Red River
Red River boasts an exciting and colorful history complete with Indians, mountain men, trappers, gamblers, outlaws and miners, plus the boom and bust cycles of the raw frontier. Ute and Jicarilla Apaches fought the nearby pueblos and roamed the area without restraint until they were moved to reservations in 1876. Abundant fur-bearing game attracted trappers to the area in the early 1800’s. Prospectors followed in the 1860’s. They were spurred on by the Elizabethtown gold rush and construction of the Big Ditch. Red River’s population soared with “get-rich-quick” fever and the good and bad moved in by the hundreds. Among the latter was the dreaded and colorful Black Jack Ketchum who took time out from robbing to charm the ladies at area dances.
Gold, silver and copper mines operated in the Red River area until 1925. Most were located in Bitter Creek, Goose Creek, Pioneer, Mallette and upper Red River Canyons. Molybdenum was discovered in the lower Red River Canyon in 1901. Originally thought to be graphite, the mineral’s importance and strengthening element in the manufacture of steel was proven in 1916. The first “moly” mill was built in 1921-22. The huge mine still is in operation.
The first area land was homesteaded in the late 1800’s by Ed Westobey and the three Mallette brothers, Orin, George and Sylvester. In 1905, Red River had a population of 3,000 complete with 15 saloons, four hotels, two newspapers, a barbershop, a hospital, a sawmill and an active red light district. The first log schoolhouse had been built 10 years earlier. Mrs. Ida Phipps was the teacher. The original structure burned in 1915 and was replaced by the Red School House, which still stands. Turn of the century mining failures caused Red River to become a ghost town that flickered to life briefly in 1912 when mining was reactivated.
In the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, Red River was designated “mountain playground” by tourists escaping the dust bowl. In 1928, Jack Munden built tourist cabins on the site of the present-day Riverside Lodge. The Pioneer Camp Site once held cabins built by Will Johnson. In 1930, he added a grocery store and gas pump. At the same time, Mr. Clapper’s rental units at the Grand View location were built. Horace Johnson put in a grocery store across from the Miners’ Hospital and the future was set.
Red River’s excellent climate, beautiful scenery and varied activities… skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, square dancing, sight seeing, etc. assure the growth and continuation of Red River’s exciting history.
Information courtesy of the Red River Historical Society.
Townsite platted in 1895 by E.I. Jones. Town incorporated in March, 1971; first mayor: David Stutlz. Town hall built in 1977. Post office established in 1893; first postmaster: J.B. Young. Red School House built in 1915; operated until 1941. Community House started in 1940 by summer home owners. Public library started in 1982 with funds collected by Fanny Bliss from town residents. Existing ski area began construction in 1958. Old Red River Pass built in 1916; New Bobcat Pass in 1964.
Historic Buildings
Red School House [pressed metal] on Jayhawk Trail.
Pierce-Fuller House [log] on west High Street and Silver Bell Trail
Brigham J. Young House [brick] on east Main street and Golden Treasure Trail.
Silvester Mallette Cabin [log] on River Street and Copper King Trail.
Orin Mallette House [log] west of town [River Ranch].
Melson-Oldham Cabin [log] east of town (now a private museum at Tall Pine Resort).
The Buildings listed above have been named on the National Register of Historic Places. The buildings listed below are under consideration.
Red River Miners’ Hospital [pressed metal] on east High Street and Jay Hawk Trail.
Ed Westobey Cabin [log] behind Miners’ Hospital.
Local Books
Wagon Days in Red River by Winifred Oldham Hamilton
Red River Trails by J. Hush Pierce
Tillie: An American Life by Tillie Simion
Red River Community House by Ruth Yeager
The Big Hill by Kenneth C. Balcomb
(Available at local stores and at the public library)
Museums
Tall Pine Resort Private Museum – open to the publc by appointment.