tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post489228430830812290..comments2024-03-28T20:15:56.227-05:00Comments on CITY OF DUST: For Sale: Fort Bayard, New Mexicojmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-33207872367817028842017-08-19T00:37:34.457-05:002017-08-19T00:37:34.457-05:00The hospital is completely gone. A new Ft. Bayard ...The hospital is completely gone. A new Ft. Bayard Medical Center has been built outside the gates of Ft.BayardAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01839699955509735964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-16135831512415047542016-05-30T14:51:54.400-05:002016-05-30T14:51:54.400-05:00That is very sad news, Ranelle Gose. I wish I coul...That is very sad news, Ranelle Gose. I wish I could've taken some interior shots of the hospital, but it sounds like it's too late now. Do you know if there are plans to demolish any other buildings or is it just the hospital...at least for now? I had suspected it might be coming down sometime soon. In fact, I thought they could easily have started demolition last year.<br /><br />Anyway, you're right, Fort Bayard is indeed a peaceful place, and with those grounds it seems like it could be put to such good use.<br /><br />Well, thanks for the update, somber as it may be. We won't shoot the messenger! JMjmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-13913691886438740112016-05-30T03:29:06.021-05:002016-05-30T03:29:06.021-05:00jmhouse, the hospital is being demolished and is i...jmhouse, the hospital is being demolished and is in final stages of that demolition. 😢Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17138310018323661380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-6510618438713950682016-05-30T03:26:03.569-05:002016-05-30T03:26:03.569-05:00jmhouse, I regret to tell you the hospital is bein...jmhouse, I regret to tell you the hospital is being demolished. I haven't been there for at least a month,but I helped empty the hospital of desks,fixtures, chairs and a lot of other stuff. Last I saw the plumbing was pulled and actual demolition is in progress. It's heart breaking. I do hope and pray that some how the rest will be saved and restored but it's not looking good for Fort Bayard. I have memories from most of my life there. As a child we went to picnics there. In high school I worked with YARC and a lot of our people lived at the hospital. Later I rode horses there and have always taken friends visiting from out of town to see the beauty, serenity and deer. Walking the halls of such an awesome facility was majestic and heart breaking knowing it was nearing is end. I think it would be an awesome place for veterans that are homeless and those with PTSD. It's such a peaceful place. Sorry to be a bearer of sad news. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17138310018323661380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-42429331946344408022015-06-01T16:31:51.056-05:002015-06-01T16:31:51.056-05:00Thanks for your comment, Anonymous. I didn't c...Thanks for your comment, Anonymous. I didn't come across any mention of the Fort Bayard Restoration and Development Coalition in my hunting around on-line, but I'm very happy to hear about it. I do see the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Bayard-Restoration-and-Development-Coalition/178604972181443?fref=ts" rel="nofollow">Facebook page</a> now. I sure hope something positive begins to happen eventually, and I certainly understand the forces you're up against. <br /><br />Very best of luck! JMjmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-37545466914943447012015-05-31T20:45:01.846-05:002015-05-31T20:45:01.846-05:00We have two organizations which have been doing th...We have two organizations which have been doing their best to save Old Fort Bayard. You mentioned the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society, but the at least 8-year-old group, Fort Bayard Restoration and Development Coalition, a 501c3, has been working with the Historic Preservation Society to get something positive to happen at the fort. As in many situations like this, all this is needed is MONEY, along with the will to fix it up. Plenty of groups around here would love to be able to rent and fix up one of the homes, but, so far, the state doesn't seem interested in letting a grass roots group do anything positive. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-55615274270944496982015-05-30T16:53:02.491-05:002015-05-30T16:53:02.491-05:00Those are all great ideas, Anonymous! If only ther...Those are all great ideas, Anonymous! If only there was someone sympathetic to the cause that was in such a position that they could begin to make those things happen. Heck, maybe someone like that will read this post and decide to do something!