Village of Ruidoso—in January 1855, Captain Henry Stanton was one of the first to arrive in Ruidoso country. His orders were to come up from Fort Fillmore (an outpost near the Las Cruces area) to join forces with Captain R.E. Ewell. The mission was to locate the bands of Apaches that stole 2,500 sheep. Captain Stanton is believed to be the first Anglo to come upon the “Noisy River” (translated: Ruidoso). The Spaniards are believed to be the first to discover the Ruidoso Valley, then the Mescalero Apache having settlements throughout the valley. Captain Stanton was killed in 1855 during his mission, which led to the establishment of Fort Stanton. The Fort played an important role in settling the Ruidoso Valley by providing protection and enforcing law and order.

Paul Dowlin, a Civil War veteran a member of the New Mexico Volunteers worked as a post trader for Fort Stanton (located between Lincoln and Ruidoso). He received a homestead of 160 acres after his term with the NMV. Through a land purchase grant he received another 600 acres, which is most of Ruidoso village today. He intended to start a planning mill (for wood) by channeling the river’s force from Carrizo Creek and the “Noisy River”. The water’s force fell short to power up for the wood mill so he converted the mill for grinding grain to match the river’s energy. Ruidoso was once known as “Dowlins Mill”. On May 5, 1877, Dowlin, unarmed, was shot by a former employee, Jerry Dillon. No one knows why. Dillon fled to Texas and was never heard from again.

Population as of 2004 was 8,691.

 

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