Last updated: August 18, 2023
Place
New Mexico Military Institute Summer Camp, Main Building
Photograph by Betsy Swanson, courtesy of the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office
Quick Facts
Location:
Carrizo Canyon, Ruidoso, New Mexico
Significance:
Architecture, Education
Designation:
Listed in the National Register - Reference number 83001622
OPEN TO PUBLIC:
No
MANAGED BY:
Private
The main building of the New Mexico Military Institute Summer Camp in Carrizo Canyon, New Mexico was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The camp is significant as an example of rustic Pueblo Revival architecture and as a southwestern expression of the early 20th century camp movement.
The New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) was established in 1891 as a public military high school and junior high in Roswell, New Mexico. The school bought the land that would later host the camp in 1925, and the school's athletic department opened the camp in 1927. In addition to helping get the school's football team in shape over the summer, the camp also allowed students to enjoy two months of "happy mountain life." Students were also able to either catch up or get ahead on school work, with the ability to take remedial high school courses, get tutoring in college-level subjects, or receiving advising on college or West Point admissions.
The camp emerged amidst a peak in tourism and the travel industry in New Mexico, which shaped the architectural design of the camp. Across the country, Americans sought to "return to nature" in architectural surroundings that matched both the natural and cultural environment. The NMMI camp was designed with rustic simplicity unique to buildings in New Mexico, blending the Spanish-Pueblo Revival and English Tudor Collegiate Gothic Revival styles.
The property was sold to a private owner in 1943. In 1953, the property re-opened as Carrizo Lodge, which hosted line dances, summer theatre, a girls camp, a boys camp, and art classes. The lodge is currently owned by a private owner and is not open to the public.
The New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) was established in 1891 as a public military high school and junior high in Roswell, New Mexico. The school bought the land that would later host the camp in 1925, and the school's athletic department opened the camp in 1927. In addition to helping get the school's football team in shape over the summer, the camp also allowed students to enjoy two months of "happy mountain life." Students were also able to either catch up or get ahead on school work, with the ability to take remedial high school courses, get tutoring in college-level subjects, or receiving advising on college or West Point admissions.
The camp emerged amidst a peak in tourism and the travel industry in New Mexico, which shaped the architectural design of the camp. Across the country, Americans sought to "return to nature" in architectural surroundings that matched both the natural and cultural environment. The NMMI camp was designed with rustic simplicity unique to buildings in New Mexico, blending the Spanish-Pueblo Revival and English Tudor Collegiate Gothic Revival styles.
The property was sold to a private owner in 1943. In 1953, the property re-opened as Carrizo Lodge, which hosted line dances, summer theatre, a girls camp, a boys camp, and art classes. The lodge is currently owned by a private owner and is not open to the public.