<br /><br />Jim Culp, I have a suspicion that the cost *might* be something like $1. I'm speculating, of course. However, the real cost of buying the fort would come in the form of maintenance and rehabilitation, which would likely (hopefully!) follow as a condition of such a sale.<br /><br />Thanks for your comments! JMjmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-49992333168326776642015-05-30T15:45:56.383-05:002015-05-30T15:45:56.383-05:00I wonder what the actual cost to purchase the prop...I wonder what the actual cost to purchase the property would be? My step-father (a World War II veteran) is buried there.<br />Kid Culphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10392328616298227057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-70698573897365177532015-05-30T13:53:04.151-05:002015-05-30T13:53:04.151-05:00Ft. Bayard would make a fantastic reintegration, t...Ft. Bayard would make a fantastic reintegration, training and housing center for returning New Mexico veterans. In addition to receiving medical and counseling services, veterans could repair, restore and maintain the property with the assistance of plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc. During the process they could learn a trade that will benefit them in civilian life. Veterans could be housed for a designated period of time upon discharge from service. In exchange, they would be required to learn a skill or one of several trades that would be necessary to restore, repair and maintain the Fort. After the buildings and grounds have been repaired and restored the Fort could be re-purposed as an event center, conferences, seminars, weddings, scouting, family reunions., etc. The sky is the limit!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-44971707104597946562015-05-29T10:28:09.013-05:002015-05-29T10:28:09.013-05:00Melissa Kline, it *would* be heartbreaking to see ...Melissa Kline, it *would* be heartbreaking to see Fort Bayard torn down, but since the hospital is still standing--as both you and Bobbie Grimes can confirm!--I'd say there's no imminent danger of wholesale demolition. The biggest threat at the moment continues to be neglect and the uncontrolled weathering of all those historic buildings.<br /><br />Thanks for your comments! JMjmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-17427933019970340222015-05-29T09:32:03.275-05:002015-05-29T09:32:03.275-05:00I Go Jogging There Everyday And It would Break My ...I Go Jogging There Everyday And It would Break My Heart To See It Torn Down. Fort Bayard Is So Beautiful And PeacefulAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16752176358984229276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-7454732776213527602015-05-29T00:40:14.407-05:002015-05-29T00:40:14.407-05:00As of May 28, 2015 it is standing.As of May 28, 2015 it is standing.Bob0S0https://www.blogger.com/profile/01966564905680728757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-16191164521254479482015-05-28T15:56:58.494-05:002015-05-28T15:56:58.494-05:00Anonymous, there is no true asking price for Fort ...Anonymous, there is no true asking price for Fort Bayard. Solicitations for expressions of interest from potential buyers have been made without exactly a flood of subsequent interest. NM General Services Secretary Ed Burckle is said to be considering any and all serious proposals though. <br /><br />My guess is that the sale price could be very low indeed if the buyer agrees to certain stipulations regarding clean-up and historic preservation. JMjmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-18569648149661801712015-05-28T15:53:16.668-05:002015-05-28T15:53:16.668-05:00Those are great recollections, Alejandro Del Llano...Those are great recollections, Alejandro Del Llano! I can imagine how much fun it was to roam around that area as a kid. I'm jealous. Keep playing the lottery! (But not TOO much, of course.)<br /><br />Many thanks for your comment. JM<br /><br />jmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-10783123684565060772015-05-28T15:16:35.054-05:002015-05-28T15:16:35.054-05:00How much are they asking? How much are they asking? