Carrizozo

1930s Pueblo Revival style Women’s Club Photo by Phyllis Eileen Banks

The name Carrizozo is derived from the Spanish name for reed grass, "carrizo." However, 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.

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.

Situated at the crossroads of U. S. Highway 380 and U. S. 54, Carrizozo’s elevation is 5,429 feet and its population 1,075. It came into existence when the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad extended its line through the town. The roundhouse and repair shops drew people to fill the jobs and the town soon grew. The land surrounding it was opened to homesteading, and many railroad families filed on the open range. It became a supply center and shipping point and the seat of Lincoln County. The population in the decade 1910-20 grew to over 2,000.

[click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }