New Mexico Ghost Towns
Analla through White Oaks in Lincoln County
Return to New Mexico Ghost Town Index
Some information was based on the book The Place Names of NM, by Robert Julyan.
Why did the Ghost Towns of New Mexico disappear? Several forces caused the towns to vanish such as mines going broke, local land owners being bought out,
the railroad moving its facilities, and the widespread use of the automobiles which allowed people to travel to larger towns for supplies.  

Town County Submitter / Volunteer
Analla or Tinnie Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Ancho Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Angus Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Arabella or Las Tablas Lincoln  C. W. Barnum
Bogle Lincoln  C. W. Barnum
Bonito City Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Coyote Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Coalora Lincoln  C. W. Barnum
Deseo Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Encinoso Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Estey City Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Gray Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Holloway Lincoln C. W. Barnum 
Hurlburt Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Jicarilla Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Kennedy Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Lincoln Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Lon Lincoln  C. W. Barnum
Meek Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Pajarito Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Parsons Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Richardson Lincoln C. W. Barnum
Spindle Lincoln C. W. Barnum
White Oaks Lincoln C. W. Barnum

Analla or Tinnie: This is a settlement on US 380 four miles east of Hondo. It had a post office from 1903 until 1909 as Analla. Today it is known as Tinnie. It was named for Jose Analla who first settled the area.  It is mostly a ranching community. It is near the large caves or Las Cuevas. It was sometimes referred to as Cuba.

The Tinnie post office was established April 27, 1903 with Isidro Annalla as postmaster until November 12, when Pedro Annalla became postmaster. He remained only two months and Sallie A. Murray took the office and remained until the Ramonds bought the store from the Anallas in 1906. The Ramonds built the Present Tinnie Mercantile from adobes made on the place.

The most of the people at that time were Spanish Americans but the Ramonds had a little blond daughter, named Tinnie. The people thought she was beautiful and got Mrs. Ramond to change the name of the post office to Tinnie in honor of the little girl. Mrs. Ramond told them that a petition would have to be sent to Washington. A petition was circulated and nearly everyone signed it. The name was then changed to Tinnie April 5, 109. Mrs. Ramond remained postmaster until April 7, 1914 when Henry D. Murray was appointed. He was followed by Andrew N. Coward. On Jan. 6, 1923 Mrs. Ramond again became postmaster and with the exception of a short period when Walter B. Rose was the postmaster, April 1, 1929 to December 26, 1932. She continued until her retirement on July 31, 1954, a total period of nearly fifty years. Her daughter, Virginia Guest took the office and served until Arthur Clements was appointed Dec. 12, 1959.

Robert O. Anderson of Roswell bought the building in 1959 and decided to preserve the old country store. He spent several hundred thousand dollars, adding a porch all around the building, a tower and a pavilion besides putting in the Silver Dollar bar and a steak house. Many of the old things were in the place but a lot more were gathered from as far away as San Francisco by John Meigs, an artist who lives at San Patricio. Mr. Meigs was commissioned by Mr. Anderson to plan and oversee the building.

Arthur Clements retired May 31, 1971 and his daughter, Fannette McKinney, became office in charge at that time and appointed postmaster Dec. 9th, 1972. February 156h, 1975 the post office was moved to its present site where Fannette has her fountain and gift shop, too.

Isidro L. Analla Apr. 27, 1903 Walter Rose Feb. 9, 1932
Pedro N. Analla Nov 12, 1903 Arthur Clements Dec. 12, 1959
Sallie A. Murry Jan. 8, 1904 Fannette McKinney Dec. 9, 1972
Oney Ramond April 5, 1909 Fannette is the daughter of Arthur Clements.

Submit photos here.

Ancho: About the turn of the century a few farsighted men came to the fertile Ancho valley of Lincoln County and seeing possibilities in the gypsum hills nearby filed on mining claims. They organized a company and called it "Gypsum Products Company". The first Postmaster, Frank J. Bush, opened the Post Office in a frame house near the plaster mill on June 12, 1902. Finished products of the mill were gypsum and cinder block and these materials were used to build a company store and houses for company employees. When the store was completed the Post Office was moved into one corner.
See full story here: Submit photos here.