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-9644524198778523622015-05-28T13:23:39.686-05:002015-05-28T13:23:39.686-05:00I lived in the little cottages there for many year...I lived in the little cottages there for many years growing up. It was the most amazing place to live and there was always something to see and do. You can see lots of deer, elk, and even an occasional mountain lion. It is full of "secret" places were we all knew were there be no one else seemed to have a clue. My favorite place was the larger waterfall (there are two of them). It is extremely dangerous when the water is running but great fun when it is not. I know it sound ironic. I had lots of good friends there. I hope they do something awesome with it. I would buy it if I won the lottery or something and I know exactly what to do with it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08848406050145410352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-25387781885433710432015-05-28T11:22:55.948-05:002015-05-28T11:22:55.948-05:00Anonymous, I'm really surprised at the number ...Anonymous, I'm really surprised at the number of people that have family ties to Fort Bayard. Either family members were stationed there, or worked in the hospital, or were even patients. One person told me they had a family member who worked at the hospital and then contracted tuberculosis and became a patient, too. Several people have contacted me to say that they spent part of their childhood there. Someone could write a book on Fort Bayard, I think.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your family history! JMjmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-80676808573794616502015-05-28T10:39:32.321-05:002015-05-28T10:39:32.321-05:00Many years ago my grandfather was a surgeon there ...Many years ago my grandfather was a surgeon there . That is where my dad,who was in the Army there, met my Mother. Dr. Washburn was my grandfather's name.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-51251756070316796722015-05-28T10:14:06.618-05:002015-05-28T10:14:06.618-05:00Thanks for the update, Anonymous! I figured the ho...Thanks for the update, Anonymous! I figured the hospital was still standing. I'm glad the deer are still there, too.<br /><br />Best, JMjmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-74875885137519683682015-05-27T23:44:14.886-05:002015-05-27T23:44:14.886-05:00most of the asbestos was removed in the mid 1990s ...most of the asbestos was removed in the mid 1990s <br />far more money is waisted by state and federal government that the cost of rebuilding fort bayard would be a drop in the bucket wcmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-51018874987260546072015-05-27T22:39:02.764-05:002015-05-27T22:39:02.764-05:00the hospital is still standing..I tend to go for a...the hospital is still standing..I tend to go for afternoon rides out their to see the deer and to reminisce when I would stay their with my aunt and uncle .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-51893795733226456112015-05-27T10:59:12.891-05:002015-05-27T10:59:12.891-05:00I really appreciate that, Shannon Wallace! I'm...I really appreciate that, Shannon Wallace! I'm glad you enjoy City of Dust.<br /><br />I think Fort Bayard is a place a lot of people would like to buy, myself included, if only money and lifestyle were not an issue!<br /><br />Anyway, thank you very much for stopping by. There are many more old, historic towns yet to come. The supply would seem to be endless.<br /><br />Best, JM jmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-1295398504857425302015-05-27T10:34:47.919-05:002015-05-27T10:34:47.919-05:00Thank you for the comment, Anonymous. It's tru...Thank you for the comment, Anonymous. It's true that one never knows if estimates of costs and whatnot are accurate or just conjured up as a means to an end. I added the word "reportedly" before mentioning the stated $100,000 annual cost of maintaining the hospital. I would actually be a bit surprised if the hospital was really torn down already. I'd put my money on it still standing, although I've been wrong before. Maybe someone can have a look and verify.<br /><br />On the other hand, fixing up Fort Bayard itself would clearly be very expensive, much more expensive than the purchase price, which is why I'd guess the price to buy might be relatively low. Not that I'm trying to dissuade anyone from tackling the place, mind you! It really is lovely.<br /><br />Thanks again! JMjmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-30110525962295238822015-05-27T05:50:59.259-05:002015-05-27T05:50:59.259-05:00Just wanted to drop by and thank you for your blog...Just wanted to drop by and thank you for your blog. It's really neat to read about these old towns that I never knew existed. This sounds like a place that we might be interested in buying...if we had the money and lifestyle that would allow it! What a neat, rich history this place holds! Thank you for sharing!Shannon Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15858693364105977689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-58533371557943488542015-05-27T00:00:37.390-05:002015-05-27T00:00:37.390-05:00It does not cost that much I know it was said by s...It does not cost that much I know it was said by someone who doesn't care about the place a lot of us do but we don't have a say. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com