Welcome to the Madrid Oral History Tour.

I am your host, author Andrew Wice, W-I-C-E. Learn about my new novel, “The Object: a love story,” and my other projects at Andrewwice.com.

Let’s ...

Let's stop here for a moment in front of the Cantina and the Old Coal Town Museum. Every location on this tour is a stop which lasts about three minutes, so from here onwards I'll be expecting you ...

First we’re going to hear from Ron about the history of the museum including the locomotive engine you see up there.

>Ron

The Old Coal Town Museum has come a long way since those days. If you...

Did you see the eyes? And have you found the cement scale? Cars are often parked on top of it.

>Rainia, Jim

That was Rainia and Jim, introducing you to the Mine Company Office, the execut...

This boardwalk was the location of the original company stores, where the miners’ families had to buy all their goods using scrip. Happily, these days cash and cards are accepted instead.

Jez...

You’re standing in front of a Trading Post, which was once a Sunday School, and a green house on its left, which used to be the town barber shop.

You’ll be hearing these names a lot, so let me c...

This is the Huber House, the former throne of power in the benevolent dictatorship that was this company town.

First we’ll hear from Joanna and Mary Huber. Then Carmen, with a different point-o...

This was the home of the Taylor family, back in the boomtown days. It went through some changes before emerging as Conley Studio. Lisa Conley has been a stoneware potter in Madrid for four decades...

The town’s prosperity was a source of pride for Huber, who wanted to share his kingdom with the world. Madrid became renowned for its Christmas celebration during the boom, with airlines even rerou...

This crater is an appropriate location to talk about Madrid’s role in building the Atomic Bombs. We’ll hear from Waz, Mary, Eirik and John about the relationship between Madrid and Los Alamos, sec...

These private dwellings were prized in the old days, sitting high on the hill. Waz will start off with the town's stone masonry before you hear from Rainia and finally Mark.

>rebirth = tolera...

This is the north end of town, near where the cattle guard across the highway used to separate Madrid from the rest of the world. Madrid has always claimed the right to make its own rules, be its ...

Stand at the top of the two private driveways, with the playground and ballpark down to your right. The old schoolhouse is the large stone building straight ahead. Josie will talk about going to ...

You’ll be able to stroll a bit here at the Oscar Huber Memorial Ballpark, named after Mr. Huber for good reason. The mystery of his character is a structure of cantilevered contradictions – good g...

Oscar Huber was really just doubling down on the ambitions of his predecessor, George Kaseman, to make Madrid a model mining town. Cemented as all-powerful benevolent dictators, their motivations ...

Take a moment to look back over the ballpark. Do you see those sparse, rugged hills three miles north, dotted with junipers? That big hill is called Grand Central, with Chalchihuital to the right....

If you are parched or hungry, too hot or too cold, relief is at hand, within the Old Boarding House.

You are about to hear from the owner of the Old Boarding House, Annette, who restored this bu...

This is the Pratt House. Sky, Rebecca and Lilly explain why it’s a special place for the early pioneers who brought the town back to life in the 1970’s.

>Pratt

One of the few people in tow...

This is Connie’s Photo Park, a source of family fun since 2011. It is still growing.

The photo park readily exemplifies the artistic idealism of this town. This communal spirit can be just for ...

This brown building behind the fence is not the original structure. The story illustrates the unpredictable, lot-by-lot nature of Madrid’s rebirth.

> corner lot

That was John, Waz and Brian....

After you’ve experienced the strangeness Madrid General, please look west – that is, put your back to the highway and look across the valley. Do you see the adobe church across the way?

>chur...

These carved wood sculptures by Travis Stroope might prepare you for the magic inside Moonbow Herbs and Gifts. All-organic custom herbal blends and tinctures are made in-house, with love by Lori, ...

You are standing before what is left of the Lamb Hotel, which used to be a larger complex that functioned as a boarding house for unmarried miners as well as a large-capacity dining room for the wh...

You’re standing in front of Cowgirl Red, which is now the home of genuine western wear and vintage cowboy boots. But in the early 1940s, it was the home of John and his family.

>Husler

Plea...

A little oasis, the sound of water running in the desert. The stone for Josh’s fountains were harvested in the surrounding hills. Inside the gallery you will find Kathleen’s pottery and paintings...

Please respect that this is a private residence. If you look above the porch roof, you can see the seam where two parts of the house were joined after it arrived on the railroad in pieces.

Alt...

The center of town both geographically and socially, Java Junction is the perfect spot to take a break and watch the town go by. In Madrid we all live by their motto, “Bad Coffee Sucks.”

Linda ...

Heaven, here on the right, and Gifted Hands Gallery, next door on the left, are nestled here in the crook of the highway’s elbow. After the mines shut down, Joe Huber tried to maintain Madrid’s cr...

That red metal apparatus is an offset smoker, formerly the property of the late, great Cowboy Len. Chef Novak uses it to smoke brisket almost every day.

>Linda, fire

Following the bend in the...

This long edifice is actually a complex of buildings, formerly the Chrysler-Plymouth dealership, garages, filling station and showroom.

The Johnsons are a pioneering family, essential to Madrid’...

This bridge goes over the Madrid arroyo – the dry streambed which carved out this valley, flood after flood. In New Mexico, the great dangers have always been flood, fire … and bad drivers. Eirik...

You are standing in front of Chumani Gallery. The name, which is Lakota-Sioux, means “water from the ground”, and is reflected by the water garden inside the adobe wall. It, and the gallery itsel...

The spirit of anarchy did attract a wilder breed of outlaw. Into the eighties, Madrid endured its share of drugs and violence at the hands of the Bad Boys.

>fire

That was Al, Shay, Rainia, E...

This is a private road, please be aware of vehicles entering and exiting. The eponymous Harvey of Harvey Road is remembered by his son Al, who built these houses.

>Al on Harv

Al also constr...

From up on Metallo Gallery’s porch, you have an outstanding view of the structures on the mountain tops, used for the Christmas angels. Looking south, you can see the seam in the highway where the...

Madrid is credited with inspiring Walt Disney. Kirsten, Eirik and Waz will fill you in.

>Disney

Oh, and that other name you heard – Paul Lantz? He created Woody Woodpecker.

Turn to fa...

You are standing before Gypsy Plaza, facing the chocolate shop. These buildings were not always the home of such unique enterprises as Power and Light Press, a woman-owned letterpress print shop, ...

You are standing in front of Collaboration. This quirky collection of crafts offers something for everyone, thanks to its diverse roster of artists and its appealing playfulness.

>firehouse b...

I would appreciate it if you please take a moment to rate the tour when you're done.

If you enjoyed this tour, be on the lookout for upcoming audio tours, as well as my work as a novelist. The ...