Winston: Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway, New Mexico

WINSTON was first settled in 1881 under the name Fairview. By 1884, the town boasted a population of over three thousand served by a hotel, meat market, saloons, horse races, mercantile, drug store, physician, sawmill, two freighters, school, stagecoach, and plays performed at Cloudman Hall (named for the local butcher). The town's name was changed to Winston in 1930 to honor pioneer resident Frank Winston, who made good as a miner, business leader, and state legislator - and won the hearts of the local people when, as a business owner, he extended credit to them in hard times. Today, this community of miners, ranchers and retirees offers a small general store, post office, bar, and bed-and-breakfast / cafe. Frank Winston's home and carriage house still stand, along with an 1890 schoolhouse, old post office, and chapel in this beautiful valley. A community fiesta is held the third Saturday in April featuring a parade, barbecue, flea market, cow-chip poker and a dance. A fall festival on the last Saturday in September has contests reminiscent of early mining days. Picnic tables are available at the Winston Community Center Park any time of year.
	Please note that there is no gasoline available on the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway west of Truth or Consequences / Williamsburg and Elephant Butte. This is the majority of the Trail, which runs through some very remote countryside. Fill your tank before you leave! Gasoline is available on Side Trip 5; or, if you choose to follow the Alternate Loop, gas is available at Silver City. Please also note that bridges between Caballo and Hillsboro bear twelve-foot, six-inch height restrictions; and the Forest Service advises not only that trailers over twenty feet are unsafe on Forest Development Road 150, but that low-clearance / non-four-wheel-drive vehicles travel that section of the Trail at their own risk.
What's on the web about Winston?
(This will take you to our Links page.)
Next stop on the E-Tour: a side trip to the village of Chloride...
	Enjoy the nature, history, and culture of southwest New Mexico - but don't disturb the natural, historical, and cultural sites. Do not remove, destroy, or deface anything on any site; strict laws protect artifacts on State, Federal, Indian, and private lands. Buying, selling, trading, or transporting these stolen items is also illegal. Please report looting and vandalism to federal land management authorities or the local sheriff. Hide all traces of your travels as the Apache hid their passing so these wildlands may remain unspoiled, the historical sites may remain true to their history, and the developed sites may remain clean and pleasant. Thank you.