Gardiner, New Mexico – Legends of America
Nestled within the rugged landscape of northeastern New Mexico, just a few miles southwest of Raton, lies the spectral remains of Gardiner, a once-thriving coal mining town. Established in Dillon Canyon on the expansive Vermejo Park Ranch, Gardiner emerged as the second coal-mining settlement in the region, following in the footsteps of Blossburg. Its story is a testament to the cyclical nature of boom and bust, a narrative etched into the very foundations and lingering echoes of this ghost town.
Genesis of a Mining Town
The seeds of Gardiner were sown in 1881 when James T. Gardiner, a geologist with the Santa Fe Railroad, identified substantial coal deposits in the vicinity of Raton’s main railway line. This discovery ignited the spark that would transform the area. In 1882, mining operations commenced, and the town was christened in honor of the geologist whose vision had unlocked its potential.
Prior to this official "initial discovery," scattered prospecting and individual coal sales had already taken place. However, Gardiner’s establishment marked a shift towards organized and large-scale coal extraction, setting the stage for its growth as a prominent mining center.
The Old Gardiner Mine: A Foundation of Industry
The Old Gardiner Mine, initially known as Blossburg #4, commenced production in 1882 under the ownership of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. This marked the formal beginning of Gardiner’s coal mining legacy. In 1896, the Raton Coal and Coke Company assumed control of the mine’s operations, ushering in a new era of development.
The subsequent collaboration between the Raton Coal and Coke Company and the St. Louis, Rocky Mountain, and Pacific Railroad resulted in the construction of a battery of coke ovens, a pivotal moment that fueled Gardiner’s burgeoning growth.
Growth and Prosperity
The original mine, once integrated with the Blossburg operations, evolved into the distinct Old Gardiner Mine as the town flourished. Situated west of Gardiner, up Gardiner Canyon, the mine boasted coal seams ranging from 6 to 7 feet in thickness and its own dedicated tipple. The St. Louis, Rocky Mountain, and Pacific Railway’s Gardiner tracks extended southward, seamlessly connecting with the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, facilitating the distribution of coal to eager buyers.
In 1896, the Raton Coal and Coke Company’s takeover of mine operations coincided with the construction of 300 coke ovens. Coke, a byproduct of coal processing, played a crucial role in smelting copper ore. All the coal camps within Dillon Canyon channeled their coal to Gardiner for coking and processing, transforming the area into a hub of industrial activity.
The coke ovens, relentlessly operating day and night, cast an almost perpetual haze over the landscape, a visible manifestation of the town’s industrial heartbeat.
A Flourishing Community
The establishment of a post office in 1897 marked a significant milestone in Gardiner’s development, solidifying its status as a recognized community. By 1898, Gardiner was equipped with a washing plant featuring two Robinson-Wiggs coal washers, capable of cleaning an impressive 800 tons of coal daily.
The Blossburg Mercantile Company erected a substantial brick building in the town, a portion of which served as a dance hall and movie theater, catering to the social needs of the residents. Tennis courts, situated behind the store, provided recreational opportunities. A dinky barn housed the small locomotives that operated within the mines and to the coke ovens, while a machine shop, mule barn, assay office, and bathhouse for the miners further supported the town’s industrial infrastructure.
Diversity and Segregation
In July 1899, a significant influx of African-American families arrived in Gardiner from Alabama, recruited to break a strike at the mines. These individuals were assigned to the arduous task of working at the coke ovens, often regarded as the most challenging job in the mining communities. The 1900 Census recorded a population of 300 Black residents in Gardiner.
These families established their own community at the southern edge of town, across the creek, nestled at the base of a low hill. Tragically, when members of the Black community passed away, they were laid to rest in unmarked graves on the hill’s flat top, in stark contrast to the other residents of Gardiner, who were buried in Raton. This segregation extended into other facets of life. Cushmer’s Saloon and Barbershop, built in 1902, initially featured a partition to separate Black patrons from the rest of the population. However, frequent altercations led to the partition’s removal.
