Explore Los Cerrillos New Mexico
THE CERRILLOS HILLS IN NORTH-CENTRAL New Mexico—a mere 20 miles from Santa Fe—is one of the oldest historically documented mining districts in the United States. Keres and Tano Puebloans from the nearby Rio Grande and Galisteo Basins began mining turquoise in 900 CE, which was used for medicinal and ritual purposes.
By the early 1300s, Pueblo potters from the central Río Grande area were mining galena (lead sulfide), which was the source of glaze paint used to decorate pottery. This ceased after 1700 when the Spanish inhabitants, who worked many of the mines in the Cerrillos Hills for their silver and lead content, cut off Puebloan access.
In early 1879, two intrepid miners from Leadville, Colorado discovered gold in the hills. The railroad arrived a year later. Before long, the area was overrun by miners and prospectors searching for gold, silver, lead, and turquoise. The town of Los Cerrillos, first established as a tent camp, sprung up virtually overnight.
By the end of 1880, there were several thousand prospectors, at least 21 saloons, five brothels, an opera house, and four hotels. More than 4,000 prospecting pits, holes and mine shafts were dug between 1879 and 1884. Regrettably, most of these did not produce sufficient minerals to generate a profit, and virtually none ended up having significant gold. After mineral production peaked in the mid-1880s, coal mining became the foundation of the area’s economy. Most mining operations ceased in the 1920s.
While not strictly a ghost town (there are several hundred locals in the area), Los Cerrillos “Spanish for “little hills” is a quiet and charming little town with tree-lined and dusty dirt streets, many original buildings and numerous sleeping dogs, providing a picturesque nostalgia of the old west.
THE RAILROAD CROSSING ARMS LOWER and the warning bells ring out, breaking the quiet of a village that has had neither a train stop nor a station for decades. Within seconds, an Amtrak train rushes across First Street in Cerrillos at a clip just fast enough to let you know it’s headed somewhere else. It continues a trek across northern New Mexico’s Galisteo Basin—next stop Lamy—along a route that connects Los Angeles to Chicago.
Living in Lamy for almost 6 weeks….well, I truly thought that was the wild, wild west but Cerrillos really reminds me of the wild wild west.…. back when cowboys hitched their stallions outside saloons and had showdowns at the strike of noon. When prairie dresses and railroads were the talk of the town and outlaw’s mugshots hung on WANTED posters near the local tavern!
Okay, so maybe my perception of the “wild west” may be a little warped by the way it’s portrayed in Hollywood movies. Regardless, when I traveled to this darling Western town, I could not help but feel like I was entering the setting of an old film.
EXPLORING CERRILLOS
Eat and Sip At the Black Bird Saloon . Step back in time as you enter through the crooked doors and onto the rickety wood floors of an 1880’s saloon. Highly recommend the Black Jack Ketchum Angus Burger….Gun-Powder Rub, Havarti Cheese, Onion, Cilantro, Bandit Sauce on Kaiser Roll. I will forever add cilantro to my burgers now!!! It’s plenty big and hearty to share along with some Crow's Nest Fries, Dill Pickled Green Beans, and Grilled Shishito Peppers. The Mixed Green Salad with Mead Vinaigrette is quite tasty too!
Sip on some exquisite local New Mexico beers too!!!!
And just FYI- the Cerrillos environs and the edifice which now houses the Black Bird Saloon have appeared in a number of movies including The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca , Young Guns, Young Guns II, and Vampires. Vampires??? It certainly doesn't take much to transform the Saloon into a credible old west movie backdrop.
