Southern New Mexico - American Southwest - page 338

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WHAT TO SEE & DO NEAR LORDSBURG
Visitors to Lordsburg can go rockhounding in this area rich in minerals of many kinds.
Desert roses can be found near Summit, and agate is known to exist in many abandoned
mines locally. Mine dumps, southwest of Hachita, contain lead, zinc, and gold; the Ani-
mas Mountains have manganese. Volcanic glass can be picked up in Coronado National
Forest, and you can pan for gold in Gold Gulch.
Shakespeare Ghost Town Kids A national historic site, Shakespeare was once the
home of 3,000 miners, promoters, and dealers of various kinds. Under the name Ralston,
it enjoyed a silver boom in 1870. This was followed by a notorious diamond fraud in
1872, in which a mine was salted with diamonds in order to raise prices on mining stock;
many notables were sucked in, particularly William Ralston, founder of the Bank of
California. It enjoyed a mining revival in 1879 under its new name, Shakespeare. It was
a town with no church, no newspaper, and no local law. Some serious fights resulted in
hangings, from the roof timbers in the Stage Station. Since 1935, it's been privately
owned by the Hill family, which has kept it uncommercialized, with no souvenir hype or
gift shops. Six original buildings and two reconstructed buildings survive in various
stages of repair. Two-hour guided tours are offered on a limited basis, and reenactments
and living history are staged on the fourth weekends of April, June, August, and October,
if performers are available. Phone to confirm the performances.
2 1 / 2 miles south of Lordsburg (no street address; P.O. Box 253), Lordsburg, NM 88045. & 575/542-9034.
www.shakespeareghostown.com. Admission $4 adults, $3 children 6-12; for shoot-outs and special
events $5 adults, $4 children. 10am-2pm on the 2nd Sun and preceding Sat of each month. Special tours
by appointment. To reach Shakespeare, drive 1 1 / 2 miles south from I-10 on Main St. Just before the town
cemetery, turn right, proceed a half-mile, and turn right again. Follow the dirt road another half-mile into
Shakespeare.

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WHERE TO STAY
In Deming
La Quinta Inn True to its origins, this new whitewashed hotel provides consistent
and comfortable rooms at a decent price. Each is medium size with high ceilings, red-
wood furniture, and earth-tone decor. The beds are comfortable and the bathrooms are
spacious enough and have granite countertops. This is a good option if you like a newer-
style hotel than the Holiday Inn next door.
4300 E. Pine St., Deming, NM 88030. & 800/531-5900 or 575/546-0600. Fax [phone]. www.
laquinta.com. 58 units. $79-$105 double. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Ame-
nities: Health club; outdoor heated pool (summer). In room: A/C, TV, fridge, hair dryer, microwave, Wi-Fi.

In Lordsburg
Holiday Inn Express This hotel remains true to the Holiday Inn Express name,
providing clean and comfortable rooms at a reasonable price. This is a motel-style prop-
erty, allowing you to park right outside your room. All accommodations are medium size
with earth-tone-colored decor and comfortable beds. The bathrooms are small but have
an outer sink vanity. Four of the rooms offer fridges and microwaves.
1408 S. Main St., Lordsburg, NM 88045. & 800/HOLIDAY [465-4329] or 575/542-3666. Fax [phone].
www.hiexpress.com. 40 units. $89 double. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Pets
$20 fee. Amenities: Outdoor pool. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, Wi-Fi.