New Mexico Ghost Towns
White Oaks
County: Lincoln
​
Year Established: 1879, but dates back to the late 1500's where it is said that the first Europeans to explore the area were the Spaniards of Don Juan de Onate's expedition.
​
Year Abandoned: Late 1890's due to the mines becoming exhausted and the population dwindled.
​
Location: Three miles north of Carrizozo on US Hwy 54.
From Ruidoso, take Hwy 48 North toward Alto. Drive almost 10 miles to NM 37, turn left. Drive 14 miles to US380, turn right. Drive 8 miles, turn right on US 54. Drive 3 miles, turn right on county road 349. Drive 8 miles, turn right on Pine St (County road A044).
​
About: White Oaks grew rapidly after the discovery of gold in 1869. From tent city to bustling mining town, it was the largest town in Lincoln County with cultural events and an occasional bandit. Gold depletion and failure to grant railroad right of way caused its demise.
​
In 1970, White Oaks was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district. By that time, very little remained of the original community; although the district covered over 1,800 acres, only 6 buildings had enough historical integrity to qualify as contributing properties.
Today, only one of the old saloons remains open, The No Scum Allowed Saloon.
​
Remains: WORTH THE TRIP!
Brown Building
2006
2022
The Brown building which has been a dry goods store, school, post office, general store, dentist's office and has rooms for rent, meetings and dances. The stone on the side was quarried near White Oaks, and the original brick front has been replaced by tin and painted. The town folk are still deciding on its next use.
School House Museum
Built for $10,000, this schoolhouse first held classes in 1895. Closed as a school in 1947, it is now a museum full of pictures and artifacts from White Oaks history.
​
​
Outhouse
White Oaks Miner's Home Museum And Miner's Toolshed Museum
Toolshed Musuem
Abandoned House
