Civilian Conservation Corp Tour Stop 2

the park visitor center in the early years

NPS

Quick Facts

Amenities

25 listed

Accessible Sites, Automated Entrance, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Baby Changing Station, Backcountry Permits, Benches/Seating, Bicycle - Rack, Bus/Shuttle Stop, Captioned Media, Entrance Passes for Sale, Fire Extinguisher, First Aid Kit Available, First Aid/Medical Care Available, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Junior Ranger Booklet Available, Recycling, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Theater/Auditorium, Toilet - Flush, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Water - Drinking/Potable, Wheelchair Accessible, Wheelchairs Available

Enter the Visitor Center. Once well inside the door, take a moment to look up and around and enjoy the ambiance of the building. This room contains a variety of extremely decorative elements. Notice the original Spanish Colonial pierced-tin light fixtures and the woodworking around the walls, including all the interior corbels. Also, look at the latillas, above the vigas. The latillas in this room are arranged in a diagonal or herringbone pattern, while others in the complex are usually laid perpendicular to the vigas. The fancy diagonal pattern is usually reserved for public use buildings rather than offices or quarters. The flooring is chunks of native volcanic rock. Building a fireplace in a corner is a tradition widespread in New Mexico, and here bancos were built extending from its sides. There is another corner fireplace in the book store, as well as more tin light fixtures in the museum.