hat cemetery

From the archives:

The upper areas of Solano's Western Wear in Raton, New Mexico holds hundreds of old hats -- many were trade-ins for new Stetsons and others were donated in memory of the cowboys who wore them. This image was accepted for the High and Dry Exhibit XI and will hang at the International Cultural Center, 702 Indiana, until January 9.

Solano's Western Wear
Raton, New Mexico
5.29.2010

in honor of our veterans

VFW members and Boy Scouts across America adorned county courthouses with U. S. flags in honor of our nation's veterans.

Colfax County Courthouse
Raton, New Mexico

the golden rule

In 1911 Italian immigrant Tony Marchiondo came to Raton to work in the coke mines. In 1913 his wife Anna and baby daughter arrived and they established "The Golden Rule and New York Stores" which began the largest mercantile in the area. Tony and Anna reared 3 daughters and 7 sons. During World War II all 7 sons served in the military. In 1986 the remaining family members closed the store -- just locked the doors and walked away, leaving counter and merchandise inside. Today, a glimpse through the dusty windows is a glance back in time.

Marchiondo's Store
First Street

Raton, New Mexico

luxury motel

We are on the annual trek to Raton, New Mexico and the NRA Whittington Center for the benchrest competition. Fellow shooters stay at the Budget Host Motel so we do too. The Budget Host, also known as the Melody Lane Motel, boasts 27 modern rooms with air conditioning, mini-refrigerator, hair dryers, free wi-fi (believe it or not!) and the piece de resistance -- Thermasol steam bath in the shower! Too bad there's not a vibrating bed with a quarter slot. . . .

free tv in every room

From the archives:

For decades this sign waved travelers, mostly from Texas on US 87, into the El Kapp Motel -- complete with swimming pool, picnic area and probably vibrating beds. Today travelers stop for the homogenized amenities of the Holiday Inn and Comfort Suites off the impersonal Interstate 25 and seldom explore the off-roads for the unique if kitschy character of America's older times.

El Kapp Motel
200 Clayton Road (US 87)
Raton, New Mexico
May 2004

us highway 64

From the archives:

US Highway 64 parallels Route 66 a couple of hundred miles to the north but never had the renown of the "mother road." Although Interstate 25 bypassed Raton, US 64 is still busy with traffic between Trinidad, Colorado and Taos, New Mexico --especially motorcycles on Memorial Day Weekend. The main drag of Raton is still lined with vintage motels and their neon signs. We've stayed at the Robin Hood on our annual jaunts to the Whittington NRA Center, but prefer the Oasis Motel and its cafe.

Robin Hood Motel
US Highway 64
Raton, New Mexico

May 2005