You’ll discover Faywood Hot Springs‘ remarkable journey from ancient Mimbres People’s healing site to luxurious resort destination. In 1900, three visionaries transformed these natural springs, flowing at 6,000 gallons per hour, into a prestigious 125-room hotel with a stunning 900-foot veranda. Though the original hotel was demolished in 1952, today’s revived wellness oasis offers soaking pools, camping, and cabins. The springs’ rich story spans centuries of New Mexican history and culture.
Key Takeaways
- Ancient Mimbres People first utilized the healing springs from 750-1250 AD, leaving archaeological evidence of their presence.
- Spanish explorers named it “Ojo Torro” in the 1500s, and it became “Ojo Caliente” after Mexico’s independence in 1821.
- Three entrepreneurs established Faywood Hot Springs Resort in 1900, building a luxurious 125-room hotel with a 900-foot veranda.
- The resort declined after World War I, leading to hotel demolition in 1952 and subsequent ownership by mining companies.
- Local entrepreneurs revived the springs in 1993, creating a modern wellness destination with multiple soaking options and lodging choices.
Ancient Roots: From Native Peoples to Mexican Territory
While the healing waters of Faywood Hot Springs have drawn visitors for centuries, its earliest documented use traces back to the Mimbres people who inhabited the area from 750-1250 AD.
You’ll find evidence of their prehistoric significance in the mortar holes they used for food processing near the springs. Archaeological discoveries in 1896 revealed stone tools, pottery, and copper spoons, confirming extensive Native American activity.
The springs’ rich cultural exchange continued as Spanish explorers arrived in the mid-1500s, naming it “Ojo Torro” after observing wildlife drinking there. The waters flow continuously at a rate of 6,000 gallons per hour through a cone of hardened minerals. Nestled at 5,782 feet elevation, the springs are naturally sheltered by surrounding mountains.
Spanish explorers christened these healing waters Ojo Torro in the 1500s, watching as wild creatures gathered to drink from the springs.
When Mexico gained independence in 1821, the springs became a crucial waypoint for travelers and settlers.
You can still spot traces of this heritage in Hispanic place names like “Ojo Caliente” that reflect the natural features of this storied land.
The Birth of a Legendary Resort (1900-1920)
You’ll find the origins of Faywood Hot Springs in the ambitions of three Minnesota entrepreneurs – J.C. Fay, William Lockwood, and T.C. McDermott – who transformed this ancient healing site into a premier resort in 1900.
The resort’s 125-room hotel, featuring a 900-foot veranda and amenities from billiards to bathhouses, quickly became the Southwest’s most prestigious getaway spot under McDermott’s careful management.
In 2011, the Shirk family acquired the property and continued its legacy as a cherished destination.
Founding Partners Join Forces
In 1900, three visionaries joined forces to establish what would become one of New Mexico’s most legendary hot springs resorts. J.C. Fay, William Lockwood, and T.C. McDermott’s partnership dynamics shaped the destiny of this unique destination, starting with their purchase of Casa de Consuelo.
You’ll find their legacy impact lives on in the resort’s very name – “Faywood” – cleverly combining Fay and Lockwood’s surnames. The property had previously been known as Hudson Hot Springs when they acquired it. Drawing inspiration from places like The American Spa, they sought to create a world-class healing destination.
- McDermott’s personal healing experience at the springs inspired the development
- The partners acquired existing structures and expanded facilities
- Their vision transformed a remote hot spring into a world-class resort
- McDermott’s 47-year stewardship provided essential continuity
- The founding trio’s influence set foundations for future generations
While Fay and Lockwood departed early, McDermott’s dedication until his death in 1947 cemented the resort’s enduring reputation.
Golden Age Hotel Life
During the resort’s golden age from 1900-1920, Faywood Hot Springs Hotel emerged as a premier destination blending therapeutic wellness with luxurious comfort.
You’d find yourself among 125 guests enjoying the sprawling 900-foot veranda and courtyard designed to maximize the healing desert surroundings.
The resort amenities catered to every aspect of guest experiences, from the sophisticated writing room and parlors to the entertaining billiard room and barber shop.
Your room featured cutting-edge comforts with hot and cold running spring water, large windows, and geothermal heating.
