The Sacramento Mountains are an oasis of cool pine forests; alpine meadows; and fast-flowing streams. For more than a century; the area has been a summer haven for people living in the surrounding desert. The town of Ruidoso�a Spanish word meaning �noisy��is named for the sound of water rushing over rocks as the Rio Ruidoso runs (and occasionally rampages) through the town. The town�s first resident; Civil War veteran Paul Dowlin; built an adobe mill that harnessed the river�s power. Word of the area�s beauty soon spread. Traveling over primitive roads; first by horse and wagon and later by automobile; visitors escaped the summer heat in what became known as �The Playground of the Southwest.� Some came for horse racing or the gambling and night life offered by the town�s many bars; others came to hike; fish; and later ski on the slopes of Sierra Blanca; the mountain whose 12;000-foot peak provides a stunning backdrop for the town.
#1008567 in eBooks 2008-09-29 2008-09-29File Name: B0099ISHGS
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great book about Westlake!By ClaudiaI grew up in this district. and this book had so many wonderful memories from the 50s and 60s. I totally enjoyed it!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great book!By Debbie H.I grew up in this area and it was wonderful to see places that I remember fondly. Great book to have around for your kids to see.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Reliving the development of Doelgers WestlakeBy Joan M. LevyWestlake was a phenomenon of the post WWII housing boom. This book makes available the private photo collection of the Doelger Estate. The pictures document the development of Henry Doelgers Westlake planned community and with some other photos bring the story up to date. Meaningful and detailed captions bring to life the history and lifestyle of those times. The author and her husband are the quintessential experts on the history of this area. so the insights provided are dead-on accurate.
