You’ll discover Arabella-Las Tablas in southeastern New Mexico’s Lincoln County, where adobe ruins and timber frames mark a vanished ranching settlement. Originally named Las Tablas in the 1870s for its timber resources, the town became Arabella in 1901 when Andy Richardson established the post office and general store. The community thrived on sheep herding and cattle ranching until the mid-1920s, when economic decline transformed it into a ghost town. Hidden among its scattered foundations lie tales of outlaws, lost treasures, and Apache spirits.
Key Takeaways
- Arabella-Las Tablas began as a late 19th-century ranching community in southeastern New Mexico, originally named Las Tablas for local timber resources.
- The settlement’s general store, established by Andy Richardson in 1901, served as the community hub until economic decline set in.
- Post office closure in 1923 marked the beginning of the town’s decline, leading to its eventual transformation into a ghost town.
- Ruins of foundational structures, abandoned homesteads, and a historic cemetery remain on Block Ranch property as evidence of the former settlement.
- The town’s economy centered around sheep herding and cattle ranching, with workers managing herds of 12,000 sheep and 250 cattle.
The Birth of a Frontier Settlement
As southeastern New Mexico’s frontier opened in the late 19th century, the Arabella-Las Tablas settlement emerged amid a landscape dominated by vast sheep herding and cattle ranching operations.
You’ll find the town’s origins traced to Andy Richardson’s general store, established around 1901, which he named after his Apache paramour, Arabela Barela. The settlement was originally known as Las Tablas in the 1870s before taking its current name.
The frontier challenges shaped the settlement dynamics through a unique blend of cultures. Hispanic families like the Sanchez and Romero clans settled alongside Apache influences and Genizaro communities. The local priest visited every three months for religious services.
Workers managed massive herds – one overseer typically ran 12,000 sheep and 250 cattle, supported by herders stationed at remote camps. Water proved precious, with settlers relying on 30-foot wells, dirt tanks, and hauled water.
The community sustained itself through small-scale farming, growing corn, beans, and garden vegetables using mule-drawn implements.
From Las Tablas to Arabela: A Name’s Evolution
You’ll find that Las Tablas, named for its local timber resources, underwent a significant transformation in 1901 when postmaster Andrew M. Richardson changed the settlement’s name to Arabella.
The new name honored the daughter of a prominent settler family, though historical records show variations between “Arabella” and “Arabela” in different documents. Like many families during that era, they likely arrived as part of the wagon train migration that brought numerous settlers to Lincoln County in the 1880s. The town remained active until post office closure in 1923, marking the end of its official existence.
This change from a descriptive Spanish name to a personal English one marked a pivotal shift in the community’s identity, formalized through the establishment of the post office on February 15, 1901.
Origins of Dual Names
The historical evolution of the settlement’s name from Las Tablas to Arabella marks a significant cultural shift in the community’s identity.
You’ll find the origins of both names deeply rooted in the area’s heritage, with “Las Tablas” reflecting the Spanish settlers‘ connection to timber resources, while “Arabella” represents the growing influence of Anglo-American naming conventions.
When three Spanish families first established the settlement southeast of the Capitan Mountains, they chose “Las Tablas” for its cultural significance, referring to the wooden planks used in construction. Like families in Barelas trace their heritage back multiple generations, early settlers maintained strong ties to their Spanish roots.
This identity held until 1901, when postmaster Andy Richardson renamed the town “Arabella” to honor a settler’s daughter. The settlement operated under this name until its post office discontinued in 1928.
The dual names you encounter today showcase the remarkable blend of Hispanic and Anglo influences that shaped this community’s evolution through the early 20th century.
Romantic History Behind Change
When postmaster Andrew Richardson established the town’s post office in 1901, he transformed Las Tablas’ identity by renaming it “Arabella” in honor of a prominent settler’s daughter.
You’ll find this name change reflected a broader cultural shift from purely functional Spanish descriptions to more sentimental Anglo designations, emphasizing personal connections within the community.
The local store and post office became gathering places where residents embraced this new identity, weaving together the personal stories of influential families like the Richardsons, Sanchezes, and Romeros. Much like Doña Rita Baca and her family’s prominence in the region, these families helped shape the town’s social fabric.
Through this renaming, you can trace how the town’s sentimental legacy evolved from its practical origins as “the boards” to a more romantic association with family heritage, marking a significant change in the community’s self-expression and cultural identity.
Life in the Shadow of Capitan Mountains
Nestled beneath towering granite peaks that soar above 10,000 feet, life in the Capitan Mountains region adapts to dramatic elevation changes and diverse microclimates.
