New Mexico

Ghost Towns: Alma, Cerrillos, Chloride, Clairmont, Elizabethtown, Golden, Lake Valley, Loma Parda, Madrid, McCartys, Mogollón, Montoya, San Fidel, Shakespeare, Steins, Winston
Movie Sets: Bonanza Creek Ranch, Cerrillos, Madrid, Cook Ranch & the Silverado Set, Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Eaves Movie Ranch, White Sands National Monument, Zia Pueblo

McCartys

Five miles beyond San Fidel, is the ghost town of McCartys. Also referred to as McCarty and Santa María De Ácoma, it began as a farming and trading community on the Acoma Indian reservation. The town was named McCarty for a railroad contractor who had his camp here when the AT&SF railroad came through in the 1880s. A post office was established in 1887, and continued to operate until 1911. There are many remnants of the historical past in this quiet little town. In the early days of Route 66, women and children, dressed in traditional Pueblo clothing, could be seen seated under brush shelters selling baskets and Acoma pottery.

Just above the settlement is a beautiful church, which has been recently rebuilt in a one-half size replica of the ancient church of old Acoma. Built in the classic example of Spanish Colonial-style architecture, the interior provides a peek at several wood carvings that are notable works of art.

McCartys is the gateway to the Acoma Pueblo, some 13 miles to the southeast on BIA-38.

From McCartys to Grants, this old section of historic pavement has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. All along the journey are black masses of hardened lava on both sides of road. These great lava flows range from 50- to 200-feet wide, and curve about the flat valley all along the route. This lava flow, called “El Malpais,” meaning “Evil Country,” is one of the most recent in U.S. history, occurring between 1,000 and 2,000 years ago. Navajo legend says that this lava is the blood of the great giant who was slain by the Twin War Gods in the Zuñi Mountains. Here in this area lies the remains of deserted pueblos, caves of perpetual ice, hideouts of Old West outlaws, and numerous tales of buried treasure.

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