You’ll find the ghost town of Twining tucked away in New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where it emerged as a mining settlement in 1893. Banker Albert C. Twining invested $300,000 in copper mining operations, but technical failures and financial mismanagement led to the town’s collapse by 1910. While the original structures haven’t survived, the site’s legacy lives on through Taos Ski Valley, which transformed the abandoned mining town into a premier winter destination in 1955.
Key Takeaways
- Twining was established in 1893 as a mining town in New Mexico’s Amizette district, initially pursuing copper, gold, and silver deposits.
- Albert C. Twining invested $300,000 in mining operations and built a smelter, but technical failures led to bankruptcy by 1910.
- The town faced violent conflicts, including armed robberies, vigilante justice, and ethnic tensions among Hispanic, Native American, and Anglo miners.
- A devastating mill fire in 1942 and widespread abandonment transformed Twining into a ghost town with no original structures remaining.
- The ghost town site was acquired in 1955 by Ernie Blake and developed into what is now the Taos Ski Valley resort.
The Birth of a Mining Dream
Deep in New Mexico Territory‘s rugged landscape, the story of Twining began in 1893 with the establishment of the Amizette mining district in Taos County.
You’ll find its roots intertwined with the territory’s broader mining evolution, which had transformed from Spanish-era turquoise extraction to a rush for precious metals after 1848.
The district emerged during a period of remarkable mining innovations, as prospectors finally ventured into southwestern territories previously deemed too dangerous due to Indian conflicts. Like the ancient craft of twining strands together, the miners wove their way through the challenging terrain in search of riches.
When William Frazer discovered rich copper and gold deposits in 1902, you could sense the economic fluctuations about to reshape the region.
Frazer’s discovery caught the eye of New Jersey banker Albert C. Twining, who invested $300,000 in an ambitious smelter project – a decision that would seal the district’s fate.
The area’s development accelerated as several hundred miners flocked to the community between 1900 and 1930, transforming it from a remote outpost into a bustling mining settlement.
Albert C. Twining’s Vision and Downfall
While fortune seekers had long eyed New Mexico’s mineral wealth, Albert C. Twining’s ambition led him to pour $300,000 into a mining venture that would ultimately crumble.
The Southwestern Social Science Quarterly published detailed accounts of this fascinating mining speculation story.
You can trace the downfall of this New Jersey banker’s dream through these key events:
- He acquired controlling interest in Fraser Mountain operations, establishing a town at the junction of Lake Fork and East Fork.
- His massive investment in a smelting plant failed to overcome transport and processing challenges.
- Financial mismanagement and legal troubles caught up with him, leading to indictment and eventual imprisonment.
- Within a decade, miners abandoned the town as ore yields proved inconsistent and operations became unprofitable.
The ghost town of Twining stands as a monument to the harsh realities that can shatter even the grandest mining dreams. Today, the area has transformed into part of the Taos Ski Valley, attracting visitors year-round for outdoor recreation.
Copper Mining Operations and Struggles
Three major challenges doomed copper mining operations in Twining from the start.
When William Frazer discovered copper deposits in 1902, inadequate mining technology couldn’t efficiently process the complex ores. You’d have seen this most dramatically when the $300,000 smelter failed on its first firing, with molten ore freezing to the furnace walls.
The copper extraction process proved too costly without proper infrastructure, and fluctuating market prices made profitability even more elusive. The situation worsened until the mill burned down in 1932.
The final blow came when Albert C. Twining’s embezzlement conviction disrupted the operation’s financing. Even attempts by William Fraser and local bankers to salvage the mining venture couldn’t overcome these technical and economic hurdles.
Power Struggles and Violence
Mining operations weren’t the only source of turmoil in Twining’s brief existence. The town, like many frontier mining communities, struggled with lawlessness and violence that shaped its destiny.
You’d find a complex web of conflicts that tore at the fabric of daily life:
- Vigilante justice emerged as citizens lost faith in corrupt authorities, leading to extrajudicial punishments and mob violence.
