New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-08-01
THE ESTANCIA VALLEY
A LAND OF PROMISE

The Estancia Valley is an inter-
estmg bit of New Mexico. The
builders of the New Mexico Central
Railway spied it out and found it
full of promise. When they built
their road over it grassy plains they
made the mistake, so very human,
that ITS development was possible
In year or two. Like many
country builder they found that max
ing the wilderness blossom is a slow
and tedious process. But some day
Estancia Valley will prove that their
faith was not misplaced, though
they erred seriously as to the time
II would require TO develop MS re-
sources.
Estancia Valley begins just south
of the Galisteo Basin. The rail-
road climbs out OF the basin over a
rather steep grade of several miles.
On reaching the siding of Williams
az the end OF the climb. there spreads
out broad level PLAIN bordered far
to the west by lofty mountains and
ranges OF hills on the east At this
time the Valley is deep in native
grasses like the grama. Here and
there are farms along the railroad
and they become more general
southwark until Estancia, the county
seat OF Estancia, is reached The
valley becomes quite narrow at
Willard, but widens again to the
south.
There is evidence enough in the
agricultural development along the
railroad to show that agriculture is
successful The successful farmers
are milking cows and growing live
stock as an important part OF the
farm operation Cream is being
shipped from every station. Back
from the railroad they say the coun-
try IS more thickly settled and that
some irrigation is possible from lii.
tie streams back under the noun
taisn.
But the valley is still largely open
prairie that waits for the right sort
of settlers that will adapt themselves
to the climate and soil conditions.
/ he valley is already producing much,
but IN years to come its produc-
ton will be vastly increased
Over in the mountains are metal
and coal mines. But the mineral
resources are undeveloped Fifteen
miles west of Stanley copper is be-
ng mined and the ore hauled TO
Stanley for shipment to the smelter
At FL Paso. The Hagen coal mines
-emalns to be opened up. Some coal
S mined near Clark and carried in
ruoks to the station at the rate
'eyeral cars a day.
Some day irrigation by pumps will
,ome into use Though shallow
water underlies a large district
around Estancia no earnest effort
las been made to develop the under
ground waters. There are numerous
springs. The Antelope springs be-
ween Mcintosh and Estancia are
veil known to the early cowmen.
Ihe New Mexico Central is now in
'talling an experimental pumping
liant near Estancia
he valley is a treeles plain and
% tar few trees have been planted.
The pioneer is too busy to plant
rees. But the people who come 10
make homes plant trees. New Mex
co is very partial to the cotton
wood even on the staked plains.
While across the line in Texas the
Russian mulberry and black locust
re more in favor In Estancia val
ey the cottonwood and poplar are
he leading trees planted. though To-
ust appears now and then. The ap-
earance of the farm groves indicates
hat shade trees thrive in the VAL
ey.
The New Mexico Central runs the
ntire length of the valley. The road
, being generally overhauled at this
ime. much improvement being un-
er way.
Conditions this year are excellent
the valley and bumper crops are
he rule.
The development of the Estancia
alley is of direct interest to Santa
e, Albuquerque, and other places.
albuquerque is building a road into
ijeras canyon that leads to Mo-
arty. Out of Santa Fe there is
o specially worked highway that
ads into the valley. But efforts
re now being made TO establish
trough automobile line through the
alley. The improvement of the rail.
'ad and better highways leading in.
the valley will benefit much and
elp the deyelopment