Springer has an abundant supply of history. It was predominantly a railroad town having been established in 1879. There is quite a bit to see while in Springer and the surrounding area. A landmark and camp ground for wagons traveling on the Santa Fe Trail was Point of Rocks just east of the town. This was a popular place because of the abundance of water available from the natural spring. There was plenty of wood also for campfires. At the same time it was a target for ambushes by Indians. There are eleven graves located here. The wagon trains on the SFT had to also worry where to cross the Canadian River. Parts of the river are very sandy, making it impossible for wagon wheels to cross, while other parts are in a deep canyon that are impassable. The wagons would need a “solid slab of rocks” in shallow water to make their crossing which could be found at Rock Crossing. Today this site is on private land, Dos Rios Ranch.
A trip to the Santa Fe Trail Museum in the historic Old County Court House is a must. The Court House was built in 1882 and is located in the middle of town. Springer also has what locals call a lake but what we Texans call a pond. It is beautiful with the hills and New Mexican landscape surrounding it.
There was no question as to where Bridget and I were to eat. The historical Brown Hotel was top on our list and thankfully it lived up to all we had heard. While not a part of the SFT it is a place to put on your list to visit. You walk in and feel yourself instantly go back in time. The Brown Hotel was built in 1922. There are eleven rooms for rent if you want to stay the night, ask for the back rooms upstairs if they are available. The café is all home cooked food and absolutely delicious. We had hamburger soup with grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, followed by pecan pie.
Next to the Brown Hotel is the old stone livery stable which now is used for storage of antique treasures. It is a lovely building to see. There are two very old churches in Springer. One is a Catholic and the other is a Methodist. But I must say for such a small town there are quite a few churches located within the historic downtown area. Even the old theatre, Zia, is converted into a church.
After a long day in Springer and on the road it is time to head toward Cimarron.
Tammy
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