- Armed robberies targeted mining payrolls, with brutal assaults leaving lasting trauma on the community.
- Bitter disputes erupted over land ownership and mineral rights, often escalating into armed confrontations.
- Ethnic tensions flared as Hispanic, Native American, and Anglo miners competed for limited jobs and resources.
Father Myer documented that frequent shootings plagued the community, with little intervention from law enforcement.
Similar to Muggyon’s infamous 1912 payroll heist, criminal activity contributed to the town’s reputation for danger and lawlessness.
These power struggles ultimately contributed to Twining’s downfall, as violence and instability drove away residents and undermined the town’s economic foundation.
The Decline of Mining Activities
As copper prices soared to 33 cents per pound during World War I, Twining’s prospects seemed promising, but the post-war crash to 10 cents by 1921 devastated local mining operations.
You’d find that economic volatility had already plagued the area since its establishment in 1893, when early mining ventures failed within just two years.
Even when new deposits sparked hope in 1902, mining challenges proved insurmountable. A $300,000 smelter investment ended in disaster when molten ore froze inside the furnace, leading to bankruptcy.
The costly smelter failure in 1902 sealed Twining’s fate, as frozen ore brought mining dreams to an abrupt, devastating end.
This economic instability mirrored the challenges faced by towns like Raton, where eight coalmines once sustained thousands of workers before declining sharply in the late 1990s.
By 1910, you couldn’t find an active mine left in Twining. The town’s struggles reflected broader mining declines across New Mexico, where extraction costs frequently exceeded market prices.
Like many mining communities, Twining couldn’t survive the boom-and-bust cycle, remaining abandoned until its 1955 transformation into Taos Ski Valley.
From Mining Town to Ski Resort
After Twining’s mines closed in the early 1900s, you wouldn’t see much activity until Ernie Blake acquired the land in 1955 and transformed the abandoned mining site into what’s now Taos Ski Valley.
You can trace the rapid development from the installation of the first J-bar lift in 1956 to the opening of the iconic Snakedance slope in 1957, with the Blakes initially living in an 11-foot camper without electricity.
Today, you’ll find a world-class resort featuring 110 trails across varying difficulty levels, though virtually no physical remnants remain of the original mining village that once occupied this stunning location in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. With 300 inches of snow falling annually, the former mining town has become one of New Mexico’s premier winter destinations. The terrain now offers diverse skill levels, with 24% beginner trails, 25% intermediate runs, and 51% expert slopes.
Mining Roots to Recreation
Deeply rooted in the mountains of northern New Mexico, Twining’s transformation from failed mining venture to recreational haven began in 1955 when visionary Ernie Blake acquired the abandoned townsite.
This ghost town’s recreational transformation into Taos Ski Valley brought new life to a location once plagued by mining disasters and financial scandals.
You’ll find these key developments marked the area’s evolution:
- The last physical trace of mining operations vanished when the mill burned in 1932
- Blake’s acquisition transformed the former mining site into a thriving ski resort
- Year-round activities replaced the boom-and-bust cycle of mineral extraction
- The resort created sustainable tourism jobs, diversifying the local economy
Today, you can experience world-class skiing where miners once searched for copper and gold, marking a complete shift from extraction to recreation.
Transformation Through The Years
When mining operations failed and bankruptcy struck in 1910, Twining entered a prolonged period of abandonment that would last over four decades.
You’d have found little more than a deteriorating ghost town, with its $300,000 copper smelter frozen and useless, and its mill later destroyed by suspected arson in 1942.
The site’s recreational evolution began in 1955 when Ernie Blake purchased the land, sparking its transformation from industrial wasteland to vibrant ski destination.
As mining remnants were cleared away, ecological restoration naturally progressed – aspens reclaimed fire-scarred slopes while new ski infrastructure reshaped the terrain.
You’ll now find a thriving resort where mining scars once dominated, though whispers of Twining’s industrial past still echo through local stories and the valley’s transformed landscape.
