Once Were Ghost Towns - CERRILLOS, New Mexico

Unique Cerrillos Turquoise, more green than the better-known blue-hued Turquoise, is still mined in the area now known as the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway in New Mexico.  This history-laden Highway 14 is a shunpike road that connects Albuquerque and Santa Fe and attracts seekers of funky and bygone. 

Built on a utility pole, seems like a strange place for a mini shrine -- but very detailed and sweet.

Besides the Visitor Center for the Cerrillos Hills State Park, the village of Cerrillos has two still-thriving businesses:  Mary’s Bar (cold Coors on tap) ...

...and the Cerrilos Turquoise Mining Museum/Petting Zoo/and Antique Bottle and Rock Shop...$2.00 for entrance to the museum, and $2.00 for a bag of “zoo food.”   No charge to look at the rock collection and Cerrillos Turquoise jewelry.  (Are you daft?  Of *course* I bought a few rock specimens!)

Well, OK, some could also count the Cerrillos Catholic Church as a “thriving business” too.  Interestingly, its bell tower brought to mind the towers of San Jose del Cabo Mission Church in Baja, but sans the mosaic of a roped padre being dragged across the avenue!

Turquoise Trail buildings have been prominent real-life props in many Western movies and the region is considered a prime movie-making location.

Yet some old originals are being artistically transformed and modernized.

Turquoise wasn’t the only mineral mined in the area.  Gold, silver, lead and zinc were pulled out of the hills during the 1880’s “rush.” And now coal is being strip-mined in the region…don't get me started!

Today Cerrillos is a worthwhile stop over for exploring and tasting the historical and cultural diversity that built the area.  I loved poking around its dusty, clay-packed "streets."  Stay tuned for a follow up post of some architectural details.