Only in New Mexico | By Robin McClure
New Mexico is known for its long and varied mining history, including coal, copper, gold, silver, and uranium. But mining is a dangerous pastime, and long before numerous safety measures were put into place, miners faced a livelihood filled with peril.
This old mining town once had a lively history with a grim toll of the unlucky who succumbed to the deadly miner’s consumption, as well as natural disasters no one could see coming!
Mogollon is located in southwest New Mexico. The drive itself through the Mogollon Mounts in Catron County is interesting, with one-lane hairpin curves carved out of the hillside. You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.
Mogollon was once a successful silver mining town. Some gold was found there as well. Mining started there in the 1890s.
While several mines were started, one was particularly notable, and went by the name of Little Fannie (also spelled Little Fanny).
A camp sprung up as a result so miners had a place to stay.
At its peak, the town had more than 3,000 residents. Poor health conditions often caused miners working there to die within three years. Miner’s consumption, often called Black Lung disease, took a huge toll on workers and their families. Killing off many who called Mogollon home.
Even with its reputation as a very dusty mine, hopefuls still came in search of a better life.
During its heyday in the early 1900s, gold and silver bullion was mined and shipped to Silver City by mule team.
During World War I, trucks took to hauling the ore.
Mogollon earned a reputation as one of the wildest mining towns in the West.
Many unsavory deaths occurred during these days.
Eventually, market value of the ore decreased to the point where the mines were no longer profitable. This drove residents and miners to move away.
Bad fortune came to the town often.
In addition to disease and death miners faced, there were disastrous floods in 1894, 1896, 1899, and 1914 and tragic fires in 1894, 1904, 1910, and 1942.
The fire in 1942 practically wiped out the town.
Soon after, it became almost a ghost town, and when Little Fannie later closed down, more people moved away.
Only a few businesses and residents remain there today.
