Truth or Consequences is the county seat located forty-eight miles northwest of the ranch adjacent to the Rio Grande and the Elephant Butte Reservoir. The Butte is New Mexico’s largest and most popular recreational state park lake. Water sports, sport fishing and easy access via I-25 make this a popular regional recreational attraction.
Prior to Truth or Consequences the county seat had been the raucous mining boom town of Hillsboro. Today the settlement of two hundred citizens continue to thrive in this scenic historic village and offer a window to the past. The entire region is rich with history and culture. The ancient and extinct Mimbres and Solano Indians inhabited this wilderness. Later Native Americans led by local chiefs such as Geronimo, Victorio and Apache Kid fought against the tide of westward settlement. Indian wars and lawlessness caused companies of soldiers and cavalry to be stationed in the area. Traversing the ranch you can follow the route of the Kingston-Lake Valley Stage Lines which was harassed by Indians and outlaw bands. The Kingston Gang, Farmington Gang, Butch Cassidy, Black Jack Ketchum and Billy the Kid were visitors to the area
Hillsboro gained national attention during the range wars trials of 1899. The trial involved a conspiracy of prominent ranchers accused of foul play in the disappearance of Colonel Fountain and his young son. The accused were acquitted. Amid this historical region is the Big Springs Ranch.
Big Springs Ranch is ninety road miles northwest of Las Cruces/El Paso and two hundred miles southwest of Albuquerque. Road access to the ranch can be made from Interstate 10 at Deming or off Interstate 25 at Hatch or Truth or Consequences, N.M. Travel from Deming or Hatch is via State Road No. 26 to Nutt, then north twenty-eight miles on State Road 27, then west eight miles on county-gravel Road 522 to the ranch entry. Travel from Truth or Consequences is south on I-25, west at Caballo, Exit 36, onto State Road 152, seventeen miles to Hillsboro then south eight miles on State Road 27, then west eight miles to the ranch entry. These are scenic travel routes that track the historic Geronimo Trail.
Big Springs Ranch controls a huge expanse of over twelve sections, 8,000 acres of native New Mexico rangeland. This incredible ranch is comprised of approximately 1,800 deeded acres which includes approximately forty-one water right acres and fifty irrigable acres together with 900 acres BLM lease and approximately 5,300 acres of adjacent federal forest lease land. The forest lease is referred to as the Mackey Allotment. Vehicle access to the allotment is controlled and private. Imagine that you, the owner of Big Springs Ranch, will have unlimited access to the vast beautiful and world-famous Gila National Forest.
The life-giving resource of the ranch is the abundant free-flowing water. Big Spring which originates on the ranch is a private mountain spring producing approximately 400 gallons per minute. It feeds an historic acequia and two fish ponds. The water right is tied to the land and has a territorial 1901 priority date. Associated with the spring are approximately fifty irrigable acres which take in the headquarter yard, several orchards and farmland fields. The fish ponds store water for wildlife and irrigation of the fields. Water is also diverted and pumped from this private spring to the adjacent Mackey forest allotment which assures this perpetual lease and ongoing cooperation of the Forest Service Agency.
Traversing the northern ranch sector is the lush riparian habitat nourished by Tierra Blanca Creek. This spring-fed creek has intermittent water flow and frequently runs clear water. Several other springs are located on the ranch and identified by many willows, cottonwoods and ruins.
Big Springs Ranch and the surrounding area are generally mountainous. Elevation of the ranch range from 5,500 feet to 7,200 feet. Vistas of nearby and far-off peaks and mountains are incredible. Topography heaves and rolls over many grassy hills, blending into rugged pine cloaked mountains, wide expansive grassy valleys and rocky steep rugged canyons and slopes. There is good balance of rugged and gentle rolling topography.
Many species of palatable native grasses grow throughout the varied rangesites. The woodlands include pinon, juniper, cedars and occasional pines. Growing along canyons and riparian areas are many cottonwoods, willows, oaks and walnuts. The orchards and headquarters have mature apple, peach, cherry, pear, pecan and poplar trees.
