On
our winter 2000 visit to Santa Fe, we visited a town about an hour away called Madrid.
Once a booming coal mining town, world famous for its amazing Christmas displays,
the town fell on bad times in the 1950s. It was a ghost town until the early 70s when
artists and craftspersons arrived. Old company stores and houses were converted into shops
and galleries with paintings, sculpture, pottery, leather, jewelry, furniture, beadwork,
toys, artwear, antiques and imports. The First Saturday of each month is gallery and
studio open house. In December, the spirit of yesteryear lives on with Holiday Open House
and the lighting of the town.
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We had lunch at the local "ghost town" kitchen. If I were a ghost, I would definately hang out here. |
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Cindy in front of an old wares wagon. In Madrid, everything—old & new—is "for sale." |
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Brenda in front of one of the old coal mining houses. |
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A "community dog" decided Cindy should play fetch. First, they have to find the ball! |