Like many western town, it was a precious metal which started all. The discovery of silver in 1870 instigated a rush of prospective millioneers to the area and Silver City became the base of operations and supply. Twenty-two years later the silver parket plummeted but, by then, the cattle ranchers had come of age and Silver City survived, though in a different industry. Cattle is still an important industry in the area today but mining has returned - but, now, it is copper.
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Long before the 'Europeans' decided they wanted to reside in these parts, the Native Americans had their own civilizations. The pre-historic Mogollon Indians built and resided in intricate cliff dwellings in what is now Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument in the Gilla National Forest (about 44 miles north of Silver City on NM-15). It is well preserved and open for viewing to tourists.
City Of Rocks State Park
34 miles in the opposite direction (south) is New Mexico's City Of Rocks State Park. Here, giant boulders, like buildings in a city, are interspersed in such a metter to make the spaces between them appear like the streets in a city. The park does have picknicking and camping facilities. Head south about 34 miles on US-180 to the park entrance.
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The Kneeling Nun
Just off US-152, about 20 miles due east of Silver City, is another interesting rock formation. Actually, you don't have to go there to see it; it is plainly visible from Western New Mexico University campus. It doesn't take much imagination to see it as a nun kneeling in prayer.
Bill Evans Lake
And, on US-180, about 28 miles to the west of Silver City, we have Bill Evans Lake, one of many lakes in the area but probably the most conveniently accessable to folks passing through. Other lakes in the area include Lake Roberts, Snow Lake, Wall Lake and Bear Canyon Dam. For those inclined to do a little fishing, there are some 360 miles of water courses, most well stocked with trout.
Santa Rita Open
Pit Mine
Once the largest open pit copper mine in the world, this gigantic,
man-made hole in the earth, operated by Chino Mines Company, is well worth
a visit. Only about 20 miles east of Silver City. Almost 1,400 feet deep,
gigantic earth movers remove over 100 million tons of rock annually
resulting in nearly 200,000 tons of copper plus gold, silver and
molybdenum. In 1997, Chino Mines Co. filed for permission to expand the
geographical area of the mine. The EPA report is very interesting reading.
View it at: EPA
IMPACT
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