Lake Valley, New Mexico

In the hillside behind these ruins at Lake Valley, New Mexico sits the entrance to the Bridal Chamber, the richest single concentration of silver ever found. The silver was so pure that a railroad spur was extended into the Bridal Chamber so that the ore could be deposited directly into the ore cars. In the background is Town Mountain (elev. 6,424 ft.). Lake Valley's population peaked at 4,000 people in the 1880s. Today, there are no residents in Lake Valley and it is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and a dedicated and knowledgeable on-site staff. Photo taken 8/26/07.