Peak and Progress
Gardiner’s population in 1900 stood at 985, a testament to its growing importance as a mining center. Ambitious expansion plans were set in motion by 1901, culminating in the closure of the Blossburg mines and the consolidation of operations in Gardiner, which employed 267 men.
In 1905, the Raton Coal & Coke Company was acquired by the St. Louis, Rocky Mountain & Pacific Company, further solidifying Gardiner’s position within the regional mining landscape.
The community boasted a diverse social fabric, with a Catholic and a Methodist Episcopal church, a Ladies Club, a Reading Circle, a band, basketball and baseball teams, and a Sportsmen’s Club. The town also featured a hotel and an amusement hall, catering to the recreational needs of its residents.
A Regional Hub for Healthcare
Gardiner distinguished itself from other mining camps by establishing a hospital in a simple wood structure, serving all miners in the area, including those from distant locations like Koehler. Built in 1905, the hospital was staffed with two resident doctors and five nurses. A significant expansion in 1916 increased its capacity to 40 patients, equipped with an operating room and a laboratory.
Continued Expansion and Production
The St. Louis, Rocky Mountain, and Pacific Company inaugurated the New Gardiner Mine in 1910–11 on the eastern side of Dillon Canyon, investing $50,000 in its infrastructure. A tram line was installed to transport coal to the screening plant across the valley, streamlining the production process. In 1915, Gardiner achieved a remarkable production output of 172,634 tons of coal.
Education and Housing
Gardiner was served by two schoolhouses. The original two-room schoolhouse, located on the west side of the community, also hosted Sunday school. After 1918, the school was relocated to the northern end of town, nestled against the hill.
The town’s residential landscape was characterized by houses built by 1915, primarily consisting of four rooms. Most were constructed from coke cinder blocks, with a few exceptions made of adobe. A water pump was strategically placed between every two houses, and refrigeration relied on 50-pound blocks of ice, reflecting the limitations of the era.
Decline and Abandonment
By 1917, new railroad tracks, an improved washer, a coke-breeze recovery plant, and a large warehouse had been added, signaling continued investment and growth.
Gardiner reached its zenith in the early 1920s, with a population of 1,000 residents. However, the onset of the Great Depression in 1929 triggered a decline from which the town would never recover.
In June 1939, the mines’ accessible coal reserves dwindled, leading to a cessation of most production. Some coke processing persisted during World War II to support zinc smelters engaged in the war effort. With the closure of the mines, the majority of residents departed, and the post office closed its doors in 1940. The hospital followed suit in the same year, with its front section sold and relocated to Raton, where it served as a motel office.
The machine shop continued operations until 1954, servicing equipment still in use at other mines. Subsequently, all activity ceased, and Gardiner transformed into a ghost town, its vibrant past fading into memory.
Remnants of a Bygone Era
Today, the vestiges of the old mining camp are scattered across the landscape, including sidewalks, foundations, and low walls. The ruins of the doctor’s house, the lamphouse, and the dinky barn remained standing as of 2010. One of the rows of ruined coke ovens stands as a stark reminder of the town’s industrial heritage.
The property is currently under the ownership of the Vermejo Park Ranch. Access to the town is restricted to ranch guests, who pay a substantial fee for overnight accommodations.
Gardiner holds the distinction of being the only ghost town in Dillon Canyon visible from public property. By taking South Fifth Street out of Raton around the golf course to the locked gate, visitors can catch a glimpse of the old coke ovens, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the town’s storied past.
Gardiner, New Mexico, stands as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of prosperity, a testament to the enduring power of the landscape, and a silent witness to the lives of those who once called this mining town home.
Also See:
- Coal Mining Towns of the Vermejo Park Ranch
- New Mexico Ghost Towns
- St. Louis, Rocky Mountain & Pacific Company
- Sugarite, New Mexico
Sources:
- New Mexico Archaeology
- New Mexico Geological Society
- Sherman, James & Barbara; Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of New Mexico, University of Oklahoma Press, 1975
- Varney, Philip; New Mexico’s Best Ghost Towns: A Practical Guide; University of New Mexico Press, 1987