Ride. Take a horseback tour of Cerrillos Hills State Park with the Broken Saddle Riding Company ! OPEN YEAR 'ROUND- The Broken Saddle Riding Company offers the best horseback riding available in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They ride through the scenic hills and high desert ranch from the historic mining town of Cerrillos, New Mexico. Rides include spectacular 360 views of all area mountain ranges. Trips can include the Madrid Overlook, La Bajada Overlook, Devil's Canyon, Crooked Hat Canyon, Elkins Canyon, Cash Entry Mine, Grand Central Silver Mine, Franklin Ridge and Miner's Trail. Riders of all skill levels will appreciate their smooth riding gaited horses. All of our horses are registered Missouri Foxtrotters and Tennessee Walkers. Able riders may trot, canter, or gallop.
Explore. Casa Grande Trading Post, Petting Zoo, and Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum displays turquoise, sells samples, and gives guided hiking tours of the Mount Chalchihuitl mine. The Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum is a collection that started as a way to preserve the history of this historic village. When the owners were walking around the town, they would see many antiques and artifacts of the Cerrillos area in people’s backyards. They had been discarded. They felt these treasures of a bygone era needed to be preserved and began to gather up these pieces to display in the family business as the mining museum.
Inside the Cerrillos Mining Museum
A visit to the Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum brings you to a private collection and display of tools, equipment, objects and artifacts used in daily life during the mineral mining era (prehistoric - 1880's - recent) of Cerrillos.
The museum is on the site of the old Palace Hotel where Thomas Edison stayed while working on gold experiments in the nearby mining district of old placers, and NM territorial governor Lew Wallace drafted his book Ben Hur. Rough riders were recruited from the cowboys here to fight in Cuba, following Teddy Roosevelt up San Juan hill.
The site for the Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum and Trading Post is packed with history.
Centuries ago, Native Americans mined this area for turquoise to use in trade and jewelry, some of which has been dated back to the 900's. They also mined lead which was hand ground for paint and pottery glaze. Spanish explorers discovered these ancient diggings and worked the mines during the 17th and 18th centuries. Anglo miners toiled until early 1900's, when most mines became exhausted and played out. Today, there are several private claims to this world famous Cerrillos turquoise.
The equipment and artifacts found here at the Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum include prehistoric tools, photographs, maps, rocks, mineral samples, dry washers, gold pans, miners' lamps and drills. The museums' windows are a colorful and intriguing collection of old medicine bottles, telegraph insulators and more.
Shop. Cerrillos Station has gourmet food items, books, garden tools, ladies’ accessories, and locally made pottery, jewelry, and art. Adore this beautifully restored historic building in the small village of Los Cerrillos. Browse the mercantile and the fine arts gallery for a collection of American and international gifts and art, Native American jewelry and pots, and many beautiful locally crafted products.
Cerrillos Station offers the community as well as travelers along the National Scenic Byway, a wonderful selection of gifts, greeting cards, groceries, and a farmer's market as well as a dance and yoga studio.
On warm summer days, patrons can sit in the shade in the courtyard listening to live music and enjoying delicious food made by Eva from the Santo Domingo Pueblo. In the winter, the gallery is transformed into a wonderland brimming with holiday gifts!
Discover: Cerrillos Hills, New Mexico's 35th State Park, is a year-round, day-use park located off the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway (State Highway 14) between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. You will cross paths with over 1,100 years of mining history here along the five miles of trails and enjoy spectacular views of the Sandia, Ortiz, Jemez, and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges. Park Elevation 5,900 – 6,100 ft
See St. Joseph's Church. This structure, St. Joseph's Catholic Church - Iglesia de San José, built in 1922 to replace the first church (1884), which was situated on land now occupied by the Pastor's residence. This edifice was constructed under the direction of Franciscan Father Hesse, its first pastor, and by a team of builders led by Frank Schmidt of Cerrillos. In 1939 Cerrillos became a Parish, with Father Rousseau the first priest. Fray Angélico Chávez was the 12th Franciscan to serve here, 1960-1964, and Father Donnen, who retired after 9 years of service in 2002, the last. St. Joseph's is presently under the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
Look into the neighborhood yard sales too!!!!! So fun to treasure hunt!
Enjoy your day here!!!!
