18 Miles and That’s As Far As It Got: The Lamy Branch of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad

Enjoy a captivating flashback as the New Mexico History Museum presents "18 Miles and That’s As Far As It Got: The Lamy Branch of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad." This engaging exhibition will delve into the connections between the little town of Lamy and New Mexico’s legendary capital city of Santa Fe.

The centerpiece of the exhibition is the Lamy Train Model. Meticulously crafted by the Santa Fe Model Railroad Club, the 32-foot model transports visitors to the early 1940s, where wood frame and adobe buildings, stockyards, and the “Harvey House” defined the community. Maps, photographs, and text underscore the importance of the railroad in community development and how a distinctive architectural identity helped build New Mexico’s tourist economy.

Anchored at one end by Lamy’s iconic El Ortiz Hotel and at the other by La Fonda and the Palace of the Governors, early 20th-century travelers were immersed in a blend of Pueblo, Spanish, and Mission influences. Collectively known as the "Santa Fe Style," this architectural legacy continues to serve as a defining aspect of the region’s identity.  

Photo credit:  Lamy Model Train. Courtesy NMHM