Cerrillos
Oldest mining district in United States
State: New Mexico
County: Santa Fe County
Founded: 1879 (modern) / 900 AD (mining)
Peak Population: thousands
Cerrillos sits atop America's oldest mining district—Native Americans mined turquoise here starting around 900 AD. By the 1880s, it had 21 saloons and was nearly named New Mexico's capital. Mount Chalchihuitl contains the largest prehistoric turquoise operation in North America. From 1889-1910, Cerrillos was the world's leading turquoise source.
Quick Facts
- America's oldest mining district—Native mining since 900 AD
- Mount Chalchihuitl: largest prehistoric turquoise mine in North America
- World's leading turquoise source 1889-1910
- Considered for New Mexico's capital in the 1880s
Location
Address: Turquoise Trail (NM-14), Santa Fe County, New Mexico
Coordinates: 35.4442, -106.1211