From the harsh desert floor to alpine zones, you’ll discover how Capitan ecology shaped settlement patterns across granite intrusions extend for approximately 20 miles of rugged terrain. The ghost town geography reveals itself through the vertical stratification of plant life, from drought-resistant species at lower elevations to dense ponderosa forests higher up.
Ancient settlements mirror the mountain’s layers, scattered like seeds from desert scrub to towering pines above.
You’re surrounded by wildlife thriving in these varied habitats – black bears roam the coniferous forests while mule deer traverse the juniper woodlands. The Mescalero Apache Tribe made this rugged wilderness their home for over seven centuries, living off the land’s natural bounty.
In the rain shadow of Sierra Blanca, the mountains receive less precipitation than neighboring ranges, yet still support over 200 bird species within Lincoln National Forest‘s protected boundaries.
The Richardson-Barela Legacy
Against the rugged backdrop of the Capitan Mountains, a complex social tapestry emerged through Andy Richardson‘s 1886 arrival and subsequent relationship with Arabela Barela.
Richardson’s influence began with his general store, which served as the settlement’s commercial hub. You’ll find his most significant impact came in 1901 when, as postmaster, he renamed Las Tablas to “Arabela” after his paramour. Much like the arrangement where Fort Union prisoners could travel within four miles on parole, Richardson allowed local residents to purchase goods on credit within a similar radius of his store.
The Barela legacy runs deeper than the town’s naming. Arabela and her sisters, Damiana and Carolina, operated several brothels that shaped the community’s character.
Their establishments drew men from across the territory, interweaving economic and social dynamics. While physical traces of their presence have vanished, their story exemplifies how marginalized figures influenced frontier development, challenging traditional historical narratives.
Stories and Legends of the Old West
Throughout the late 1800s, New Mexico’s untamed landscape served as both sanctuary and battleground for some of the West’s most notorious outlaws. The rugged terrain around Arabella-Las Tablas echoes with outlaw legends and ghost stories preserved through generations of oral tradition.
Local accounts tell of:
Stories handed down through generations speak of outlaws and supernatural encounters in these remote borderlands.
- Billy the Kid’s frequent passages through the area while evading law enforcement
- Hispanic settlers’ encounters with mysterious thunderbirds soaring over Urraca Mesa
- Lost treasure caches from Spanish expeditions hidden in nearby caves
- Paranormal activity reported in abandoned homesteads dating to the 1880s
- Unexplained disappearances connected to the Adams Diggins gold mine
These tales paint a vivid picture of the region’s lawless past, where outlaws found refuge and settlers faced both natural and supernatural forces in their quest for freedom and fortune.
A Thriving Community’s Gradual Decline
You’ll find evidence of Arabela-Las Tablas’s economic decline in the closure of its post office in 1923, marking the end of a prosperous period driven by sheep ranching and wool production.
The settlement’s once-thriving general store, which had served as both post office and community hub since 1901, could no longer sustain formal operations as residents gradually moved away.
The disappearance of these essential services accelerated the community’s transformation from a bustling ranching center into what would eventually become a ghost town.
Economic Prosperity Fades Away
While the Las Tablas area initially showed promise with three Spanish ranching families establishing homesteads at the Capitan Mountains’ southeast end, its economic significance proved short-lived.
Despite Andy Richardson’s general store serving as a commercial hub, the settlement’s isolation and lack of infrastructure prevented sustainable growth.
You’ll find that economic challenges and population shifts gradually eroded the community’s liveliness.
- Richardson’s store struggled to compete with larger towns’ businesses
- Limited transportation networks hindered trade and market integration
- Absence of banks and diverse commerce restricted economic development
- Young residents migrated to areas with better opportunities
- Harsh terrain and scarce resources deterred industrial investment
The settlement’s dependence on ranching and small-scale farming couldn’t sustain long-term prosperity, leading to its eventual abandonment as residents sought opportunities elsewhere.
Post Office Closure Impact
The closure of Arabella-Las Tablas’ post offices marked a defining moment in the community’s decline.
You’ll find that Arabela’s post office, established in 1901 and named after Arabela Barela, served the area until 1928. Las Tablas maintained its postal service until July 29, 1995, when the final chapter of local mail delivery came to an end.
These closures reflected more than postal service decline – they severed crucial communication lifelines. You can trace how the shutdowns forced residents to travel greater distances for basic mail services, deepening community isolation.
