Discover Black History in Alamogordo's Early Days

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 From Buffalo Soldiers to Pioneering Settlers in Early Alamogordo

The narrative of Black history in Alamogordo, New Mexico, predates the town's official platting in 1898, rooted deeply in the rugged terrain of the Tularosa Basin and the broader movements of the American West. Before the whistle of the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad echoed through the mountains, the presence of African Americans had already left an indelible mark: the Buffalo Soldiers.

When the government re-organized the Army after the Civil War, for the first time it created several regiments to be made up entirely of African American troops. Almost 200,000 African Americans had served as soldiers in the Civil War in specially designated regiments. The new regiments were to be part of the regular army.

For more than a decade after the Civil War, the South was under military law governed by the U.S. Army and enforced by U.S. soldiers. To keep the new, African American regiments away from toxic environment of the South, these regiments were sent to the western frontier. They were also needed there because the U.S. was intensifying its campaigns to force the various Indian tribes on to reservations.

The African American regiments, which accounted for about 10% of the army's troops, were scattered around dozens of frontier forts at isolated western posts. Their commissioned officers were all white, and there was tremendous prejudice against the black soldiers. Their equipment was inferior to that of white soldiers, but their enthusiasm was not. Many of them had been former slaves in the South, and they were now wearing the uniform of the U.S. Army. These regiments had by far the lowest desertion rates in the army during the 1880s and 1880s.

The 9th U.S. Cavalry was transferred from Texas to New Mexico in 1876. The 12 troops or companies of the regiment were parceled out to various New Mexico forts, including Fort Union. Soon after their arrival at Fort Union, the troops were pressed into service as local police officers. Long-running disputes between heavily armed residents, known locally as the Colfax County Wars and the Lincoln County Wars, threatened anarchy in parts of New Mexico. Despite prejudice from some of the locals, the Buffalo Soldiers helped keep the peace among warring factions.

When not out scouting for Indians, the troops at Fort Union were kept busy with fatigue duty--non-soldierly chores like cutting firewood, repairing buildings and roads, and stringing telegraph wires. Buffalo Soldiers installed pipes for the fort's indoor plumbing system and laid the sidewalks that still grace the fort ruins.

There was even some fun involved. The regimental band accompanied the troops to Fort Union, and soon the musicians were in great demand around the territory to play for military ceremonies, weddings and holidays. Initially based at Fort Union, the 9th Cavalry band was stationed at several New Mexico forts and the territorial capital of Santa Fe, where they played for the 1880 visit by President Rutherford B. Hayes. 

The most challenging combat by far for the Fort Union garrison was the fighting against Apache Indians in southern New Mexico. Unhappy with the desolate San Carlos reservation in southeastern Arizona, angry Apache Indians under the leadership of Victorio proved to be formidable enemies. The fighting against the Apache Indians was intense, hard-fought combat. The battles typically occurred in rocky, mountainous terrain chosen by the Apache Indians, and the Buffalo Soldiers were often outnumbered.

The only troops serving at Fort Union who ever were awarded the Medal of Honor were the Black members of the 9th U.S. Cavalry. The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest award for military valor. Soldiers who served at Fort Union and were awarded the Medal of Honor include:

• Corporal Clinton Greaves, 1877, for breaking through an enemy Apache line that completely surrounded his scouting party.
• Sergeant Thomas Boyne, 1879, for bravery in battle against Victorio's Apache warriors.
• Sergeant John Denny, 1879, see photo at right thought to have ventured into Otero County near Alamogordo.
• Sergeant Henry Johnson, 1879, for rendering critical aid under intense fire to U.S. troops surrounded by Ute warriors in northwestern Colorado.
• Sergeant George Jordan, 1879, for defending civilians under attack by Victorio's Apache warriors.
• Sergeant Thomas Shaw, 1881, for outstanding bravery while outnumbered more than two to one by Apache fighters. - Source National Park Service

The Railroad: A Magnet for Opportunity and Black Migration:

The true catalyst for Black settlement in what would become Alamogordo was the construction of the El Paso and Northeastern Railway in the late 1890s. For many African Americans in the Jim Crow South, the railroad represented more than just transportation; it symbolized opportunity, a chance for economic independence, and a new beginning away from the rigid caste systems and violence of their former homes.

Laborers, both skilled and unskilled, were in high demand for the arduous task of laying track, blasting tunnels, and building trestles through the unforgiving New Mexico landscape. Many Black men, often migrating from southern states like Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, found employment with the railroad. They toiled alongside Mexican, Anglo, and other ethnic groups, facing dangerous working conditions, long hours, and meager pay. However, for many, it was an improvement over sharecropping or the limited opportunities available elsewhere.

