Information about Lincoln County, NM

Lincoln County has several communities including Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, Capitan, Carrizozo, Corona, Glencoe, San Patricio, Hondo, Tinnie, Picacho, Sunset, and Riverside.

You can read about these communities below.

Ruidoso: As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 7,698. Ruidoso lies in the rugged Sacramento Mountains of southeastern New Mexico. Ruidoso is a rapidly growing resort community, due to the region's alpine scenery, and nearby ski slopes. Ruidoso Downs racetrack and an Apache Indian owned casino are also within the area. During the 1870s and 1880s it was a busy trading center for ranchers. Taking full advantage of its spectacular setting, it is today a resort town. The village received its name from the Rio Ruidoso (Spanish for "Noisy River"), a small stream in the vicinity.

Ruidoso Downs: Ruidoso Downs is a village located just East of Ruidoso. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 1,824. Ruidoso Downs first called itself Palo Verde, then Green Tree, its translation. Ruidoso Downs Race Track gained notoriety as the home of the All-American Quarter House Futurity. The originator of the famous race convinced the town to change its name so the track would have a postmark.

Capitan: is located less than 20 miles north of Ruidoso. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 1,443. Every school age child has heard of Smokey Bear, but they may not know that Capitan, New Mexico, is his birthplace. In the aftermath of a disastrous fire in the Capitan Mountains, a four pound black bear was found on May 19, 1950, clinging to the trunk of a burned tree. The rangers named him Smokey. Ultimately he was taken to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and in June, 1950, he became the living symbol of Smokey Bear. When he died in 1976 he was returned to Capitan and buried at Smokey Bear Historical Park. The visitor's center includes exhibits about forest fires, a history of the fire prevention campaign and a theater. There are also educational computer games on fire prevention.

Carrizozo: is the county seat of Lincoln County. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,036. The name Carrizozo is derived from the Spanish name for reed grass, "carrizo." The native reed grass was an excellent feed for livestock on the ranches in the area prior to 1899, where small outfits ran cattle on Carrizozo flats in the upper end of the Tularosa Basin. It seems some enterprising ranch foreman added another "zo" to indicate there was abundant reed grass. That became the town's name although it wasn't platted until 1907. In 1909 Lincoln County voted to move the county seat from Lincoln to Carrizozo because of its proximity to the railroad.  After a four year court battle, finally decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1913 in Carrizozo's favor, the move took place.

Hondo Valley: Several small communities lie in the area known as the Hondo Valley. This map shows the area known as the Hondo Valley including the communities of Glencoe, San Patricio, Hondo, Tinnie, Picacho, Sunset, and Riverside.

Lincoln: You can locate Lincoln west of Roswell between Socorro and Roswell along US Highway 380 on the banks of the Rio Bonito River near the Lincoln National Forest. Spanish settlers arrived here in 1849. They named their community La Placita or Bonito, referring to "the village by the pretty river". In 1869, the territorial legislature developed a new county named for President Lincoln, and La Placita changed to Lincoln and became the new county seat. Lincoln remained the county seat until 1913.

Alto: population 800,  nine miles northwest of Ruidoso on NM Highway 48, was established with a post office in 1901, even though it was settled in 1882.   Eugene Rhodes was a cowboy writer who taught here in 1891 and 1892. Alto was known as Eagle Creek during those years. Postmaster W. H. Walker chose its name, Alto - Spanish for high. Now it is the home of artists, as well as merchants and businesses. Alto Village, a development with lovely homes, has its own golf course. The entrance to the Ski Apache slopes on Sierra Blanca Mountain is to the west on NM Highway 532 just as you enter Alto.

Corona: which means summit, was established in 1902 during railroad construction. The history of Corona includes a famous incident in which a deputy sheriff was shot and killed, perhaps by Billy the Kid. Billy was hiding out at a place called Greathouses Tavern, which was later burned to the ground because of the shooting. Billy escaped and Governor Lew Wallace put a $500 bounty reward on his head. Corona's economic base is and was ranching and farming. As of the 2000 census, thevillage had a total population of 165.