Glenwood is a town rich in history of ancient cultures, geological wonders, famous Apaches, miners, ranchers,
mountain men, outlaws and military men. To name a few: Sgt. James Cooney, Victorio, Geronimo, Cochise,
Butch Cassidy & the Wild Bunch , Billy the Kid, Ben Lilly, Olaf Wieghorst and
Montague Stevens who owned the WS Ranch
Glenwood is nestled below the Mogollon Mountains 65 miles north
of Silver City, New Mexico and 38 miles south of Reserve, New Mexico.
Population in 2010 was 143. Known in 1878 as the Bush Ranch, it later became 'Whitewater' for the Creek that flows from the mountains; as a stage coach stop.it
was: "Glenwood Springs"; from 1904-06 it was: Clear Creek. In 1906
when the Post Office moved to it's present location it was named
Glenwood by Sarah Kitt. Allen Bush, Doc Rowe and his brother George were instrumental in establishing Glenwood as a safer place to be between settlements.
In 1893 the Graham Mill was built at the mouth of Whitewater Canyon and the town of Graham
developed. Three miles of pipe were used to build a water line up the
canyon to run the steam generators at the mill. Teams of up to 40
horses pulling wagons delivered the pipe to the site. Ore was pulled
down the mountain to a
chute on the ridge above the mill by smaller teams. Brace holes were
drilled into the rock walls, sometimes 20 feet
above the canyon floor, to hold the timbers and iron bars that
supported the water line. The mill closed in 1913 and the town faded
away. “Billy the Kids,” step-father William Antrim was the town’s blacksmith. Remnants of the Mill can be seen on the canyon wall overlooking the parking area of the Catwalk National Recreation Trail.
Whitewater Canyon saw few visitors until
the 1930's when the Civilian Conservation Corps. was assigned the task of building The
Catwalk as a recreation attraction for the Gila National Forest. In 1961 the Forest Service replaced the old wooden Catwalk with a new hanging metal walkway; both followed the path of the pipeline.
Today's trail comes to a substantial metal walkway that was built after the flood of 2013, The Catwalk is a popular picnic spot, birding area,
and rich with beauty.
4th of July Fireworks
Blu Can Man
In 2010 the MRAC Youth Mural
Program came to Glenwood. This is a hands on educational program based
on history. Thirty five local students ranging in age from 5 - 16 years
old worked on the mural: "Games Children Play". They designed it, drew
the horses on the wall, made and glazed ceramic tiles, created mosaics,
installed their work, grouted, and painted the swirls of dust. This
program focuses on building self esteem, self confidence and self worth;
collaborating, creating and cooperating and the importance of Public
Art in our lives. The mural can be seen at the Glenwood Community
Complex on the back wall of the Glenwood Community Library.