Raton

Raton was founded at the site of Willow Springs, a stop on the Santa Fe Trail. It lies at the south end of Raton Pass, which was used by Spanish explorers and Indians for centuries to cut through the rugged mountains to the north, thus saving about 100 miles. However, the trail was too steep and rough for the wagons on the Santa Fe Trail.

In 1866, "Uncle Dick" Wooten, a mountain man, indian scout, and entrepreneur, recognizing that traffic would be increasing to the west, blasted a route through the pass, and erected a toll booth. Now, while it was possible to take a wagon through the pass, everybody had to pay or take the detour.

The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad bought the toll road from Uncle Dick in 1879. Raton quickly developed into an important railroad, mining, and ranching center for all of northeastern New Mexico Territory. The old Sante Fe Depot is still used today.

Raton has preserved its old. historic downtown section. The Rococo Shuler Theatre, built in 1915, is a highlight of downtown. It once housed the opera, the fire station, and city offices. The Raton Museum is one of 70 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. It gives a glimpse into the lives of the coal miners, ranchers, railroaders, and merchants who founded the city.

It is close to numerous ghost towns, archaeological sites, state parks, and recreation areas. Modern Raton offers a range of summer activities. Golfing, tennis, sailing, motor-boating and backpacking are all readily available. In June the New Mexico Rodeo Association holds a rodeo in Raton.

Back to VIVA! New Mexico