Steins, NM

Steins was established in 1880 as a settlement along the Southern Pacific Railroad, initially as a water stop for steam locomotives, which could only travel 10-15 miles before a re-supply of water was needed. Ironically, Steins had no natural source of water, so all water had to be brought in by train. In 1905 a rock-crushing plant was built nearby to produce track ballast for the railroad. By the 1910 census Steins had its peak population of some 1,300 people.

In 1944, toward the end of World War II, the railway ceased operations at the Steins quarry and gave notice it would no longer subsidize water deliveries. And by then steam locomotives had mostly been replaced by diesel. The railway offered the inhabitants of Steins free transport elsewhere with what they could carry; most of the population accepted this offer, leaving their houses and many of their possessions behind. The Post Office in town closed at that time. Over time Steins was completely abandoned.

Part of old Steins burned down, but a large section remained, and is now privately owned. It is unusual in the old West ghost towns in having been a railroad rather than a mining town.

Photos taken June 28, 2013.