The dining room and social spaces buzzed with military personnel and health seekers, all drawn to the springs’ therapeutic qualities.
Whether you sought relief from ailments or simply needed escape, Faywood’s innovative fusion of natural healing and refined hospitality set new standards for early 20th-century resorts.
Modern guests can now choose between staying in standard cabins equipped with queen beds for a more private experience.
Military Connection Boosts Tourism
While Camp Cody’s establishment near Deming marked a turning point for regional tourism, Faywood Hot Springs emerged as the premier destination for military personnel and their families. The 34th Infantry “Sandstorm Division” brought consistent military patronage that transformed this remote oasis into a bustling resort destination.
You’ll discover the significant tourism impact Camp Cody had on Faywood’s success during this golden era:
- The 125-room hotel operated at peak capacity during the military boom
- Soldiers sought relief in the therapeutic mineral waters between deployments
- Spring-fed hot and cold water systems provided modern comfort throughout
- The 900-foot veranda became a social hub for military families
- The resort’s reputation for “excellent accommodations” spread through military circles
This wartime prosperity defined Faywood’s most successful chapter, though it would fade after Camp Cody’s closure.
Golden Age: The Faywood Hot Springs Hotel Era
You’d have found the resort architecture truly remarkable, with its sprawling single-story design accommodating up to 125 guests.
The hotel boasted a stunning 900-foot veranda wrapping around a three-sided courtyard.
Inside, you’d have enjoyed modern amenities like piped-in hot springs water in guest rooms, a grand dining room, billiards, and a barber shop.
The innovative design featured outdoor room entrances and large windows for natural ventilation.
Even the Governor of New Mexico recognized Faywood as one of the territory’s finest hot springs establishments in 1904.
The Chicago White Stockings conducted their spring training at this luxurious establishment in 1899, highlighting its prominence as a premier destination.
World War I and Military Connections
As World War I transformed the American Southwest, Faywood Hot Springs emerged as a treasured retreat for soldiers stationed at nearby Camp Cody in Deming, New Mexico. The resort’s therapeutic benefits drew steady military patronage, with soldiers and their families making the short 30-minute drive to soak in the mineral-rich waters. The hot springs’ origins traced back to when Apache tribes held them sacred, attracting visitors long before the military presence. The area’s rich history included the Mimbres people who cultivated crops along nearby streams until 1250 AD.
- The resort expanded facilities to accommodate up to 125 guests, with piped hot spring water in rooms.
- Soldiers found relief from training stress through mineral baths.
- Tom McDermott’s ownership capitalized on wartime visitors, enhancing amenities.
- Military personnel and families created a thriving community atmosphere.
- The springs’ reputation for healing properties spread throughout Camp Cody.
This golden era of military connection wouldn’t last forever. When Camp Cody closed after the war, Faywood’s bustling wartime popularity began to fade.
Decades of Decline and Industrial Ownership
After World War I, you’ll find Faywood Hot Springs‘ once-bustling resort fell into steady decline until its hotel’s demolition in 1952, leaving only adobe foundations to mark its former glory.
Today, visitors can enjoy both clothing optional pools and traditional bathing areas, marking a dramatic shift from its abandoned past.
You can trace the property’s transformation through a series of mining company ownerships – first Chino Mines, then Kennecott Copper, and finally Phelps Dodge – who maintained industrial control but let the site languish as a ghost town.
The decades of mining company ownership lasted until 1993, when private buyers finally restored the site’s original purpose as a hot springs destination.
Post-War Hotel Demolition
Since reaching its peak during World War I, when Camp Cody military personnel boosted its patronage, the Faywood Hot Springs Hotel experienced a steady decline that culminated in its demolition in 1952.
The post-war impact left an indelible mark on this once-thriving establishment that could host up to 125 guests in its heyday. While the hotel’s legacy lives on in local memory, you can still find traces of its grand past.
- The distinctive adobe foundation remained after demolition
- Tom McDermott, an original hotel partner, lived there until 1947
- The 900-foot veranda and three-sided courtyard defined its unique architecture
- Guest rooms featured outdoor entrances and thermal spring water heating
- The property included amenities like a billiard room, gun room, and barber shop
Mining Companies Take Over
The demolition of Faywood Hot Springs Hotel marked the beginning of a darker chapter in the property’s history.
