Steins, New Mexico – A Railroad Ghost Town
Nestled in the arid landscape of southwestern New Mexico, a few miles from the Arizona border, lies Steins, a ghost town whispering tales of boom and bust, of railroads and robberies, and of dreams both realized and abandoned. More than just crumbling adobe walls and weathered wood, Steins is a palpable echo of the American West, a silent testament to the relentless spirit of pioneers who sought fortune and a new life in a harsh and unforgiving land. Today, it stands as a haunting reminder of a bygone era, a place where the ghosts of yesterday linger in the sun-baked air.
The story of Steins, New Mexico, is intricately linked to the region’s rich mining history and the transformative power of the railroad. In the late 1870s, the discovery of valuable mineral deposits – gold, silver, lead, and copper – in the foothills of the Peloncillo Range sparked a flurry of prospecting activity. Mining camps, each a hub of frantic activity and high hopes, sprang up like mushrooms after a desert rain. Kimball, Pocahontas, and Beck were among these ephemeral settlements, each vying for prominence in the Kimball Mining District. While these camps buzzed with the energy of miners, it was the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad that ultimately shaped the destiny of Steins, New Mexico.
In 1878, the Southern Pacific Railroad embarked on the arduous task of laying tracks through the rugged terrain. The construction crews, which included a significant number of Chinese laborers, blasted away at the rock bluffs to create a quarry, extracting tons of rock to build the railroad bed. It is estimated that around 1,000 Chinese workers lived near Steins Peak during this period, their presence leaving an indelible mark on the landscape and the town’s early history. Their tireless efforts paved the way for the railroad, which would become the lifeblood of Steins, New Mexico, and a crucial link connecting the eastern and western United States.
By 1880, the railway was completed, and a station was established near Steins Pass, setting the stage for the emergence of the town. For more than a decade, the area remained sparsely populated, with scattered cabins and prospector tents dotting the landscape. Beck’s Camp, however, distinguished itself with a store and a hotel, providing essential services and offering buckboard transportation to the Southern Pacific Station. The establishment of a Post Office at Steins Pass in January 1888 further solidified the area’s growing importance, serving the needs of the scattered residents and the burgeoning mining industry.
The tranquility of this remote outpost was shattered on December 9, 1897, when the Southern Pacific Sunset Limited was held up at Steins Pass by the notorious Black Jack Ketchum Gang. During the daring robbery attempt, a trainman named Edward Cullen was tragically killed. Although the bandits managed to escape, they were unsuccessful in their primary objective, making off with no money. This dramatic event added a layer of notoriety to the history of Steins, New Mexico, forever linking it to the legends of the Wild West.
Adding to the historical complexity of the area is the question of whether a stage station for Butterfield’s Overland Mail Company (1858-1861) was located in Steins, New Mexico. According to the research of Gerald T. Ahnert, a leading authority on the Butterfield Overland Mail Company, the confusion stems from the existence of a "Steins Stage Station" at the foot of Stein’s Peak, a few miles from the town. The Overland Mail Company actually ran through Doubtful Canyon, located about three and a half miles north of town. To further complicate matters, the town of Steins is situated near Steins Mountain and Steins Pass, not Steins Peak. This highlights the importance of careful historical research and the potential for geographical confusion when exploring the history of the American West.
The San Antonio & San Diego Mail Route, also known as The Jackass Mail or Birch Stage, is also alleged to have operated a station at the location where Steins, New Mexico, would eventually develop. However, like the Butterfield Overland Mail, this route also passed through Doubtful Canyon to the north of town, beginning in July of 1857, and for a brief time during Overland Mail service in 1858. It did not have a station in the immediate vicinity of present-day Steins.
Despite its humble beginnings, Steins, New Mexico, experienced a period of growth and prosperity in the early 20th century. In 1902, the area had only 35 registered voters, but it boasted a schoolhouse for the children of the community. A few years later, the Southern Pacific Railroad constructed a new station east of the original one at Steins Pass, and the town of Steins quickly expanded around it. The post office relocated to the new town site in 1905, further cementing Steins’ position as a vital transportation hub.
By 1905, the settlement had grown to approximately 100 residents and included a mercantile store, a restaurant, and a saloon. Serving as a headquarters for several mining companies, the town continued to grow, reaching a population of about 200, most of whom worked in the nearby mines or the rock quarry.
At its peak in 1919, the surrounding area of Steins, New Mexico, is estimated to have supported over 1,000 residents. By this time, the town boasted a boarding house, two bordellos, a dance hall, additional stores, two more saloons, and a hotel. However, life in the desert region was challenging for these early pioneers. With no local water source, water had to be transported to the area by train, selling for as much as $1.00 per barrel.
The prosperity of Steins, New Mexico, was short-lived. In 1925, the rock quarry closed, leaving dozens of men unemployed. At the end of World War II, the Southern Pacific Railroad discontinued its stop in Steins, notifying the residents that it would no longer deliver water and that the station would be closed.
This decision proved to be the death knell for the town. The railroad offered residents free transportation to any destination they desired. The majority of the inhabitants accepted the offer, abandoning their homes and possessions. In time, Steins was completely deserted. The post office was officially discontinued in 1944. In 1964, a devastating fire destroyed many of the historic, deserted buildings, further erasing the physical remnants of the town’s vibrant past.
Around 1976, a man named Warren Garrison embarked on a mission to "rebuild" Steins, New Mexico, after his parents purchased the land. Garrison spent 13 years working to restore the ghost town, often working at nearby Shakespeare to earn money to support his renovation project. He built a following for the ghost town, attracting hundreds of visitors each week who came to experience the "Old West" realism he had created.
In 1988, Garrison sold the property to Larry and Linda Link. The Links continued to operate the ghost town as a tourist attraction until their retirement in 2008, and then continued tours by appointment for a few more years.
Tragically, in June of 2011, Larry Link was murdered, a crime that remains unsolved. Link was shot five times by an unknown assailant, and police suspect a break-in gone wrong, potentially involving drug cartels.
In June 2013, the family announced that they would no longer open the ghost town to the public on a regular basis. Although the tours are currently unavailable to the general public, arrangements may be made for the family to provide them upon request.
Today, what remains of the community of Steins, New Mexico, includes several adobe ruins and about ten restored buildings, including a tack shop, a community kitchen, and "Girdie’s Garter." Nearby, an old cemetery stands as a final resting place for some of the town’s early residents, the weathered tombstones bearing silent witness to lives lived and lost in this remote corner of the American West.
Though its residents are long gone, Southern Pacific locomotives continue to pass by the town daily, their whistles echoing through the desert air, serving as a poignant reminder of a more prosperous time.
Steins is located 19 miles west of Lordsburg, New Mexico, just off I-10 at Exit #3, just east of the Arizona-New Mexico border. It stands as a haunting yet fascinating testament to the enduring allure and the often-fleeting nature of life on the American frontier.