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White Oaks In 1879, following the discovery of gold and
coal in the Jicarilla Mountains, White Oaks sprang into
existence from nothing. It was frequented by notable Old
West personalities, including Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and
Shotgun John Collins.
The town, at its peak, had a population of 2,000 people, reached by 1890. In 1882, with a population of 500, construction was completed on Starr's Opera House, and the town sported several saloons, general stores, a school, and a town hall. In 1884 Lyman Hood held the first church services in an actual church building, with those meetings taking place previously in the town hall. During this period, the town was frequently a haven for cattle rustlers and other outlaws.
By 1885, White Oaks was beginning to thrive. Several attorneys opened businesses there, and other professionals began to arrive in town, opening businesses. However, its continued existence was dependent on a railroad passing through it. Due to a dispute, this didn't happen, with the railroad instead running twelve miles to the west, through Carrizozo, New Mexico.
By the late 1890s the mines had dried up, and the population dwindled. By the early 1900s the town was a shadow of its previous self. It is now a ghost town, with several of the old buildings still standing today. Now the home to a small group of artists and craftsmen, annual events include the White Oaks Artists Studio Tour and Gold Rush Days, a rowdy celebration of the heritage of this unique community.
White Oaks Ghost Town
Miner's Home & Tool House Museum: historic house furnished
with turn-of-the-century items replicating family home life in the gold mining heydays This self-guided museum is open daily.
Open May thru September of by applointment 575-648-2995
The Brown Store has interesting unique and refurbished items as well as turn of the century candy, a few dry goods and music CDs by local artists.Call 585-648-4284 or 575-921-1886 for an appointment.
School House Museum: Built for $10,00 this imposing structure first held calsses in 1845. Closed as a school in 1947, it is now a museum full of historical pictures, artifacts, and a complete classroom.
Open summer weekends or by appointment.
Call Karen Mills at 575-648-2394. Ext 137
Also worth seeing: The Hoyle House, The Gumm House and
Cedarvale Cemetery.
The town, at its peak, had a population of 2,000 people, reached by 1890. In 1882, with a population of 500, construction was completed on Starr's Opera House, and the town sported several saloons, general stores, a school, and a town hall. In 1884 Lyman Hood held the first church services in an actual church building, with those meetings taking place previously in the town hall. During this period, the town was frequently a haven for cattle rustlers and other outlaws.
By 1885, White Oaks was beginning to thrive. Several attorneys opened businesses there, and other professionals began to arrive in town, opening businesses. However, its continued existence was dependent on a railroad passing through it. Due to a dispute, this didn't happen, with the railroad instead running twelve miles to the west, through Carrizozo, New Mexico.
By the late 1890s the mines had dried up, and the population dwindled. By the early 1900s the town was a shadow of its previous self. It is now a ghost town, with several of the old buildings still standing today. Now the home to a small group of artists and craftsmen, annual events include the White Oaks Artists Studio Tour and Gold Rush Days, a rowdy celebration of the heritage of this unique community.
White Oaks Ghost Town
Miner's Home & Tool House Museum: historic house furnished
with turn-of-the-century items replicating family home life in the gold mining heydays This self-guided museum is open daily.
Open May thru September of by applointment 575-648-2995
The Brown Store has interesting unique and refurbished items as well as turn of the century candy, a few dry goods and music CDs by local artists.Call 585-648-4284 or 575-921-1886 for an appointment.
School House Museum: Built for $10,00 this imposing structure first held calsses in 1845. Closed as a school in 1947, it is now a museum full of historical pictures, artifacts, and a complete classroom.
Open summer weekends or by appointment.
Call Karen Mills at 575-648-2394. Ext 137
Also worth seeing: The Hoyle House, The Gumm House and
Cedarvale Cemetery.
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• 2016 Major Events
##Monthly Events Calendar
• About the Chamber
##Membership Levels/Benefits
##Membership Application
##Contact the Chamber
• Relocation Guide
##Lincoln County Map
##Demographics/Realtors,
##Utilities & Services
##Out & About Day Trips
• Communities
##Carrizozo New Mexico
##Historic 12th St. Carrizozo
##Capitan New Mexico
##Smokey Bear's Story
##Smokey Bear's Scrapbook
##Corona New Mexico
##Hondo Valley New Mexico
##Lincoln New Mexico
##White Oaks New Mexico
• Featured News & Nods
White Oaks Farmers Market
Every Saturday thru Summer & Early Fall
Located on the grounds of the White Oaks Community Church (the set back buildings on your left as you are just entering White Oaks. In addition to fresh produce (including eggs), there will be baked goods, plant starters, yard sale goods, soap and other artisan crafts, gold panning (kids get to keep any gold they find) and free coffee, tea and snacks.
Every Saturday thru Summer & Early Fall
Located on the grounds of the White Oaks Community Church (the set back buildings on your left as you are just entering White Oaks. In addition to fresh produce (including eggs), there will be baked goods, plant starters, yard sale goods, soap and other artisan crafts, gold panning (kids get to keep any gold they find) and free coffee, tea and snacks.