The Birth of a Township and Founding Families:

When Charles Eddy and his associates founded Alamogordo as a carefully planned company town in 1898, designed around the railroad and burgeoning timber industry, Black settlers were among the very first to arrive and contribute to its construction. The town’s orderly layout even included designated areas for African American residents, though these were often on the less desirable outskirts in the areas now known as Delaware Avenue, Maryland Avenue and Miami Street, indicative of the racial segregation prevalent at the time.

These early Black settlers came for a myriad of reasons. Some were railroad workers who decided to make Alamogordo their permanent home after the lines were laid. Others were drawn by the prospect of work in the new lumber mills established by the Eddy brothers, processing timber from the Sacramento Mountains. Still others arrived with entrepreneurial spirit, seeing a need for services within the growing community.

They established their homes, built churches – which quickly became the social and spiritual heart of the community – and opened small businesses, contributing to the town's fledgling economy. 

Barbers, laundresses, cooks, blacksmiths, and domestic workers were just some of the professions taken up by these pioneering Black residents. They, like their white counterparts, sought land, stability, and the chance to build a better future for their families in a new, unfamiliar territory. Their origins varied, but their shared desire for self-sufficiency and community building bonded them in this new frontier. Despite the challenges of racial prejudice, they carved out a vibrant and essential presence, enriching the cultural mosaic of early Alamogordo and setting the stage for future generations.

Key Early Black Families and Individuals (1880s-1920s):

It's important to note that Alamogordo was officially founded in 1898. Therefore, any Black presence in the 1880s would likely be transient laborers connected to early railroad surveying or military activities in the broader Tularosa Basin, rather than settled families within the defined townsite. The substantial Black settlement began with the town's founding and the arrival of the railroad.

 The Early Days of Black history in Alamogordo reflect a community shaped by segregation, resilience, and gradual progress toward integration. From the early 1900s through the mid-20th century, Black residents faced separate facilities, including the Delaware School (also known as Corinth), which served Black students until full integration in the early 1950s. Nearby, Dudley School primarily educated Hispanic children during segregation but transitioned to Hispanic and Black children till full intergration in 1950, highlighting the town's early divided landscape influenced by proximity to Texas and military presence at what became Holloman Air Force Base which led to early changes. 

Integration advanced earlier in Alamogordo than in many places, driven by military pressure and the leadership of the football coach Rolla Buck who championed integrated schools for personnel families. Hispanic students transitioned into Alamogordo High School starting in the late 1940s, while Black students were admitted to the high school in 1949, with full system-wide integration completed by 1951—predating the national Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954. This made Alamogordo a pioneer in New Mexico school desegregation. Alamogordo was seen as a textbook example of smooth integration and the " 

The Early Days of Black history in Alamogordo reflect a community shaped by segregation, resilience, and gradual progress toward integration. From the early 1900s through the mid-20th century, Black residents faced separate facilities, including the Delaware School (also known as Corinth), which served Black students until full integration in the early 1950s. Nearby, Dudley School primarily educated Hispanic children during segregation, highlighting the town's divided landscape influenced by proximity to Texas and military presence at what became Holloman Air Force Base.

Integration advanced earlier in Alamogordo than in many places, driven by military pressure for integrated schools for personnel families. Hispanic students transitioned into Alamogordo High School starting in the late 1940s, while Black students were admitted to the high school in 1949, with full system-wide integration completed by 1951—predating the national Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954. This made Alamogordo a pioneer in New Mexico school desegregation.

Lawrence Pigford stands out as a pivotal educator in this era. A Black teacher and former principal of Booker T. Washington Elementary, Pigford was one of only two Black instructors at the Delaware School. Holding a bachelor's from Prairie View A&M (Texas) and a master's from Northern Colorado University, he taught grades 8–12 subjects like math, shop, and possibly architectural drawing, while coaching tennis. When Black students integrated Alamogordo High School, Pigford accompanied them to support the transition. Described as outgoing, pleasant, and deeply respected, he was credited by community figures like coach Rolla Buck's son Edgar and George Abbott for helping ensure peaceful integration. Pigford and his wife Sarah, a registered nurse, lived at 323 Delaware Street. Sadly, he died on March 15, 1953, at age 35 from a brief illness (rheumatic fever), just one year after key integration steps, and was buried in Monte Vista Cemetery.

