Altair

Altair, New Mexico

Luna County

Elevation (unknown)

The exact location of Altair is still unknown. I found an old map that shows it to be somewhere between Arena and Malpais, however exploring this area, I found no signs of a town. The map may not have been reliable, but I still feel there may have been a town here at one time. One reason is the distance between Arena and Malpais which is 11.1 miles. Most towns along this railroad are distanced approx. 6 or 7 miles from each other. If Altair existed, this location would be consistent with the other towns as far as distance is concerned. Another reason, is the location of the Indian Basin Road. This road is used by ranchers in the area to access a stock tank located about 2 miles to the north of the railroad. The road does not go directly to the railroad track, yet runs at a 45 degree angle to the railroad track. Is there a reason that the road needed to meet the railroad track at this particular location? I feel that if the town did exist, the location where the Indian Basin road connects is where it would be. One spot worth mentioning, and possible may be related to the town, is a hill about 1 mile south of the railroad grade with some type of aircraft beacon tower on top of it. At the base of the hill is a foundation to a small building that looks like it contained an electric generator, and there are a few power line poles between this structure and the beacon on top of the hill. My guess is that this is a military installation of some sort, built in the 1930's or 1940's,  used to guide early aircraft flying over the area.  Just a guess, but the town of Altair, may be related to this.

This page is part of the "Ghosts of the Southline" website, illustrating the El Paso and Southwestern Railroad and many of the abandoned towns along its route.  

Photographs and documentation found on this website are the property of Lloyd W. Sumner

This site was created and is maintained by Lloyd W. Sumner