"Without roots, the tree will blow down in the forest. Those who are ignorant of the past are destined to have no future."

According to the oral tradition, Red River City was founded on July 3, 1895 by Colorado speculator E.I. Jones and the Red River City Town and Mineral Company. From the beginning, it was a mining town and the search for precious metal resulted in hundreds of mines with colorful names like Golden Treasure, Silver King and the Black Copper. By 1897 over 3,000 people were said to be living in the area.

After the mines "played out", the town gained new momentum by renting abandoned mining cabins to flatland visitors who sought refuge from the heat in the cool mountains of the Red River Valley.

With the opening of the Red River Ski Area in 1959-60, Red River became more that a summer resort. Today hundreds of thousands of people enjoy relaxation and recreation in the high country paradise of Northern New Mexico.

A Glimpse Into The Past

The Little Red School House, located on Jayhawk Trail behind the Red River Public Library at "the Y," was built around 1916 to replace the original log schoolhouse which was destroyed by fire. The building was the seat of education in town until classes were discontinued in the early 1940s.

It continued, however, to serve the community as social meeting hall, church and funeral parlor for many years. The school hasn't always been red. It was white at one time and was painted grey in the 1930s. In the early 1960s, the Red River Women's Club decided it should be red.

In 1999, the building was moved from its original location on the banks of Bitter Creek to its present location. Today the school has returned to its original function, proudly housing the collection of the Red River Historical Society. In addition to photos and artifacts of the early days of town, a recreation of a period-style classroom allows visitors a glimpse of high country education. An outdoor exhibit of mining equipment adjoins the building.

The museum will be open to the public this summer. Long-time Red River resident Bob Prunty, who served as Postmaster for many years, will be giving tours and answering questions about the town's colorful heritage. There is no admission charge, but donations are most welcome.