White Oaks, Memoirs of a Ghost Town
By: J. Young

In the heart of New Mexico, about 5 miles Northeast of Carrizozo, between the Jicarilla Mountains and Capitan Mountain at 6,329 ft. in elevation is where the boomtown, White Oaks, once blossomed.

White Oaks experienced a surge in population in 1879 when Gold Lode was found in the Jicarilla Mountains. The town’s Main Street saw a significant increase in businesses, most of which were housed in temporary structures like wood shacks and tents. With the town’s growth, these structures were soon replaced with more durable materials such as rock, adobe, and brick. White Oaks became known for its unique structures, including pitched-roof homes and Victorian-style houses that provided a modern edge to the area. Furthermore, pitched-roof homes were an efficient means of collecting rainwater, thereby increasing its popularity. Overall, the history and architectural evolution of White Oaks is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the residents who helped create a vibrant community amidst challenging circumstances.
During the late 19th century, White Oaks boomed as a prosperous town in the territory thanks to increased mining operations. A new mill which was established below the new town supplied water from White Oak spring, while coal deposits nearby provided steam power for the mine and mills. A reliable stagecoach service was established to Carthage and Fort Stanton for a fee ranging from 5-15 dollars. In addition, other businesses such as saloons, blacksmith shops, general stores, hotels, dentists, physicians, and law offices were established. The main street of the town also saw the installation of a new water line and the establishment of the first newspaper called the Golden Era in 1881. The town’s prominent buildings included the Bonnell Opera House, Hewitt Block Building which hosted Exchange Bank, and, the ever famous Little Casino Saloon, Anderson and Fredericks saloon, Joseph Biggs blacksmith, Bond and Stewart general store, J A Brother’s Hotel, Ganton Frenchie blacksmith, B.A. Shapley dentist, M. Wardell physician, the brown store, the Bonnell Opera House and the Hewitt block building which housed the Exchange Bank on the first floor, with several law offices upstairs.
The town’s early years were defined by the establishment of a Watermill which effectively supplied water to its inhabitants. The discovery of a nearby coal deposit ushered in a new era, as steam power became available to drive the mill and power the mine. During this time, The Golden Era, a newspaper company was established. Though it lasted for only a short period, it served the area well until other newspapers came to the fore. While saloons and brothels were prevalent in the area, most of the citizens hailed from respectable Eastern backgrounds; as reflected in the town’s values, which prioritized decency and respectability. Therefore, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that the town’s slogan could have been “We do not tolerate scum.”

After the death of her husband during the Lincoln County War, Susan Mcsween found a safe haven at White Oaks. With financial assistance from John Tunstall’s family in England, she was able to rebuild her life and even served as the executor of Tunstall’s estate. In 1880, she wed George Barber, and was gifted 40 cattle by Chisum. After divorcing Barber, Susan continued to grow her wealth by acquiring more than 1158 acres of land bordering the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation and the Three Rivers Ranch. With over 5000 head of cattle, as well as a small vein of silver, she became one of the wealthiest people in the area. In 1902, she sold her ranch and moved into town, remaining in White Oaks until her passing in 1931.

Madam Vranish was a colorful character in the history of White Oaks. She arrived in town with her three daughters after a man claimed to be the treasurer of a neighboring County and fell in love with her. Despite their brief relationship, Madam promised to marry him if he provided for her family. They left for Roswell, and the wedding ceremony was performed two days later. However, the groom accused her of robbing him of $3,500 on their wedding night, and she was arrested but released on her own recognizance until the day of trial. She then visited the treasurer and informed him that if he pressed charges, she would accuse him of stealing $3,500 of County funds. Madam was never brought to trial and later established her family’s business at the little Casino.
The Hoyle Castle, situated on the southern part of the town, was an exemplary construction of Victorian architecture. The house was crafted using high-quality stone and brick and boasted of beautifully crafted stained glass windows, hand-carved pine, and a top-notch lead pipe water system. The house was replete with exquisite decorations. Its owner, Mr. Hoyle, had built the house for his beloved wife-to-be. However, after completion, he sent for her to White Oaks, but she inexplicably rejected both him and the house, and subsequently left. Despite this unexpected turn of events, Mr. Hoyle continued to reside in the house for several years before eventually moving out.

Dan Dietrich, a friend of Billy the Kid, owned a Livery stable in White Oaks not far from Billy the Kid’s attorney Ira Leonard was located and resided. An investigation began when Billy Wilson sold his stable to the Dietrichs and was later found to be using counterfeit money. Agent Wild was dispatched to Lincoln county to conduct an investigation. As part of his investigation, Agent Wild visited White Oaks disguised as a miner. He discreetly gathered intelligence on Wilson’s whereabouts and activities within the area. Local law enforcement was informed of Agent Wild’s visit and provided assistance when necessary. Dietrich’s Stable can be seen in the first image below.
During the late 1890s, the Santa Fe and the El Paso-Northeastern railroads planned to extend the railroad to White Oaks. However, landowners and businessmen in town requested high prices for their land, hindering negotiations. Despite this, the railroad could not wait for prolonged negotiations and laid the track South of Carrizozo.Unfortunately, the peak of prosperity was over and the mines began to run dry of gold and coal. Mining production slowed and the gold market collapsed, resulting in a decrease in the population of White Oaks. By 1910, only around 200 residents remained.

The town of White Oaks is rich with fascinating history, easily detectable by those willing to listen to its whispers. The monuments constructed by skilled hands and the remnants of the civilization that once thrived here add to the depth of this town’s character. Exploring the town allows visitors to touch roughened bricks and envision a time when the windows were filled with eager students. Hidden within the desert foliage surrounding the town are the abandoned gold mines that once sustained it. However, due to unfortunate greed among the landowners who refused to sell an area for the train, the town was unable to prosper and inevitably fell into decline.