Modern Ski Valley Operations
The transformation of Twining into Taos Ski Valley began in 1956 with the installation of a single J-bar lift, marking the humble start of what would become one of North America’s premier ski destinations.
As you explore today’s modern resort, you’ll find incredible ski lift innovations and snow sports evolution that have completely reimagined the former mining town.
Here’s what you’ll discover at today’s Taos Ski Valley:
- Modern high-speed lifts serving 110 diverse trails
- The renowned Ernie Blake Snowsports School offering world-class instruction
- Sustainable operations under conservation-minded ownership since 2013
- Enhanced transportation options connecting you to regional hubs
You’re witnessing a remarkable evolution from Twining’s mining roots to a cutting-edge ski resort that maintains its unique character while embracing modern amenities and sustainable practices.
Legacy in New Mexico Mining History
Located in Taos County’s mining heartland, Twining stands as a tribute to New Mexico’s tumultuous mining era of the late 1800s.
Originally called Amizette, the district emerged in 1893 pursuing copper, gold, and silver deposits first worked by Spanish miners in the 1600s. The area’s economic volatility became evident when banker Albert C. Twining’s $300,000 smelter investment failed catastrophically, leading to the town’s decline by 1910.
Though short-lived, Twining’s story reflects the broader challenges of mining technology in early New Mexico.
You’ll find its legacy in the evolution from basic ore extraction to industrial-scale operations, highlighting how smaller districts struggled against technical limitations while larger operations, like Santa Rita’s open-pit mines, ultimately dominated the state’s mining landscape.
Preserving Twining’s Story
Modern preservation efforts face significant hurdles at Twining’s former site, where virtually no original structures remain from its mining heyday.
Despite these challenges, you’ll find the historical narratives of this fascinating ghost town preserved through various means.
Today’s preservation strategies include:
- Documentation through precise geographical coordinates (36°35′41″N 105°27′01″W) to maintain site accuracy
- Integration of Twining’s story into broader New Mexican mining history educational programs
- Potential development of virtual reconstructions and multimedia presentations near Taos Ski Valley
- Community engagement through local historical societies maintaining regional ghost town narratives
While traditional conservation methods aren’t viable due to the site’s transformation into Taos Ski Valley, there’s opportunity to keep Twining’s legacy alive through interpretive media and academic research that captures its unique place in New Mexico’s mining heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Was the Average Population of Twining During Its Peak Mining Years?
You’ll find the average population during peak mining years reached roughly 300-400 residents, though exact numbers weren’t formally recorded during the active period between 1900-1910.
Were There Any Schools or Churches Established in Twining?
You won’t find schools or churches in those early days – there’s no documented school history or church significance during Twining’s short-lived mining period before its 1910 abandonment.
What Happened to the Mining Equipment After the Town Was Abandoned?
You’ll find that harsh weather and neglect caused most mining equipment to deteriorate naturally, while some pieces were likely scavenged for scrap. The area’s transformation into a ski resort removed remaining traces.
Did Native American Tribes Have Any Involvement With the Mining Operations?
Despite 90+ tribes historically residing in New Mexico, you won’t find evidence of Native American involvement in Twining’s mining operations. The town’s brief 1893-1910 history shows only European-American control and investment.
What Was the Total Value of Copper Extracted From Twining’s Mines?
You can’t determine the exact value of copper production from this mining history, as no detailed financial records were documented during Twining’s brief 1893-1895 operations in this small-scale venture.
References
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/42866784
- https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/nm/twining.html
- https://www.newmexico.org/places-to-visit/ghost-towns/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roxbUX0ehT8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w1stnnw0do
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twining
- https://agmc.info/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/New-Mexico-documents/New_Mexico_Mining_History.pdf
- https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/publications/periodicals/nmg/18/n2/nmg_v18_n2_p25.pdf
- https://nmgs.nmt.edu/publications/guidebooks/downloads/35/35_p0187_p0191.pdf
- https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/76405a54-bdf0-44ac-9402-b052fbd73b4b
