Silver City — hometown of Billy the Kid

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Silver City, New Mexico. Photo by Carla DeMarco

Tucked against rolling mountain foothills at 5,920 feet, Silver City’s mild climate, Victorian charm, friendly people and proximity to the Gila Wilderness have for decades attracted adventurers and people seeking a healthy, low-key lifestyle. Longtime mining and ranching influences commingle with such growing segments as retirees, entrepreneurs, artists and naturalists.

The Mimbres and Gila river valleys near Silver City once nourished the prehistoric Mogollon and Mimbres Indian cultures who farmed the rich soil and produced their famed pottery. Later, the nomadic Apaches succumbed to the Spanish, Mexican and American settlers.

Silver City sprang to life in the summer of 1870 as a tent city shortly after John Bullard opened a silver mine. As optimism grew, townspeople began to build houses based on permanence using bricks made from local clay. The fruits of this labor are still standing in Silver City’s five historic districts. Once the silver was depleted, copper took its place as a major area industry. In recent years, tourism has also become an important economic contributor. Silver City’s population is currently 12,500 while Grant County has swollen to 28,740.

As the county seat, Silver City is the educational and cultural center for Grant, Luna and Hidalgo counties. Western New Mexico University has served as a hub of higher learning since 1893. The Mimbres Region Arts Council provides ongoing performances, exhibits and arts education in the schools. Annual jazz and blues Festivals draw crowds from around the region. The San Vicente Artists sponsor an arts festival in the Big Ditch annually, and the new annual Renaissance Fair is growing in popularity. Rodeos, a Bird and Nature Fest, and Cowboy Poetry festivals also enhance the cultural atmosphere of this small yet thriving town.

Downtown, Main Street Project has helped transform Bullard and Broadway streets by assisting businesses with restoration projects. Sidewalks were recently replaced, and trees were planted throughout. A project is underway to acquire historic replicas of pedestrian streetlamps.

Ten parks, two swimming pools, two museums, Billy the Kid sites, an 18 hole golf course, a bowling center, fine arts auditorium and two movie theaters offer plenty of recreational outlets.

Area attractions include Bear Canyon Lake, Lake Roberts, Faywood Hot Springs, Gila Hot Springs, Gila National Forest, Gila Cliff Dwellings, City of Rocks, Bill Evans Lake, Santa Rita Open Pit Copper Mine, Pinos Altos (historic town), the Catwalk, Mogollon Ghost Town and the Trail of the Mountain Spirits.