ABOUT US
The Museum building (known as the Plaza Building) was built in 1938 and is an excellent example of Pueblo Revival Architecture.
It is in Alamogordo, New Mexico, the County seat of Otero County. The area known as the Tularosa Basin is in south-central New Mexico and is situated between the picturesque Sacramento Mountains on the east and the vast White Sands National Park on the west. The town of Alamogordo was designed and laid out by the Eddy Brothers, Charles & John owners of the El Paso / Northeastern Railroad Company. The Plaza Building and its location in the town are of great significance to the history of Alamogordo.
The building stands at the corner of White Sands Boulevard (Hwy 54/70 - the originally named Pennsylvania Ave.) and 10th Street. This intersection was the original entrance to the historic downtown area of Alamogordo. To the west across White Sands Boulevard is the Alameda Park and the Alameda Park Zoo - the oldest in New Mexico; both the park and the zoo were included in the original 1898 plat. The original commercial building on that corner was demolished because it was unsafe and leaning toward the street.
The Plaza building is a single story "L" shaped structure. When the building was constructed in 1938, the Plaza Oil Company, a gas station and garage, was built in the open area in front of the "L". the gas station operated until 1960 when it was demolished. Both buildings were constructed with adobe blocks made on site. the structural vigas on both building are timbers from the nearby Sacramento Mountains. The Plaza Building was built on the site of a former wooden structure which housed the only bar in town (known as the Pullman Saloon). The architectural style is Pueblo Revival/New Mexico vernacular, much like the WPA projects in town. Howard Beacham built the plaza as a private enterprise and operated the Plaza Café until 1946. Before building the Plaza, Mr. Beacham was elected Otero County Sheriff in 1920 and led a strong campaign against bootleggers and alcohol smugglers.
The Museum contains displays of artifacts with provenance that reflect the historical significance of the Tularosa Basin......
The Museum building (known as the Plaza Building) was built in 1938 and is an excellent example of Pueblo Revival Architecture.
It is in Alamogordo, New Mexico, the County seat of Otero County. The area known as the Tularosa Basin is in south-central New Mexico and is situated between the picturesque Sacramento Mountains on the east and the vast White Sands National Park on the west. The town of Alamogordo was designed and laid out by the Eddy Brothers, Charles & John owners of the El Paso / Northeastern Railroad Company. The Plaza Building and its location in the town are of great significance to the history of Alamogordo.
The building stands at the corner of White Sands Boulevard (Hwy 54/70 - the originally named Pennsylvania Ave.) and 10th Street. This intersection was the original entrance to the historic downtown area of Alamogordo. To the west across White Sands Boulevard is the Alameda Park and the Alameda Park Zoo - the oldest in New Mexico; both the park and the zoo were included in the original 1898 plat. The original commercial building on that corner was demolished because it was unsafe and leaning toward the street.
The Plaza building is a single story "L" shaped structure. When the building was constructed in 1938, the Plaza Oil Company, a gas station and garage, was built in the open area in front of the "L". the gas station operated until 1960 when it was demolished. Both buildings were constructed with adobe blocks made on site. the structural vigas on both building are timbers from the nearby Sacramento Mountains. The Plaza Building was built on the site of a former wooden structure which housed the only bar in town (known as the Pullman Saloon). The architectural style is Pueblo Revival/New Mexico vernacular, much like the WPA projects in town. Howard Beacham built the plaza as a private enterprise and operated the Plaza Café until 1946. Before building the Plaza, Mr. Beacham was elected Otero County Sheriff in 1920 and led a strong campaign against bootleggers and alcohol smugglers.
The Museum contains displays of artifacts with provenance that reflect the historical significance of the Tularosa Basin......
Tularosa Basin Museum of History
Mission Statement
Tularosa Basin historical Society endeavors to fulfil all aspects of its stewardship:
to inspire an appreciation for the unique heritage and cultural diversity of the Tularosa Basin,
surrounding area and its people to preserve the past, to protect the present and to educate for the future.
Tularosa Basin historical Society endeavors to fulfil all aspects of its stewardship:
to inspire an appreciation for the unique heritage and cultural diversity of the Tularosa Basin,
surrounding area and its people to preserve the past, to protect the present and to educate for the future.