You’ll find Faywood, New Mexico’s ghost town story begins with sacred Mimbres springs (750-1250 AD) that became a luxurious territorial resort. Andrew Graham’s Casa del Consuelo, completed in 1896, was New Mexico Territory’s first hotel with running water, hosting the Chicago Cubs’ spring training. After devastating fires and post-WWI decline, the town was abandoned by 1952, though today’s visitors can explore adobe ruins while soaking in the same thermal waters that attracted ancient peoples and territorial elites alike.
Key Takeaways
- Faywood became a ghost town by 1952 after post-World War I tourism declined and the resort faced financial ruin.
- The town originated around sacred Native American thermal springs used by Mimbres people and Apaches for centuries.
- Casa del Consuelo resort (1896) was New Mexico Territory’s first hotel with running water, hosting elite guests and Chicago Cubs.
- A devastating 1892 fire destroyed the original Hudson Hot Springs resort, leading to the Hudson family’s financial collapse.
- Today visitors can explore adobe ruins and foundation remains while enjoying the restored hot springs destination.
Ancient Springs and Native American Heritage
Long before European explorers set foot in the American Southwest, the Mimbres people recognized Faywood’s thermal springs as a sacred healing site.
From 750-1250 AD, villagers from nearby pueblos traveled here to utilize the warm waters for ancient rituals and healing practices. You’ll find evidence of their presence in mortar holes carved into the tufa dome, where they ground food, and pottery fragments discovered during 1896 construction work.
The Apaches also frequented these springs, using them as winter warming spots before migrating to higher elevations.
The Apaches found seasonal refuge in these healing waters, gathering strength before their journey to cooler mountain territories.
These nomadic hunter-gatherers left circular depressions in the tufa and various artifacts including stone tools, flint, pottery, and copper spoons. The springs maintained their significance through various name changes, being known as Bull Spring, Mimbres Hot Springs, and Hudson Hot Springs throughout history.
The area’s volcanic origins can be traced back 35 million years, creating the geological foundation that makes these healing waters possible today.
Both cultures understood what you’d recognize today – the springs’ therapeutic power flowing from deep underground.
The Golden Age of Casa Del Consuelo Resort
While Native Americans had revered these healing waters for centuries, Andrew Graham transformed the site into the Territory’s most luxurious destination when he purchased the property in 1894.
By 1896, he’d completed the magnificent 60-room Casa del Consuelo, meaning “House of Delight.” You’d have experienced New Mexico Territory’s first hotel with hot and cold running water, luxury amenities including wooden bathtubs and a grand new bathhouse.
The resort’s historical significance peaked during the early 1900s when Camp Cody’s military buildup brought prominent visitors worldwide. The establishment featured intricate woodwork and period furnishings that reflected the grandeur and elegance characteristic of turn-of-the-century hospitality.
You’d have rubbed shoulders with the Chicago Cubs, who held spring training here and earned their “Rancheros and Rough Riders” nicknames. Players engaged in cowboy-themed activities such as mock train robberies, bronco riding, and lariat skills during their stay. The 1904 Governor’s report praised the excellent accommodations that consistently attracted elite guests via the nearby railway station.
Fire, War, and the Path to Abandonment
Despite the resort’s early success, disaster struck in 1892 when a devastating fire completely destroyed the original Hudson Hot Springs resort.
You’ll find the fire aftermath devastating—the Hudsons had invested everything into their spa operation, and their expired insurance left them without recovery means. They’d operated successfully for ten years before losing it all.
However, the early 1900s brought unexpected revival through military impact from nearby Camp Cody in Deming. Despite the challenges, the springs continued to draw visitors with their 142°F temperatures, among the hottest in the Southwest.
Military presence at nearby Camp Cody unexpectedly breathed new life into the struggling hot springs resort during the early 1900s.
World War I soldiers, families, and friends flocked to Casa del Consuelo, creating peak tourism activity. You’d have witnessed thriving business during this military boom.
Yet prosperity didn’t last. After the war ended, military guests disappeared, revenues plummeted, and the hotel faced demolition. Like Lake Valley’s experience, the post office closure marked the final transition to ghost town status.
