Shakespeare, NM

Shakespeare Ghost Town is a national and NM state historic site. Until 1865, the town was called Mexican Spring (because there was water there) and served as a stop on the Butterfield stage line and an alternate stop on the San Antonio to San Diego mail line.

After the Civil War, the town was called Grant, in honor of General (and president) Ulysses S. Grant. In 1870, silver was discovered nearby and a group of California investors headed by Bank of California president William Ralston bought up most of the claims and re-named the town Ralston. 3,000 people flocked to the town. However, the silver ran out pretty quickly and people began to leave. So some from the investor group salted the area with diamonds and other precious stones to attract more investors. Eventually the fraud was discovered and the town emptied out by 1873.

In 1879, the famous English mining engineer William George Boyle bought up all the claims, re-started some of the mines, and re-named the town Shakespeare. The mines ran until the great depression of 1893, then re-opened in 1907 and ran until 1932. The town was purchased in 1935 by Frank and Rita Hill, who began the restoration process. Tours include stories and re-enactments, as well as a functioning blacksmith shop.

Photos taken June 22, 2013.