Angus: A small community of placer mines and ranches in northern Lincoln County petitioned the Post Office department in 1892 for an office to be named for the surrounding mountains. On December of that year Jicarilla was established with Jacob Weisher as the first Postmaster. The office continued only to be reestablished a little later and again abolished. Though the community is still indicated on state maps it no longer has a post office and the people of the area are served by a star route. Today, Angus has a beautiful cemetery, and Angus is the home of Angus Church of the Nazarene and summer camp. Submit photos here.

Arabella or Las Tablas: The little village of Arabela is nestled at the very eastern tip of the Capitan Mountain. For many years the community was known as "Los Palos" or "the sticks". Many of the older residents still refer to Arabella as Los Palos. Legend has it that the settlement became Arabela when a lady took care of the mail whose given name was Arabela.

Andrew M. Richardson was the first postmaster. He was appointed on February 15, 1901. He has many descendants still living in the area, though none seem to remember anything of note about the post office. The next postmaster was Leopoldo Pacheco, who was appointed on March 14, 1907 and continued as postmaster until the office discontinued on April 30, 1928. The Hondo, N. Mex. post office acquired the office equipment in January 1938 and used it for several years. The mail is now delivered by carried from Tinnie, New Mexico. Submit photos here.

Bogle: Hulburt post office was established October 6, 1908 at what was then known as the Coyote Pump station, east of Carrizozo on the Southern pacific railroad. The office was named for F. Hurlburt, a Southern Pacific pumper, who became its first Postmaster. Martin G. Lyons succeeded Hurlburt and served until the office was abolished march 31, 1915.  Submit photos here.

Bonito City: Bonito City, Lincoln County, was a silver mining town about 1880, was located in the widest part of Bonito Canyon, the site of which is now covered by bonito Lake. When Chas. Metcalfe was appointed postmaster August 24, 1882 its population as around 500 inhabitants. Lewis W. Bourne became postmaster February 12, 1894 and was agent grandfather of Mrs. Blye Skinner Cox who still lives at Nogal. The incident most remembered about the town was the tragic Mayberry murder there. The entire family was wiped out with the exception of one daughter. The office was discontinued January 31, 1911 and the mail was sent to Parsons.


General Store. Bonito City, Lincoln County.
Only known photograph of Bonito City, now under water. 
Photograph copyright of Johnson Stearns Submit photos here.

Coyote: Lincoln County = This old RR station is twelve miles north of Carrizozo. It had a post office from 1908 until 1894. It was originally called Hurlbert from the water pumping facility. It was later called Bogal. The RR still has a siding here named Coyote. Submit photos here.
Coyote: Rio Arriba =  This settlement is twenty-two miles west of Abiquie It has had a post office since 1915.  Submit photos here.
Coyote: Sandoval County = This settlement is in the southeast corner of Sandoval County eight miles southeast of San Felipe. Do not confuse this town with Hagen which is three miles to the southeast.  This town died by 1924.

Coalora: 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. Submit photos here.

Deseo: This little community was in the Paradise Valley twelve miles north of Capitan. It had a post office from 1916 until 1918. Deseo means desire, which was given to the settlement by Miss Sarah Aguayo. Submit photos here.

Encinoso: A small house exists here today. Encinoso Cemetery, a.k.a. Dave Hill Cemetery is located here. This area had a post office from 1915 until 1920. Submit photos here.

Estey City: This area has a colorful history. Estey City sprang up in 1900 because of mining. It had a post office until 1910. It is thirty seven miles southwest of Carrizozo and a few miles west of Oscuro which is also a ghost town. Estey City was important because was the at the spot where the Mal Pais lava flow is at its narrowest. Early travelers used this passage to get to Socorro. It was also a favorite hide out for the Greer Gang and various outlaws including William Nelson "Bill" Mitchell, alias Baldy Russell, John King and John Davis. This area is now within the White Sands Missile Range and is as dead as its old outlaws. See photos here . Submit photos here.

