The undiscovered and untold history of Shakespeare, New Mexico.
Shakespeare was originally founded as Ralston City. The photograph above explains the basis for the title of this work.
In the closing paragraphs of the series of articles on Silver City’s early history, a brief comparison was made between the development of that settlement and Ralston City. We wondered why, although only one month apart in age, Ralston City had just over twice the population of of Silver City and a greater variety of service industries, such as liquor dealers, dry goods merchants, a restaurant.
The answer lies in the fact that, from day one, Silver City had been – to borrow the title of Susan Berry’s book – “ Built to Last“. The silver ores of the Silver Flat and Chloride Flat mining districts meant that Silver City had a solid economic foundation; the town had substance. In contrast, Ralston City was founded on little more than an elaborate and deliberate illusion; a “get rich quick” scheme. A place of smoke and mirrors and a shell game. The town-site itself was the centerpiece of that illusion, and crucial to the scheme’s success.
©2007-2023 Jim & Erica Parson
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