Five Points Initiative

Revitalizing Communities - Building Economies

This project involves five distinctive historic properties located in proximity to U.S Highway 180 with significant potential to become drivers for community and economic development; connecting and sharing heritage, cultures, and creative initiatives. This restoration project will serve as a visual and action-based means towards re-energizing our rural communities in Grant County. The intent of this initiative, beyond renovating physical structures, is to elevate and celebrate the pride of our complex culture & history, uniting and inspiring Grant County residents to work collaboratively and creatively towards a common goal, ‘Juntos Podemos (Together We Can)’.

The Five Points Initiative vision came to life in early 2019, after the completion of a USDA Feasibility Study grant, which looked at the potential of implementing makerspaces and/or business incubators in Grant County. In collaboration with existing efforts to link Grant County communities via road, bike trails and walkways, the Five Points initiative will support & expand upon county-wide development in the outdoor recreation sector. Connections linked through biking, hiking and horse-riding trails offer extensive programming opportunities and health benefits. The proximity to Historic Fort Bayard will increase tourism activity and cultural programming prospects, as well as enhance connections to the Gila National Forest, Gila River, and Aldo Leopold Wilderness, for locals and tourists to further explore the innumerable natural assets of Southwest New Mexico.

Linking these five communities by road, bike trails and walkways will provide County-Wide development opportunities. Connections by bikes and walking offer great programming and health benefits. The proximity to Historic Fort Bayard increase tourism activity and cultural programming prospects and strengthens connections to the Gila National Forest and Wilderness Areas to better explore southwest New Mexico.

Using local youth, young adults, and community volunteers to help with restoration, landscaping, trail building and construction will creates jobs and helps develops a skilled workforce through work-based learning.
Multiple funding sources through foundation, state and federal grants and private investment.
The development of each site is driven by local community history, cultures and people sharing stories.

The Historic Waterworks Building

Located on Little Walnut Road, the Waterworks building was built in 1887 to provide Silver City with a reliable source of drinking water and infrastructure. Starting in 2020, swnmACT began the first steps in renovating the grounds surrounding the Waterworks building.

To read more about the progress on this project CLICK HERE.

Historic Waterworks Building. Located at ***1721 Little Walnut Rd, Silver City, NM 88061.***

The Whiskey Creek Zocalo

'“Whiskey Creek Zócalo is a family-run, community-minded space where people can gather, share ideas and conversation, food and drink, art and music, workshops and gardening, as well as education in the arts, sustainable practices and natural building.

An indoor, outdoor, multi-faceted venue and interactive events space featuring concerts and performance art, workshops, lodging, beer garden and market.

Our goal is to create an inclusive environment and destination venue that encourages sustainable rural economic development, benefits community, creates a bridge between the mining district and Silver City, and supports and celebrates a rural New Mexican lifestyle.”

-Melanie Zipin, Owner of the Whiskey Creek Zocalo located off Hwy. 180.

Visit the Whiskey Creek Zocalo website: CLICK HERE

Whiskey Creek Zocalo. Located at ***11786 US-180 East, Arenas Valley, NM 88022.***

The Bradley Hotel

Built in Santa Clara, NM in 1890, the Bradley Hotel had served the village and Fort Bayard as a brothel. Throughout the years this building has been a hotel, liquor store, convenience store and is currently a furniture making shop. The Village of Santa Clara has purchased the building in early 2023 and will start working on renovating the stucco in preparation of future renovations.

To read more about the purchase of the Bradley Hotel CLICK HERE.

Historic Bradley Hotel. Located at ***Bayard Street, from Gordon West, Santa Clara, NM.***

Bayard Union Hall

Originally an old barracks building from the Army Airforce Base in Deming, the building was purchased by union members associated with Mine-Mill Local 890 to serve as their union hall in the year 1948. Currently the building has been renovated and has been in operation as a museum featuring the areas long history in the mining community.

To read more about the history of the Local 890 Union Hall and swnmACT’s involvement CLICK HERE.

Bayard Union Hall. Located at ***302 Tom Foy Blvd. in Bayard, New Mexico 88023.***

The Hurley Train Station

The Hurley Train Station was part of the Sante Fe Railroad Depot and was built in the year 1891 and had been operational until the 1960’s. In cooperation with the town of Hurley, the train station will move locations on in Hwy 180 where it will operate as a visitors center for those coming into Grant County.

To read more about the Hurley Train Station and it future plans in the Five Points Initiative CLICK HERE.