Deming

Deming post office

Event: One of the United States most unique events, The Great American Duck Race pits sprinting ducks against eachother in this late August tradition. For more information: http://www.demingduckrace.com/index.htm

Downtown Deming is full of history, art, and good food. Deming currently has 16 buildings on the State Historic Register, four of which are also on the National Historic Register. If you visit be sure to take the “Historic Landmark Walking Tour.” You can find a map and a description of the buildings on the City’s web site.

History

The history of this area dates back about 1,000 years to the time of the Mimbres Indians, who lived in farming villages along the Mimbres River. Americans began to arrive in Southwest New Mexico around 1800. By 1850 Deming was a Butterfield Stage Trail stop. Deming was founded in November 1881 and named for Mary Deming Crocker, wife of a railroad magnate of the Southern Pacific Railway system. Deming grew up around the expansion of the Southern Pacific which also arrived in 1881. Six months after that the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe completed its junction with the Southern Pacific at Deming. The presence of both these rail lines assured the growth of the community.

WPA in Deming

Deming has several buildings constructed by New Deal programs. One that still looks as it did when it was built is the Post Office. It is a red brick, single-story building with limestone belt courses, lintels, sills and decorative panels. In 1990 it was nominated to be included in the National Register for Historic Places. The Post Office also houses a WPA mural painted by Kenneth Adams entitled, “Mountains and Yucca,” in the lobby. The mural is pictured here.

“Mountains and Yucca” mural

Other WPA buildings include the library, Deming Country Club, a hospital addition, and the National Guard OMS.

Culture

One thousand years of Deming history is on display at the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum, at 301 S. Silver. The Museum is housed in the old Armory which was built in 1916, completed just two months after Pancho Villa’s famous raid on Columbus which is a mere 30 miles south. The building also served as a community social center and USO activity center before it was purchase by the Luna County Historical Society in 1977.

Deming Museum

Exhibits include one on the Mimbres Indians, including fine example of their famous pottery, a Cowboy exhibit that includes a huge chuckwagon used on the Diamond A Ranch, antique autos, military history and an art gallery.

The Museum Gift Shop offers many historical souvenirs, books and even contemporary Mimbres pottery at very reasonable prices.

Contact:
Jonathan Fackler
Deming MainStreet
212 S. Gold Ave.
Deming, NM 88030
Phone: 575.544.0089