Historic Buildings of White Oaks, NM: A Journey Through Time

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Historic Buildings in White Oaks New Mexico

White Oaks, New Mexico, boasts a rich architectural history dating back to the late 19th century. This former bustling mining town is now a ghost town, but its historic buildings remain as a testament to its vibrant past. Visitors can explore a variety of structures, including well-preserved homes, schools, and commercial buildings. Each building tells a unique story of the people who lived and worked in White Oaks during its heyday.

Prominent buildings such as the Hoyle House and the Miner’s Home showcase the architectural styles and craftsmanship of the period. The Hoyle House, with its intricate woodwork and spacious design, served as a social hub for the community. Meanwhile, the Miner’s Home offers a glimpse into the daily lives of those who toiled in the mines. These buildings, along with others scattered throughout the town, provide a fascinating window into the life and times of White Oaks, making it a valuable historical site.

Regarding the construction of brick, granite or masonry core buildings or homes all designed for extended life times. The last brick home was a $5,000 mansion built by Frank sanger Jan 1, 1892 and the $40,000 Hoyle house completed same time. The last commercial buildings of non wood construction were the exchange bank June 1892. After the disaster of the Nov 1892 railroad meeting and Gould’s death and the horrific newspaper report on Gould’s passing NO Other non wood structure was erected as the towns citizens knew there was no reason to build for the future as it was clear the future was not going to be good. The two exceptions were the school house completed july 1894 and the Gumm house completed in 1895. Most likely the school was already paid for via municipal bonds and contracted prior to the railroad meeting and there was no way of stopping its construction. Less than 11 years from its construction it was shut down for lack of funds in 1905

The Gumms owned the sawmill and used their own wood to build a duplicate of Hoyle s house in 1895 shortly they ran afoul of the forest service and left town. Since nothing of note was built after Nov 1892 (HIGH WATER MARK) it is obvious that the population knew what would happen shortly. The authors do not believe they could possibly imagine just how horrible it would be nor the speed of how it happened

 

 
Churches
Town Hall/ Societies, Organizations And Clubs
Mayor, Councilman and City Offices

 

Newspapers

 

Post Office
Bank

                              * Exchange Bank 1892

 

Medical Doctors & Dentists

 

Doctors
Dentists
 
Law Offices
 
School House
 
Opera House
 
Saloons
 
Hotels
 
Boarding Houses

 

Merchants
Museum

 

 
Hogtown

 

 

Business Directory of 1882

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Press this link  see detailed ownership of above directory

 

 

NOTES BELOW

 

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Timeline of Buildings built

Groceries
Ridgeways Groceries are all first class Fresh and cheap as the cheapest and he pays the highest market price for eggs, potatoes, and other saleable country produce. Call and see him at the place formerly occupied by McCourt’s hardware.
compiled by Michelle White

New Mexico Interpreter
White Oaks NM
March 7, 1890
PAGE 4
Good stock
Ridgeway, the grocer has moved and is snug in his new quarters in the Whitman building opposite Bond and Stewarts. Where he as a good fresh stock of everything in the grocery and supply line and will be pleased to see his numerous customers.
compiled by Michelle White

New Mexico Interpreter
White Oaks NM
March 7, 1890
PAGE 4

Dentistry
Dr. Bearop appears to be doing a prosperous business in the dentistry line. His headquarters are at Dr. Paden’s Drug Store. The Dr. will remain in town some days longer. Most merchants are selling goods a little higher than they did last year, but at Young & Taliaferro’s you only pay the same amount of money for a dollars worth of goods that you did in 1890.
compiled by Michelle White

New Mexico Interpreter
White Oaks NM
Jan 9, 1891

tailor

lawyer: 3
Realtor: 1
Merchant: 5
Wagon maker: 2
Assayer: 2
Blacksmith: 6
Doctor:2
Butcher: 2
Clerk in store: 2
Laundress: 1
Cook: 1
Baker:1
Barber: 1
Notary: 1
Actor/actress: 2
Postmaster:1
Druggist: 1
Livery stable: 2
Bartender:1
Constable: 1

Hotels