Hillsboro was founded in April,1877, when two prospectors discovered a series of gold deposits on the east side of the Black Range Mountains along Percha Creek. Dave Stitzel and Daniel Dugan staked out the Opportunity and Ready Pay mines. A tent city quickly filled with over 300 miners, store owners, adventuresome women and children. As the area grew more settled, adobe and wooden structures began to replace the tents. By 1880 the town had four saloons, four grocery stores and a post office. Today, Hillsboro is a well-known community of artists, writers and ranchers.
Hillsboro’s walkable “downtown” invites visitors to soak up the adobe ambiance of the historic homes, churches and the Black Range Museum.
The community hosts the always popular Apple Festival, Christmas in the Foothills, community Christmas party and monthly music events.
Location
18 miles west of I-25 take exit 63 onto NM 152
Getting There
Hillsboro is appx 32 miles west of Truth or Concequences on NM 152.
Resources
Please visit these websites for more Information and Images.
Images Courtesy of Mike Sinnwell.
