Shakespeare, New Mexico

Shakespeare is a ghost town in Hidalgo County, New Mexico, United States.[2] It is currently part of a privately owned ranch, sometimes open to tourists. The entire community was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[1]

Shakespeare Ghost Town
Shakespeare in 2012, seen from the hill to the southeast.
Shakespeare, New Mexico is located in New Mexico
Shakespeare, New Mexico
Shakespeare, New Mexico is located in the United States
Shakespeare, New Mexico
LocationHidalgo County, New Mexico
Nearest cityLordsburg, New Mexico
Coordinates32°19′32″N 108°44′18″W
Architectural styleGreek Revival, Mexican Village
NRHP reference No.73001141[1]
NMSRCP No.41
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJuly 16, 1973
Designated NMSRCPFebruary 21, 1969

History

Founded as a rest stop called Mexican Springs along a stagecoach route, it was renamed Grant after the Civil War, after General U. S. Grant. When silver was discovered nearby it became a mining town called Ralston City, named after financier William Chapman Ralston. It was finally renamed Shakespeare, and was abandoned when the mines closed in 1929.

On November 9, 1881, Old West outlaws "Russian Bill" Tattenbaum and Sandy King, both cattle rustlers and former members of the Clanton faction of Charleston, Arizona Territory, were lynched in Shakespeare, and their bodies were left hanging for several days as a reminder to others that lawlessness would not be tolerated. The two had been captured by gunman "Dangerous Dan" Tucker, who at the time was the Shakespeare town marshal.[3]

  • Shakespeare in 1976.
    Shakespeare in 1976.
  • The Stafford Hotel building in 2023
    The Stafford Hotel building in 2023
  • The interior dining area of the old Stafford Hotel.
    The interior dining area of the old Stafford Hotel.
  • The kitchen of the old Stafford Hotel building.
    The kitchen of the old Stafford Hotel building.

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Shakespeare
  3. Dearment, Robert K. (2003). Deadly Dozen: Twelve Forgotten Gunfighters of the Old West - Robert K. DeArment - Google Books. ISBN 9780806135595. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
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