Carlsbad
From Bank to Boutique Hotel: Carlsbad’s First National Bank Building
The First National Bank BuildingOne of Carlsbad’s signature buildings has been transformed from an eyesore to a shining example of historic preservation on MainStreet. The First National Bank Building was built in 1892 on the corner of Canal and Fox Streets and has been home to over a century of history. It was the site of the first bank in southern New Mexico, and its offices were home to the first newspaper in the area. Pat Garrett, the lawman who shot Billy the Kid, had his offices in the building. The outlaws Bonnie and Clyde robbed the bank in the 30’s, leaving behind bullet holes that are still visible today.
The Carlsbad Irrigation District (CID) had owned the building for decades, but it had fallen into disrepair. The structure was placed on a list of the top 10 most endangered historic buildings in the nation, and was also placed on both the State and Federal Registry for Historic buildings. In 2007, local businessmen stepped in to purchase the building with an eye on restoring its former glory. Their plan was to open a restaurant, bar and boutique hotel on the site to service not only locals, but to be a destination for tourists as well. The first phase of construction featured two hotel suites, a wine shop featuring New Mexico products, a wine and beer bar and a restaurant and was completed in summer 2009. Phase two will include a complete renovation of the upstairs office portion of the building into seven luxury hotel suites.
History
The Eddy County CourthouseIn 1888 the town was christened Eddy, after the tee totaling Charles B. Eddy, a businessman who had moved from New York. Cigar manufacturer R.W. Tansill arrived from Chicago at the same town, buying up large plots of land and establishing a farm. Local mineral springs were discovered outside of town, and it was said their medicinal qualities rivaled those of Czechoslovakia’s Karlsbad Springs. So, in 1899, Tunsill recommended the town rename itself “Carlsbad”, which it was in 1918 (Tunsill, sadly, passed away many years before the official change).
The “discovery” of Carlsbad Caverns remains a bit of a mystery. Jim White, a young farmhand may have entered the cave in 1898, but the first to find the entrance remains disputed. White had seen what appeared to be a rising cloud of smoke in the distance, but as he got closer, he realized the cloud was actually bats flocking from the mouth of the cave. White lowered himself into the caves, and amazed by their beauty, attempted to get people to look for themselves. No one believed him, and it actually took nearly 20 years before a photographer would be convinced to document the find. Originally called “Bat Cave”, it was designated Carlsbad Cave National Monument in 1923.
Carlsbad Museum and Art CenterCulture
The Carlsbad Museum and Art Center (418 W. Fox Street), founded in 1931, specializes in Southwestern American artists, and features the McAdoo Collection of paintings from the original organizers of the Taos Art Colony.
The Pecos River Flume was the largest concrete structure in the world when it was built in 1903. It carries Pecos River water from Lake Avalon across the river as part of the Carlsbad Irrigation District, thus the structure was featured in “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” as the only river that crosses itself!
Visit U.S. Department of Energy for the Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP) experience. This multimedia show and exhibit demonstrates how nuclear waste is deposited 2,000 feet underground.
Events
The world’s largest Junior Rodeo is held yearly at the end of June. 8-19 year olds compete in events including bull riding, steer wrestling and goat tying.
Christmas on the Pecos celebrates the season with an hour long boat ride down the river to see over 100 homes festively decorated on the riverside.
More information on hotels and visiting Carlsbad can be found at the city web site.
Contact:
Bonnie Bakal, Carlsbad MainStreet Project
P.O. Box 302
Carlsbad, NM 88221
124 N. Canyon
Carlsbad, NM 88220
Phone: 575.628.3768