You’ll find that mining companies swooped in during the mid-20th century, shifting the land’s purpose from recreation to resource extraction. Under mining ownership, the once-bustling resort fell into disrepair as industrial priorities took precedence.
These companies didn’t just change ownership – they transformed the entire landscape. Their operations introduced pollutants that threatened the springs’ water quality and disrupted the natural geology that made Faywood special.
The surrounding communities dwindled as tourism dollars dried up, and the area began its descent into ghost town status. While some later attempts were made to restore public access, the industrial era’s environmental impact left lasting scars that continue to challenge preservation efforts today.
Ghost Town Years
Once the resort’s demolition was complete in 1952, Faywood Hot Springs slipped into decades of quiet abandonment.
You’ll find the once-bustling destination transformed into a ghost town, where industrial owners held the land without reviving its former glory. The economic decline left only scattered ranches and minimal infrastructure where tourists once flocked.
During these dormant years, nature began reclaiming the landscape while the springs maintained their constant 129°F temperature.
You’ll discover these remarkable features of the ghost town period:
- The hot springs formed a mineral cone half a mile around and 40 feet high
- Local wildlife and vegetation flourished with minimal human interference
- A few resilient structures, including the post office and church, survived
- Archaeological treasures emerged, revealing prehistoric tools and pottery
- The therapeutic waters continued flowing, waiting to be rediscovered
Modern Revival: A New Chapter Since 1993
In 1993, local entrepreneurs Elon Yurwit and Wanda Fuselier breathed new life into Faywood Hot Springs by purchasing the historic property from mining giant Phelps Dodge, who’d kept it fenced off since the early 1980s.
Their vision transformed this once-abandoned site into a vibrant wellness tourism destination where you’ll find modern amenities while honoring the land’s sacred heritage.
You can now choose from multiple soaking options, with pool temperatures ranging from 95°F to 110°F.
Whether you prefer swimsuit-required areas, clothing-optional pools, or private soaking, there’s a spot for your comfort level.
The resort offers diverse lodging choices, from rustic tent camping to RV sites and cozy cabins.
As you soak, you might spot peacocks roaming nearby, adding to the unique charm of this revived desert oasis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Healing Minerals Are Found in Faywood Hot Springs’ Waters?
You’ll find waters rich in healing properties through its mineral composition of calcium, magnesium, sodium, and bicarbonate, plus beneficial trace elements like lithium, selenium, and zinc.
How Deep Are the Natural Geothermal Springs at Faywood?
You’ll find Faywood’s geothermal activity originates from spring depths between 3,500 to 4,500 feet underground, where deeply circulating groundwater is naturally heated by the region’s elevated crustal heat flow.
Are There Any Ghost Stories Associated With the Historic Hotel Site?
Like whispers echoing through time, you’ll find rich haunted history at Faywood’s hotel ruins. Visitors report spectral sightings of a woman in period dress, mysterious piano music, and shadowy figures near the springs.
What Was the Original Purchase Price of the Land in 1993?
You won’t find public records of the exact land acquisition price when Yurwit and Fuselier bought from Phelps Dodge in 1993. The property valuation details remain private from this transaction.
Do Any Original Artifacts From the Historic Hotel Remain on Site?
Despite Instagram-worthy potential, you won’t find any original artifacts from the historic hotel on-site today. Sources don’t indicate any historic preservation of physical items from Faywood’s early resort days.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faywood_Hot_Springs
- https://faywoodhotsprings.com/about-us
- https://www.nmhistorymuseum.org/exhibition/details/4974/curative-powers-new-mexicos-hot-springs
- https://thedyrt.com/camping/new-mexico/faywood-hot-springs-rv-resort
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g28952-i227-k5243971-Faywood_hot_springs_has_reopened-New_Mexico.html
- https://kids.kiddle.co/Faywood_Hot_Springs
- https://newmexicotravelguy.com/faywood-hot-springs-city-of-rocks/
- https://hotspringers.net/faywood-hot-springs/
- http://www.donaanacountyhistsoc.org/HistoricalReview/1995/HistoricalReview1995.pdf
- http://blackrange.org/the-human-history-of-the/towns-of-the-black-range/the-lower-mimbres/faywood-springs-report.pdf