Albert Simon, an Alamogordo High School graduate (class of 1966), navigated discrimination as one of the early African American students. Seated at the back of classrooms and involved in the African American Club and band, he faced barriers post-graduation. After serving three years in the U.S. Army (stationed in Munich, Germany), he applied to the University of Maryland but was initially blocked due to policies affecting African Americans. Recalling, "They accepted me, but then they found out I was Black," Simon pursued legal action, contributing to policy changes that allowed his enrollment by 1974. He later mentored students and remained active in the community, including at Owen A.M.E. Church.

The Lewis family embodies multi-generational roots in Alamogordo's Black community. Bobbie J. Lewis (also Bobby J. Lewis) appears in early photos, including one with young Virginia on a streetcar-like setting and another posing proudly by a vehicle. Virginia Lewis Hobson (1930–2020), raised by adopted mother Bobbie J. Lewis, lived a life tied to the area's early Black residents, with preserved images showing her elegance and family connections.

Mable A. Banks was an active student in the 1950s, participating in Pep Squad, Rocket Squad, FHA (Future Homemakers of America), Chorus, GAA (Girls Athletic Association), and more at Dudley or Alamogordo High. Her 1954 photos and joyful note—"Always happy"—capture engagement in school life during transition years.

Sanford "Tom" Thomas represents everyday community members who made a difference in the fabic of Alamogordo culture, with historic photos showing him in classic attire near markets or homes on streets like New York Avenue, contributing to the vibrant Black enclave and advocating for a strong vibrant community.

Business life flourished in areas like New York Avenue on the 900 and 800 Blocks, home to a shoe repair shop and shine parlor and where Black barbers and workers served the community—evidence of self-sustaining enterprises amid segregation.

Broader inspirations that resonated with the local Black community includes Bass Reeves, the first Black U.S. deputy marshal west of the Mississippi (born enslaved in 1838, gained freedom, arrested thousands with a courteous style—possibly inspiring the Lone Ranger). While not directly tied to Alamogordo, his legacy resonates in local lore honoring Black Western pioneers.

These stories highlight Alamogordo's Black pioneers in education, civil rights, and daily life, preserving a legacy of strength and progress." was introduces as a model to other school systems around the south.

Lawrence Pigford stands out as a pivotal educator in this era. A Black teacher and former principal of Booker T. Washington Elementary, Pigford was one of only two Black instructors at  Alamogordo's Delaware School (Corinth School). Holding a bachelor's from Prairie View A&M (Texas) and a master's from Northern Colorado University, he taught grades 8–12 subjects like math, shop, and possibly architectural drawing, while coaching tennis. When Black students integrated Alamogordo High School, Pigford accompanied them to support the transition. Described as outgoing, pleasant, and deeply respected, he was credited by community figures like coach Rolla Buck's son Edgar and George Abbott for helping ensure peaceful integration. Pigford and his wife Sarah, a registered nurse, lived at 323 Delaware Street. Sadly, he died on March 15, 1953, at age 35 from a brief illness (rheumatic fever), just one year after key integration steps, and was buried in Monte Vista Cemetery.

Albert Simon, an Alamogordo High School graduate (class of 1966), navigated discrimination as one of the early African American students. Seated at the back of classrooms and involved in the African American Club and band, he faced barriers post-graduation when seeking a university educatiion. After serving three years in the U.S. Army (stationed in Munich, Germany), he applied to the University of Maryland but was initially blocked due to policies affecting African Americans. Recalling, "They accepted me, but then they found out I was Black," Simon pursued legal action, contributing to policy changes that allowed his enrollment by 1974. He later mentored students and remained active in the community, including at Owen A.M.E. Church.

The Lewis family embodies multi-generational roots in Alamogordo's Black community. Bobbie J. Lewis appears in early photos available for viewing at the Tularosa Basin Museum, including one with young Virginia on a streetcar-like setting and another posing proudly by a vehicle. Virginia Lewis Hobson (1930–2020), raised by adopted mother Bobbie J. Lewis, lived a life tied to the area's early Black residents, with preserved images showing her elegance and family connections.

Mable A. Banks was an active student in the 1950s, participating in Pep Squad, Rocket Squad, FHA (Future Homemakers of America), Chorus, GAA (Girls Athletic Association), and more at Dudley and then Alamogordo High. Her 1954 photos and joyful note—"Always happy"—capture engagement in school life during transition years.

Business and home life flourished in areas like New York Avenue and in the streets around Miami Street, evidence of self-sustaining enterprises and a community closely connected to one another amid segregation.

These stories highlight Alamogordo's Black pioneers in education, civil rights, and daily life, preserving a legacy of strength and progress and are just the tip of the iceberg of the contributions of Black Alamogordan's to its quality of life.