It was recommended that we take a ride into Silver City, New Mexico a place consistently rated one of the BEST SMALL TOWNS in America - one of the nation's best places to visit, live and retire. It is rated as one of the “Top ELEVEN Retirement Spots” by Kiplinger. So we decided to check it out for ourselves.
The discovery of silver brought thousands of miners and merchants to Silver City causing it to spring to life during the summer of 1870. The town’s founders decided that Silver City would be “built to last.” In 1880, an ordinance was passed requiring masonry construction for new buildings in the city limits leaving behind solid commercial buildings, brick Victorian homes and adobe structures.
Several devastating floods between 1890 and 1910 washed away the original Main Street and all but one of its brick buildings. (So much for “built to last.” ) The stately Warren House by the Market Street pedestrian bridge is the sole survivor.
Ron took some pictures of the photos hanging in the museum showing the devastation of main street during one of the floods.
We stopped to take a look at the “ditch” that was once Main Street.
The Silver City Main Street Project has provided comprehensive downtown revitalization services since 1985. Now the city has over 200 retail and service businesses,art studios, government services, nonprofits, churches and schools.
Silver City has become an artisans community.
The sidewalks here are very high at times requiring stairs to get to them.
We stopped at the Silver City Museum and the volunteer there originated from Portland, Maine. She and her husband moved to Silver City one year ago to get out of the cold. (good move)
The museum contains two floors of Silver City history and the third floor is the cupola affording a view of the entire town. I did go up to the second floor but opted out of the third floor vista.
There were many displays of art work on the walls in town.
We took a ride up to Boston Hill to a great spot overlooking the entire of Silver City. There was structure on top of the overlook that I was hoping was a rest room but it was a small chapel that was closed.
Some other interesting buildings in Silver City.
An unusual lamp post.
On our way back to the CG we stopped for an ice cream then some grocery shopping. At the CG we were once again gifted with another beautiful sunset reflected on the mountains.
There is a storm front coming in from the west coast that is predicted to be bringing much needed rain to the area along with 50 mph winds. Not gusts of wind but steady 50 mph winds. Our plan is to move out in the morning heading to Tombstone, Arizona. Yes, if all goes well, after 30 days we will finally be in Arizona!
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