Just like many other Western states, New Mexico is filled with both an incredible history of boomtowns and their ultimate outcome as ghost towns. A journey into New Mexico’s southwestern region showcases a number of old ghost towns, some slowly fading with time. Others, however, have managed to escape a complete demise. Little bits of these towns have survived with small businesses, historic restoration, and even just the outright grit of the few residents who refuse to leave.
One such example is Chloride, an isolated town with a mere 11 residents, essentially making this a ghost town.
Joaquim Dearaujo/Google
Chloride sits on a lonely road in what feels to be the middle of nowhere, about an hour west of Truth or Consequences.
Google Maps Traveling to the remnants of this little town is a quiet journey. You’ll see lonesome homes scattered and the road twists with the landscape. It is paved until you reach the last portions of the county road.
The town started as a silver mining community in 1879 and eventually sprung into a boomtown.
Larry Lamsa/Flickr According to the Pioneer Store Museum, Chloride reached boomtown status in 1881 when it accumulated three general stores, eight saloons, and a host of other permanent structures. A newspaper, The Black Range, was established the following year and the population peaked at 3,000 by 1890.
As is the story with other Western boomtowns, the good times didn’t last. In 1896, the price of silver dropped significantly. Mines closed, smelters stopped operating, and residents moved away to pursue more fruitful enterprises. The last business, The Pioneer Store, held on until it also closed in 1923.
These days, remnants of the town still stand.
Joaquim Dearaujo/Google
You’ll find old buildings that have escaped the ravages of time and some that have been slowly restored into something faithful to their former grandeur.
Mary-lyn Hopper/Google
The old Pioneer Store was restored and transformed into a museum.
Marietta Crane/Google
Inside, you’ll find details about the people who lived in Chloride during the town’s brief lifetime.
spleeger78/Google The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There is also the Chloride Bank Cafe, which serves hungry patrons from the restored bank building that dates to the 1880s.
Joaquim Dearaujo/Google It is open Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., serving burgers and some classic New Mexican dishes.
Chloride is located in southwestern New Mexico’s Sierra County, about 40 miles west of Truth and Consequences via Highway 52. You can find additional details about the town on the Sierra County website or the Pioneer Store Museum’s website.
Joaquim Dearaujo/Google
Google Maps
Traveling to the remnants of this little town is a quiet journey. You’ll see lonesome homes scattered and the road twists with the landscape. It is paved until you reach the last portions of the county road.
Larry Lamsa/Flickr
According to the Pioneer Store Museum, Chloride reached boomtown status in 1881 when it accumulated three general stores, eight saloons, and a host of other permanent structures. A newspaper, The Black Range, was established the following year and the population peaked at 3,000 by 1890.
As is the story with other Western boomtowns, the good times didn’t last. In 1896, the price of silver dropped significantly. Mines closed, smelters stopped operating, and residents moved away to pursue more fruitful enterprises. The last business, The Pioneer Store, held on until it also closed in 1923.
Mary-lyn Hopper/Google
Marietta Crane/Google
spleeger78/Google
The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It is open Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., serving burgers and some classic New Mexican dishes.
Looking to check out a ghost town in New Mexico’s southwestern stretches that is just a little bit creepy? You may enjoy reading about Mogollon, a former mining town near Silver City. Read more in The Ghost Town Hike To Take In New Mexico If You Dare.
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Address: Chloride, NM 87943, USAAddress: 300 Wall St Rd, Chloride, NM 87943, USAAddress: Wall St, Winston, NM 87943, USA
