Text adapted from research and tour organization materials by Paul and Marilyn Duncan and Dave Ferro. Edited by Mark Wing. Photos by Mark and Susan Wing unless otherwise noted.

Tour day 1 primary activities: Arrival in Raton – Shuler Theater – Raton Museum – Bruno’s Pizza

Our fall tour for 2019 (September 18-22) was to the towns of Raton and Clayton in the northeastern part of New Mexico. This tour was organized by our club President Paul Duncan, Vice President Dave Ferro, and our Treasurer Marilyn Duncan. In addition to the enjoyment of driving Model T’s through open grasslands and forests, this tour emphasized the unique histories of Raton and Clayton and the geology of this part of New Mexico. The Duncans generously drove their modern “trouble truck” and flatbed trailer for the duration of the tour. Sixteen club members and five Model T’s participated as well as two Model A’s.

The tour began with the approximate 3.5 hour drive from the Albuquerque area to the city of Raton. Raton (which means “mouse” in Spanish) is located around 6.5 miles south of the New Mexico/Colorado border and approximately 85 miles west of Texas. With an elevation of around 6,680 ft, it is higher than most of Albuquerque and has a population of just over 6,000 residents. Raton was one of the stops along the Santa Fe Trail and Raton Pass was used by Indians and Spanish explorers as a path through the Rocky Mountains. It was a major coal producing community until homes and railways largely replaced coal burning for petroleum-based fuels. Raton is still an important center for ranching. In addition to local ranching activities, the Raton area is an important region for Texas cattle to be trucked in during the warm weather months to graze on the abundant grasslands. While we were on tour, there were a lot of livestock transport trucks returning the fattened grass-fed cattle back to Texas.

Once we were settled into our lodgings, the first stop was to Raton’s historical downtown to explore the area.

After checking out some antique stores, the next stop was the Shuler Theater on 2nd Street. The theater was named after Dr. J.J. Shuler, a surgeon for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad who also served two terms as mayor of Raton. The theater was built in 1915 and was restored beginning in the 1960’s. It is now owned by the City of Raton and is still used for live theater and other performing arts today. Billy Donati, whose grandfather immigrated from Italy to work in the Raton-area coal mines, was our tour guide. He proudly pointed out the wonderful WPA-era murals by Raton artist Manville Chapman in the theater lobby. We also got to go behind the original fire-resistant water color painted curtain, depicting the Cimarron Palisades, for a look backstage and to see the dressing rooms below. The restored theater itself is stunning. The proscenium arch includes a Baroque-style ceiling mural which has been cleaned and repainted. Thank you to Billy Donati and the other volunteers who keep this historical and architectural gem alive!

The next stop was quick walk across the street to the Raton Museum where our tour guide was the museum’s Cultural Tourism Coordinator and Collections Steward – Roger Sanchez. This museum is located in a former bank building built in 1906 and opened at this location in 2008. With 11,000 square feet, the museum is filled with historical artifacts, artwork, and local Raton exhibits showing off the area’s rich heritage!

Bruno’s Pizza and Wings on Cook Ave in downtown is a Raton favorite and the location of our first tour dinner. The food was great everyone had a wonderful time.

Links to other tour days:

Tour Day 2 (Thu) – The Station – Sugarite – Johnson Mesa – Folsom – Capulin – Return to Raton Loop – Oasis restaurant

Tour Day 3 (Fri) – Power Plant – Shopping – Parade – Clayton – Eklund Hotel – Luna Theater

Tour Day 4 (Sat) – Photo shoot – Santa Fe Trail – Clayton Lake – Dinosaur Tracks – Herzstein Museum – Tour Banquet – Singer & Songwriter Event, 2019

Link to Raton-Clayton Places Summary, September 2019 (a PDF of more detailed information compiled by Paul and Marilyn Duncan of the places visited on the tour)