Lake Valley Ghost Town - A Lifetime In A Dying Town

A sprawling expanse of creosote bushes sways in the gentle breeze just outside the windows of the truck. The haggard tarmac stretches out before us, winding its way through left-behind places as we drive towards the small ghost town of Lake Valley.

Whole lives were lived out here, and it seems nowadays, just the sun, wind, and rain pays these sites any attention. Only the hearty and strong-willed survived.

A deep blue sky with thin clouds hang high over a home that was lived in for 90 years in Lake Valley Ghost Town

The places they laid their heads seem to have taken on that trait. The instinct to hold on and let their stories be told has a tight grip on this once-bustling settlement.

The homesteads and buildings which sit tranquil behind a wire fence have the most to say. There is a magnetism to them. You can feel in the air, like the eyes of a painting which follow you.

A mystery blankets the lands now, and you wonder why. What brought them and you out here?

It was one of the most significant silver strikes in the area that enticed the first inhabitants to this area—the Bridal Chamber Mine.

How It All Began

George W Lufkin and his partner owed the claim on which, in 1878, blacksmith John Leavitt discovered the motherload of all silver. A tunnel lined with pure silver became known as the Bridal-Chamber.

Black and White photo of the bridal chamber, section of a mine that has collapsed in Lake Valley Ghost Town — The Bridal-Chamber Mine

Whole towns sprung up with the hopes of riches providing a comfortable life, and Lake Valley was no different. The railroad came in 1884, and the township boomed to over 4,000 and included three churches, 12 saloons, two newspapers, a schoolhouse (built in 1904), stores, hotels, stamp mills, smelters and a post office.

Black and White image of people and donkeys outside the general store

2.5 million ounces of silver was extracted from the mine, one chunk being valued at $7,000. The silver was so pure it was transported to the mint un-smelted.

So What Happened?

With the silver panic of 1893, the town dwindled. A fire swept through a couple of years later, and the ore dried up, which was the final blow for most of the inhabitants.

The Post Office closed in 1954, and the last remaining resident passed away in 1994 after arriving in 1904, spending 90 years in the same home.

The Bureau Of Land Management took over the townsite and is slowly restoring what has refused to give up.

A classic 1930s style car sits rusting away on the ground surrounded by some creosote bushes

Fun Facts:

The first person to discover silver in the area, Lufkin, died penniless and is buried in the Lake Valley cemetery.
Originally the town was called Daly and was renamed because of the ancient lake beds nearby.

Our explore of lake valley ghost town

lake valley ghost town – in a nutshell

Address: 30–98 Lake Valley School Rd, Hillsboro, NM
Situated 48-mile drive along the Lake Valley Backcountry Byway
BLM land – restored schoolhouse, chapel others stabilised.

Self-guided walking tour – a brochure is available at the schoolhouse
Restroom and water located near the schoolhouse

Open 9 am – 4 pm Thursday to Monday Closed Tue/Wed
Admission is free – donations are welcome
There is a Caretaker on-site 24/7
The Mine is closed to the pubic