Tom Hudson remained until his 1947 death, but by 1952, Faywood became a ghost town.
Modern Resurrection as a Hot Springs Destination
After forty-five years as an abandoned ghost town, Faywood experienced an unexpected renaissance when Elon Yurwit and Wanda Fuselier purchased the property in 1993.
They transformed this desolate landscape into a thriving hot springs destination, breathing new life into what mining companies had left behind.
The couple’s vision created a unique community revival centered around the natural thermal waters that bubble up at 125-130°F.
Today’s visitors discover:
- Private cabins and RV sites across 1,200 acres of high desert oasis
- Multiple soaking pools ranging from 95-110°F for different comfort levels
- Clothing-optional and traditional bathing areas accommodating diverse preferences
- Massage therapy, horseback riding, and stargazing activities
The healing properties of these mineral-rich waters provide natural relief for muscle tightness and support overall wellness.
Guests can enjoy accommodations ranging from tent sites to fully-equipped RV hookups and private cabins for varying comfort preferences.
This resurrection proves how natural resources can anchor sustainable tourism, offering freedom-seeking travelers an authentic escape from conventional resort experiences.
Exploring Faywood and Nearby Attractions Today
Beyond the rejuvenated hot springs resort, you’ll discover that Faywood’s location positions you perfectly for exploring southwestern New Mexico’s most compelling attractions.
You’ll find remnants of the original settlement scattered across the desert landscape—adobe wall stubs, a metal dome covering the historic spring, and foundation remains from the 1952 hotel demolition.
City of Rocks State Park sits halfway between Silver City and Deming, offering outstanding camping among 35-million-year-old volcanic formations. The park provides scenic views and numerous outdoor activities for visitors seeking adventure in this unique geological wonderland.
Experience extraordinary camping surrounded by ancient volcanic rock sculptures that have stood sentinel in the New Mexico desert for millennia.
You can wander through dramatic rock landscapes and discover ancient Mimbres grinding sites alongside early petroglyphs.
The scenic routes along Highway 180 and Highway 61 connect you to historic landmarks throughout Grant County, where mining heritage meets Native American history on these freedom-filled desert byways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Specific Minerals Are Found in Faywood’s Hot Springs Water?
You’ll strike gold discovering Faywood’s mineral composition includes sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, bicarbonate, silicon, iron, lithium, strontium, fluoride, silica, sulfates, alumina, radium, and opal, delivering therapeutic benefits through these naturally occurring elements.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit the Current Hot Springs Resort?
You’ll pay $18.25 for adult day-use entry fees at the public pools, while children cost $8.75-$9.75. Seniors and veterans receive 10% seasonal discounts on all services including massages and camping.
Are the Original Hotel Foundations Still Visible at the Site Today?
You won’t find the original hotel foundations today – they’re buried beneath modern resort development since 1993. These historical hotel remnants lost their visibility when new construction prioritized geothermal pools over preserving archaeological significance.
What Evidence Exists of the Apache Man Found in the Spring?
You’ll find the 1896 discovery documented through construction records and court-martial proceedings. The Apache legend carries spiritual significance, though physical evidence remains limited to historical accounts and archaeological artifacts found nearby.
Who Owns the Current Faywood Hot Springs Resort Operation?
Dave Shirk owns Faywood Hot Springs’ current operations, managing the resort since 2011. You’ll find this ownership history documented through business profiles and his signed responses as owner through 2025’s resort management records.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faywood_Hot_Springs
- https://newmexicotravelguy.com/faywood-hot-springs-city-of-rocks/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_1iT_a-Wzw
- https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/nm/faywoodhotsprings.html
- https://scholarworks.utep.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=0&article=1180&context=edge_texas&type=additional
- https://onesearch.library.wwu.edu/discovery/fulldisplay/alma9977319200001453/01ALLIANCE_WWU:WWU
- https://www.theoutbound.com/united-states/new-mexico/faywood
- https://www.newmexico.org/listing/city-of-rocks-state-park/2145/
- https://kids.kiddle.co/Faywood_Hot_Springs
- https://faywoodhotsprings.com/about-us
