Madrid New Mexico – this little community was started in 1890 and incorporated in 1895. This was a true company town of its day, owned by a series of different coal mining companies. In those days, Madrid was known as “coal gulch.” At the height of mining, Madrid supported over 2,000 residents. As the west electrified in the early 1900’s, coal mining slowed to a stop and the town died.
In the 1960’s and 1970’s artists relocated to Madrid creating an eclectic artist’s enclave. Today Madrid is one of the highlights along the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Madrid’s population today is under 250.
Do some of the photos look vaguely familiar? Maybe you’ve watched the movie Wild Hogs with Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William Macy, and Ray Liotta. The movie was filmed in Madrid and they are very proud of this part of their history.
If you are traveling between Albuquerque and Santa Fe and have some time, I highly recommend heading East on I-40 and up State Road 14, aka the Turquoise Trail.
https://www.turquoisetrail.org/
Madrid Baseball Field
Madrid, New Mexico – there’s another story to Marid beyond mining and art, and that is baseball. Oscar Huber, owner of the mining company in Madrid in the early 1900’s wanted to provide off hours activities for his miners. Oscar was concerned his employees would burn their paychecks on liquor and women. So in 1920 he built a baseball field. Baseball became a source of exercise, community building, and town pride.
For years the Madrid Miners played in AA league with other local teams from Las Vegas (New Mexico), Santa Fe, and other surrounding towns. Local miners and high school boys comprised most of the roster. The Sunday games were so popular they drew thousands of fans to the tiny ball field.
The stadium has a long and interesting history of development. The grandstand was erected in 1928 and fully refurbished in 2014. In 1935 members of the WPA built the stone walls and dugouts. This field is the first west of the Mississippi River to have lights.
Today the field serves as the community gathering grounds and hosts holiday events, a rodeo, and yes…community softball games.
Anyone with an interest in what an old time ball park looks like, this is it. Come out and soak in the history of baseball at the ballpark in Madrid.
A lot of baseball history buffs have visited and written about this little park. Below are just a couple of links.
https://wandernewmexico.com/…/madrid-new-mexico-hidden…
https://www.charliesballparks.com/st/NM-Madrid-Huber.htm
https://panethos.wordpress.com/…/an-enchanting-old…/
