# The living ghost town of Pinos Altos - Link: https://mywalkabout.net/the-living-ghost-town-of-pinos-altos/ - Published: 2026-11-06T05:41:17-07:00 - Author: My Walkabout **Back in the year 1860**, a couple of cowboy’s stopped by a river to let their horses get a drink when they saw gold flecks sparkling in the cool water. Thus started the building of Pinos Altos in the Gila National Forest just outside what is today Silver City, Nex Mexico. ![Red sign marking Pinos Altos Historic Town, 1860, against a cloudy blue sky.]( https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/HipstamaticPhoto-813102417.807448. jpg?resize=640%2C457&ssl=1) **The Gold Rush fever **that ensued quickly built up a schoolhouse, saloon, opera house, post office and several ramshackle homesteads. However this was Apache Indian land. War between the new settlers and the Native’s followed with bloodshed and death, mostly for the Apache Indians. ![Historic adobe building with ornate turquoise doors, weathered wooden siding, and a corrugated metal roof under a sunny blue sky](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout. net/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/IMG_1860.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1) **Today**, between 200-300 people call this place home, hence the name “living ghost town”. Most have summer homes, while a few work the tourist angle offering tours and a couple others still operate the Saloon. The Main Street is a quick and easy walk, allowing you to glimpse into the past while quenching your thirst at the bar if you desire. ![Outdoor yard display featuring metal animal sculptures, sunflowers, pumpkins, and a large rooster beneath a cloudy blue sky](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/ wp-content/uploads/2026/11/HipstamaticPhoto-813102385.470657.jpg?resize=640%2C457& ssl=1) **An afternoon thunderstorm** is in the distance as I kick dust along the road, looking at the strange outdoor museums and the artifacts scattered in the high desert grass. You won’t spend much time here, but I think the locals prefer quick visits from outsiders. They want their peace and quiet solitude. ### Share this: * [ Email ](https://mywalkabout.net/the-living-ghost-town-of-pinos-altos/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20The%20living%20ghost%20town%20of%20Pinos%20Altos&body=https%3A%2F%2Fmywalkabout.net%2Fthe-living-ghost-town-of-pinos-altos%2F&share=email) * [Post](https://x.com/share) * [Share on Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/share) * [ WhatsApp ](https://mywalkabout.net/the-living-ghost-town-of-pinos-altos/?share=jetpack-whatsapp) * [ Nextdoor ](https://mywalkabout.net/the-living-ghost-town-of-pinos-altos/?share=nextdoor) * [ Threads ](https://mywalkabout.net/the-living-ghost-town-of-pinos-altos/?share=threads) * [[ * [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) * [ Reddit ](https://mywalkabout.net/the-living-ghost-town-of-pinos-altos/?share=reddit) ### Like this: Like Loading…