Yet another Alamogordo thread (Ruidoso, Chimayo: school, live, military)

[joqua]

Originally Posted by elkotronics

PPS. Last thought, I promise: a truly fascinating history of Alamo and surroundings, read the excellent book "Tularosa: Last of the Frontier West" by C L Sonnichsen.

Thank you for this suggestion, ysrebob, sounds like it would be a fascinating read for anyone that has lived in Alamogordo or Tularosa or La Luz, or, anyone that is contemplating moving to any of those towns!

It's been a long time since I actually read the book, but from what I recall it had less to do with the history of Tularosa and Alamogordo than with notorious individuals living in the region between Lincoln and Las Cruces in the late 19th century. It was mostly about the troubles between parties involved in the Lincoln County War and it's offshoots, including the "disappearance" of attorney Albert Fall and his son - an unsolved mystery that still garners periodic interest today.

[elkotronics]

It's been a long time since I actually read the book, but from what I recall it had less to do with the history of Tularosa and Alamogordo than with notorious individuals living in the region between Lincoln and Las Cruces in the late 19th century. It was mostly about the troubles between parties involved in the Lincoln County War and it's offshoots, including the "disappearance" of attorney Albert Fall and his son - an unsolved mystery that still garners periodic interest today.

I wonder if Billy the Kid is in the book?

[B3Fan]

I've read the C L Sonnichsen book and it's fantastic. I just finished the 3 book fiction series based in The Tularosa Basin written by Michael McGarrity. Hard Country, Back Lands and The Last Ranch are great relaxing reads. It's great fun to be able to visualize what it was like back in those days. Timeline of the 3 books runs roughly from 1888 thru 1968.

Anyone have any other leads on more books about the area historical or fiction?

[Rich Cabeza]

Originally Posted by Oregon Bill

Bob, thanks for suggesting that book. I'll order a copy.

Bill, if you can't find a copy let me know.

[threecats407]

Originally Posted by B3Fan

I've read the C L Sonnichsen book and it's fantastic. I just finished the 3 book fiction series based in The Tularosa Basin written by Michael McGarrity. Hard Country, Back Lands and The Last Ranch are great relaxing reads. It's great fun to be able to visualize what it was like back in those days. Timeline of the 3 books runs roughly from 1888 thru 1968.

Anyone have any other leads on more books about the area historical or fiction?

Read those three myself. I have several NM favorites but none to suggest on that area.

[Oregon Bill]

Thanks Rich. Have one on the way from Amazon.

[elkotronics]

Thanks Rich. Have one on the way from Amazon.

Hey, Oregon Bill, let us know on this thread how you like one of the books. Sounds like you'll love it since you're looking in to relocating to Alamogordo.

[jackbus]

Originally Posted by ysrebob

Alamo is a good little town, very affordable and safe. Limited shopping but who cares. I really enjoyed our two years there, and loved having the high mountain forests so close by.

It is, however, a one-industry town (Holloman Air Force Base). Much of the town is USAF active duty, dependants, and retirees. Thus:
1. The military has its own culture and norms, subtly but very definitely apart from the civilian world; a non-mil person could feel a bit isolated;
2. After decades of lavish US defense budgets (vs the rest of the world) this might seem like a remote possibility, but if the Air Force ever really had to pull in its horns, budget-wise, Holloman AFB could conceivably get mothballed... there's little that's crucial or irreplaceable about it from an operations point if view. That would decimate Alamogordo.

That said, I would happily move there again.

I doubt it. Cannon AFB in Clovis would get shut down before Hollomon. Hollomon's importance has a lot to do with the airspace over WSMR than the base itself. White Sands Missile Range is irreplaceable. They do move operations from one place to another when another BRAC happens.

[joqua]

Tularosa Basin Historical Society museum is a must visit for anyone with an interest in the history of the area.

http://www.alamogordohistory.com/

Here is an article today referring to the museum located in Alamogordo
that recently opened at a new location; in a historically important building:

historical-potpourri-tularosa-basin-museum-history-gives-glimpse-days-gone by

TBMH exhibits focus on the history of the Tularosa Basin, including Alamogordo, Tularosa, Ruidoso, La Luz, Cloudcroft and other Sacramento communities. The many exhibits cover the railroad, the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and other schools in the area, the military community, White Sands Monument, La Luz pottery, ranching, scouting, early Native American, ancient past and so much more.

[Oregon Bill]

Elko, I will take the book with me when I fly down to ELP for a look at Alamo real estate first week in September. I enjoy reading a book describing the history of a place I am visiting.
Reading Robert Utley's "Billy the Kid: A Short and Violent Life" while visiting Lincoln County many years ago made that country come alive.
Joqua, seeing the TBHS museum will be a priority.