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One of the oldest and most historical buildings in New Mexico, built in 1868, was gutted by fire today. Possibly a gas explosion. The thick adobe walls and the replica of the mill wheel survived the fire but the interior and roof went up in flames. The Old Mill is located on the main business street in Ruidoso.
One of the oldest and most historical buildings in New Mexico, built in 1868, was gutted by fire today. Possibly a gas explosion. The thick adobe walls and the replica of the mill wheel survived the fire but the interior and roof went up in flames. The Old Mill is located on the main business street in Ruidoso.
... the old Dowlin Mill was closed the last time I was there ...
It's been owned by the same family since the abandoned building was purchased by them right after WWII, possibly in 1946. It has always had a curio shop in it, run by the owners, but in more recent years they only are open on weekends, and not always then. Lately it's been used as a place for cozy concerts, dances and performances. The owner has been trying for years to get it placed on the various historic registers (state and national) in order to preserve its historic value to the community. They replaced the corrugated metal roofing a few years ago, and painted it to look like the original rusting roof.
Unfortunately, the interior has long been a firetrap without adequate sprinkler protection. Reports are that there was a gas leak and explosion preceding the fire. I feel sure there were security systems on the building since it held a valuable collection of the deceased owners photography, as well as retail inventory and historic relics of local interest.
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