White Oaks

(White Oaks NM)
While in Arizona, I met someone that had just moved there from White Oaks. Their description piqued my interest for a visit. Located about 12 miles north of Carrizozo, it sprang up when gold was found in 1879. But, faded away after they refused a rail line through town.

Brick building

White Oaks – No Scum Allowed Saloon

People still live there, but now it’s considered a ghost town. No business there except for the No Scum Allowed Saloon, which catered to bikers and was only open weekends and holidays. Outside of town was the Cedarvale Cemetery where past residents and the first governor of New Mexico rest.

Brick storefronts

Brown Mercantile

Brick building

White Oaks School

The mercantile building served several shops over the years and some items remain inside. A substantial school was built and taught the kids from 1895-1947. It now serves as a museum open May-October on weekends. A miner’s house also serves as a small museum with contents typical of the era.

Frame house

Miner’s Home

Old kitchen with wood stove

Kitchen inside miner’s house

Searched for a dispersed camp in the mountains behind the town; but, couldn’t find anything. So, I returned to Snowy River Cave NCA where I had previously located a sweet boondock camp with wildflowers. It had a view of Sierra Blanca Peak to the south, the Capitan Mountains to the north, and good internet.

Flowers, trees, mountains

Camp with wildflowers and mountains

Camp: Snowy River Cave NCA – BLM boondock
Scene: Buildings, saloon, museum, mountains

2 Responses to White Oaks

  1. Jan Mains--billandjanrvingtheusa.blogspot.com May 29, 2015 at 6:36 pm #

    We are in Alamogordo now and are headed north. We are thinking of staying at the state park–Valley of Fire. We want to visit Fort Stanton. Thanks for sharing.

    • Pleinguy May 29, 2015 at 6:53 pm #

      Valley of Fires would be a good place to camp. It is BLM not a state park. There is also a small BLM camp just as you turn onto the road going to Fort Stanton. Have fun!

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