The post offices had been more than mail stops; they’d functioned as social hubs where neighbors gathered and local commerce flourished. Their absence accelerated the exodus of younger families, leaving behind aging residents and contributing to the area’s ghost town status.
Mystery and Folklore in the Desert
Mysteries shroud Arabella-Las Tablas, where tales of Billy the Kid‘s daring escape intertwine with stories of indigenous encounters and unexplained desert phenomena.
You’ll discover mystical encounters preserved through generations of storytellers who gathered outside the local store, sharing survival tales that shaped the town’s identity. The harsh desert landscape serves as a backdrop for supernatural phenomena and ghostly apparitions that continue to intrigue visitors.
- Billy the Kid allegedly had his shackles removed here by a Mexican friend after escaping Lincoln
- Indigenous legends tell of Teodoso, an adopted Indian child killed by a grizzly bear
- Unexplained moccasin tracks appear and vanish in the desert sand
- Mysterious lights and sounds emerge from abandoned ranch ruins
- Local folklore records encounters with native spirits near unmarked burial sites
Remnants of a Lost Era
Physical traces of Las Tablas-Arabela stand as weathered witnesses to pioneering life, with foundational ruins scattered across what’s now Block Ranch property.
You’ll find remnants of the town’s cultural heritage through metal detector searches, revealing artifacts from its ranching heyday when 12,000 sheep and 250 cattle roamed these lands.
The community’s historical significance lives on in its cemetery, where you can visit the grave of Francisco Sais, the legendary Navajo cowboy.
The old post office, which operated from 1901 to 1928, marked the town’s formal presence before its decline.
Today, you’ll discover thirty-foot-deep wells and dirt tanks that once sustained livestock, while weathered foundations hint at the bustling settlement where Spanish families from Colorado first established their homes.
Finding Arabela Today
Located approximately 23 miles east of Capitan, New Mexico, Arabela’s remnants challenge modern-day explorers seeking traces of this historic settlement.
Hidden in New Mexico’s vast wilderness, the ghost town of Arabela beckons adventurers to uncover its secrets 23 miles east of Capitan.
Your ghost town exploration requires careful remote navigation, as no direct public roads connect from Capitan. Instead, you’ll need to approach via routes from Ruidoso and State Highway 246.
To aid your search for this vanished community:
- Use GPS coordinates 33°35′13″N 105°10′24″W to locate the general townsite
- Seek permission from landowners, as most remains lie on private ranch property
- Bring metal detectors to identify buried structural elements
- Look for the historic Arabela Cemetery, where Francisco Sais rests
- Connect with locals who know old ranch worker stories about artifact locations
The post office’s closure in 1928 marked Arabela’s decline, leaving only scattered ruins for today’s adventurous discoverers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happened to Arabela Barela After the Town’s Decline?
You’ll find that Arabela Barela’s fate remains unknown after the town’s decline, though her legacy lives on through the Barela family name and the town she helped establish.
Are There Any Surviving Photographs of Las Tablas or Early Arabela?
You won’t find many surviving photos of these settlements. While the New Mexico History Museum Photo Archives hold potential historical documentation, there’s no confirmed early imagery of either Las Tablas or Arabela.
How Many People Lived in Arabela During Its Peak Years?
To sum it up, you’ll find historical records don’t pin down exact numbers, but population dynamics suggest fewer than 100 residents during peak years, reflecting the settlement’s modest historical significance around 1900.
Were Any Significant Artifacts Recovered From the Townsite?
You’ll find historically significant artifacts including cast iron goods from Michigan, mining equipment, personal items, glass bottles, and firearms – all preserved to document the daily life and commerce of frontier settlers.
Did Any Descendants of the Original Spanish Families Remain in the Area?
You’ll find descendant stories from original Spanish families like the Sánchez, Aguilar and Barrera clans living nearby today, with family legacies maintained through oral histories and continued cultural practices.
References
- https://landofentrapment.blog/arabela-and-the-ufo-alien-crash-communion-wall/
- https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/nm/arabella-lastablas.html
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_1iT_a-Wzw
- https://sites.rootsweb.com/~nma/GhostTowns/analla_ghosttown.html
- https://www.newmexico.org/places-to-visit/ghost-towns/
- https://oralhistory.nmfarmandranchmuseum.org/detail.php?interview=60
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Albuquerque
- https://www.scribd.com/document/629171669/Lincoln-Story
- https://ahgp.org/nm/AllFamilyHistory/fhfirst_families.htm
- https://www.newmexicomagazine.org/blog/post/albuquerque-barelas-neighborhood/