Gray: 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. Submit photos here.

Holloway: This area was near Corona in northern Lincoln County. It had a post office from 1908 until 1915. It is referred to as Gallinas by locals, not Holloway.  more Submit photos here.

Hurlburt: This old RR station is twelve miles north of Carrizozo. It had a post office from 1908 until 1894. It was originally called Hurlbert from the water pumping facility. It was later called Bogal. The RR still has a siding here named Coyote. Submit photos here.

Jicarilla: A small community of placer mines and ranches in northern Lincoln County petitioned the Post Office department in 1892 for an office to be named for the surrounding mountains. On December of that year Jicarilla was established with Jacob Weisher as the first Postmaster. The office continued only to be reestablished a little later and again abolished. Though the community is still indicated on state maps it no longer has a post office and the people of the area are served by a star route. Submit photos here.

Kennedy: This station is a mystery. A post office existed in Lincoln County called Kennedy from 1906 until 1918. Post masters were: Silas E. Kennedy June 2, 1888; George W. B Wood Nov. 13, 1889. Discontinued Feb. 6, 1890. This post office may have been operated out of a home and hence no record. The mail went to Lower Penasco after 1890. Submit photos here.

Lincoln: Lincoln, of Lincoln County, is known for the back shooting murderer Billy The Kid. The NM Highway Department posts signs on all highways entering Lincoln County which say Lincoln County is Billy The Kid Country. This is a misguided promotion of a criminal to attract tourists. The signs would better server if they read Lincoln County is Smoky Bear Country. Lincoln is not actually a Ghost town. It still exists today thanks to tourists. It has had a post office since 1873. Actually, Lincoln has much more history to it than Billy the Brat. The Spanish settled the area in 1849 or earlier. They named the place Placita del Rio Bonito. It has been called La Placita and Bonito over the years. In 1869, the name was officially changed to Lincoln to honor President Abraham Lincoln who was assassinated. Lincoln became the County Seat of the area even though New Mexico was not yet a state. The importance of Lincoln was it served as a base open up the vast area of Lincoln County. Lincoln County was at one time the largest County in America. The County seat was moved to Carrizozo in 1909 because of that growing railroad town. From 1878 to 1881, the Lincoln County War cratered myths and exaggerations about the participants, and that still attracts people to old Lincoln. Submit photos here.

Lon: This is an old settlement thirty miles southeast of Corona. It had a post office from 1934 until 1943. It used to be called Joneta. Submit photos here.

Meek: Meek is on the northeast side of the Capitan Mountains. It had a post office from 1904 until 1922. Submit photos here.

Pajarito: Several areas of New Mexico are called Pajarito. Supposedly an area was once called Pajarito in Lincoln County. No records of it exist. Submit photos here.

Parsons: Parsons has a rich history. It was once the play ground of wealthy Easterners who stayed in the Parson Hotel as they visited the mining properties they invested in.  It had a post office form 1888 until 1926. All the town vanished except one building after 1926. That building was the home of the Greer and Bragg families for some time. It later was converted into a bar and dance hall in the late 1960's and early 1970's. It mysteriously burned don in the 1970's. This author suspects a irritated patron had too much to drink and returned to the building and burned it to the ground. Submit photos here.

Richardson: 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.

Spindle: 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. Submit photos here.

Tinnie: See Analla above. Submit photos here.

White Oaks: This little city is too tough to die. It is twelve miles northeast of  Carrizozo on one of the roughest roads I ever travelled as a youngster. It had a post office 1880 until 1954. It was born after 1879 when gold was discovered. It w3as named for the White Oaks growing at a spring two miles away. This town could have easily become the County Seat of Lincoln County had the railroad built it tracks through this path to the north, but they took a more easterly path. Carrizozo became the County Seat instead and it struggles to this day to remain alive. Cedarvale Cemetery at White Oaks is now a Historical Cemetery. The first Statehood Governor is buried her as well as Civil War veterans on both sides of the Civil War. Submit photos here.