Big Springs Ranch’s southern location and mild climate is semi-arid characteristic of the merging Chihuahan desert evidenced by the occasional cactus and yucca. Vegetation thrives. Many flowering plants, roses, perennials, annuals, bulbs and vines have been established throughout the headquarters area. The terraced irrigated fields historically have been grazed and are ideal for perma-pasture. Average annual precipitation is approximately fourteen inches. Thunderous midsummer storms develop providing most of the annual precipitation. The growing season is approximately one hundred and ninety days.
Notable is the mild southern climate where year-round use is a given. Summertime heat is never extreme and year-round temperatures are comfortable. Winters are not severe and snowfall is a welcomed event. Plentiful sunshine and clear starlit night skies are expected. The magical time of sunrise and sunset will cause all visitors to pause.
Big Springs Ranch offers land use alternatives not typical of ordinary New Mexico ranches. The mountainous high desert region is utilized yearlong. Historic land use is livestock grazing and hunting complimented with trail riding, archeological exploration and the easy relaxing cowboy lifestyle. The infrastructure is designed to support this cast of activities.
Livestock working facilities are built for ease of operation and optimum care of livestock. Adjoining the deeded land is the seven section, ninety animal unit, yearlong USFS Mackey grazing allotment. Permanent water is available to all seven pastures supplied from several springs and wells equipped with windmills and submersible pumps. There is a vast network of new buried plastic water line, storage tanks and water troughs for water distribution and storage. Water and access roads have been constructed throughout the Mackey Allotment. Pasture fencing is new and/or well-maintained cedar and steel T-post barbed wire construction.
Livestock are turned out to the ranch and managed by rotational grazing giving rest to the pastures. Wildlife are also benefited by the water and livestock mineral distribution. Elk, mule deer, javelina, turkey, bear, lion and coyotes are native and are seen on the ranch.
Seasonal big game hunting is a thriving regional industry. Location of Big Spring Ranch is within Hunt Unit 21B which, by state proclamation, is a primitive weapon hunt area. Trail riding, hiking and archeological exploration of the ranch and region is sure to be full of surprise. Explorers will get a taste of the old west while enjoying intense scenic beauty. Favorite haunts will be found among the traces of Apache trails, stage lines, cowboy hideaways and miners camps.
When you retreat to shelter you and your guest will find cozy comfortable accommodations. The Headquarters Compound has the original adobe stucco ranch house. This is a modern remodeled three-bedroom, one bath Casa with hardwood floors and metal roof cover. It is nestled under a canopy of pecan, fruit trees and Poplars. The yard has many roses, grape vines, flowering plants and seasonal bulbs. It is adjacent to a five-acre irrigated pasture. Nearby amenities include a rustic storeroom and the saloon. Sheltering your saddle and tack is an old miners cabin of pine log construction with pitched metal roof. Beyond the main compound is the caretaker’s residence. It is a single-wide blending into the landscape with native rock wall fencing and a forest of trees both native and fruit bearing.
Your guest will enjoy privacy and rest in a newly constructed three-bedroom, one and one-half bath dwelling. This modern house has vaulted ceiling in the greatroom with picture window, fireplace and a full-length covered wood porch with inviting views.
Designed for absolute solitude is the hilltop studio. It is a one-room structure of 1,000 square feet. Construction is wood frame and stucco, metal roof, hardwood floors and a full covered wooden porch. Perched upon the hilltop overlooking the compound and with generous picture windows, you’ll be captive taking in uninhibited 360 panoramic views of the ranch and beyond. The awesome landscape and classic beauty of Big Springs Ranch is sure to motivate your artistic nature.
The Big Springs Ranch will be sold Turnkey! $1,650,000.00 cash, land, improvements, equipment and furnishings.
Ranches with the resources and amenities similar to the Big Springs Ranch are typically huge outfits, unattainable and are rarely offered for sale. This offering is complete. Make your mark and file you claim within this enchanting land.
