The monthly Culture Series returns to the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in August and the first lecture focuses on one of the enduring mysteries in southwestern New Mexico.
What: Historian Jim Eckles’ Culture Series talk at 7 p.m. on Aug. 11 is called: “Victorio Peak: One Hundred Tons of Gold or Just One Hundred Tall Tales.” The presentation will be in the Museum’s theater and admission is free, although donations will be accepted. Milton Noss claimed he descended into Victorio Peak in Dona Ana County in 1937 and discovered a huge tunnel. At the end of the tunnel were rooms with skeletons chained to the floor and gold bars stacked like firewood – the math led to claims of 100 tons of gold. In 1939, he collapsed the entrance when it was dynamited to make it larger. Since then, Noss himself, various family members, and a horde of others tried to regain access to the fabulous treasure. These searchers and claimants have been prevented from simply leveling Victorio Peak because, after World War II, the tiny mountain became part of White Sands Missile Range. Although the missile range considers treasure hunters as trespassers, the Army has allowed four different searches at the peak. During the last one, Noss descendants were there for several years. Eckles will detail the legend and some of the efforts to find the gold and explain why they haven’t found anything. Eckles has been on and inside Victorio Peak and dealt with many of the treasure claimants.
Who: Jim Eckles is a retiree from the missile range where he worked in the Public Affairs Office for 30 years. One of the most popular questions he received while conducting tours of the missile range was, “Can we see Victorio Peak?” Because of the persistence of the 100-tons of gold legend, Eckles included a whole chapter to it in his book “Pocketful of Rockets: History and Stories Behind White Sands Missile Range.” The lecture is hosted by the Friends of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.
When: Aug. 11 at 7 p.m.
Where: The theater at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces.
Why: This presentation marks the return of the Museum’s popular, monthly Culture Series, which was halted in 2020 due to the pandemic. Jim Eckles will provide attendees with insight about one of the enduring mysteries in southwestern New Mexico.
