days, too!

At present the Capitan Post Office serves a population of nearly 700, besides the patrons on two Star Routes. The two Star routes run from Capitan to Alto Post Office and from Capitan to Pine Lodge.

The town of Capitan is the home of "Smokey the Bear", the national symbol of Forest Fire Prevention and it is hoped that some day a commemorative stamp will be issued honoring "Smokey".

In 1960 a log museum was built by the people of Capitan as a memorial to Smokey the Bear, and opened to the public. There is no admission charge to the museum on Highway 380 in the heart of Capitan. It is supported by free will donations and the sale of Smokey products. Plans are now being made for a Smokey the Bear Historical State Park which will include a memorial of Smokey when he is laid to rest by the side of the museum.

 In January of 1963 the Post office was moved from the old site to a new building located on the east end of the Cummins shopping center. The dedication was held on March 3, 1963, with Oleta V. Cloud as Postmaster. Oleta died on June 8, 1963. Ann A. Earling was appointed Clerk-in-charge until Dixie Sparks was appointed Acting Postmaster August 7, 1963 and served through may 15, 1964. Frances (Gardenhire) Shaw was sworn in as Postmaster May 15, 1964 and served until she retired on September 27. 1974. Maxine Wright served in as Postmaster on December 7, 1974 and remains at present the Postmaster of Capitan, New Mexico 88316.

Postmasters Serving Capitan Office:

Bert Rowland Oct. 11, 1900 Oleta V. Cloud may 12, 1961
Henry S. Wallace Dec. 27, 1901 (Appointed Acting Postmaster)
John Ritter, Mar. 17, 1903
Geo. A. Titsworth Aug. 17, 1904 Postmasters Serving Coalora Office:
Clara J. Larson Apr. 18, 1920 Geo. F. Graves June 15, 1903
Geo. A. Titsworth Feb. 10, 1929 Bernardo A. Romero Sept. 21, 1903
Helen M. Sears Oct. 9, 1933 Tennessee C. Hill Mar. 24. 1904
James A. Kent Feb. 28, 1947 Adolph Becker April 24, 1905
(Appointed Acting Postmaster)

Transcribed by C. W. Barnum ©2005