Leasburg Dam State Park is perched on a small rise overlooking the Rio Grande. Unfortunately the river has been captured behind Elephant Butte dam many miles upstream, so there is no water at this time of year except for puddles from local springs. The campground has 2 distinct areas separated by a wash. To get to the showers, we walked a quarter mile trail through the wash and into the desert: a pleasant stroll to start the morning!
The Leasburg dam was built in 1905 to divert irrigation water to the Mesilla Valley via the Leasburg Canal. Today is is a historic relic. We walked a path between the damp riverbed and the old irrigation canal. We were hoping for lots of birds, but saw just a couple of ducks.
Fort Selden Historic Site
Less than a mile from the park is the Fort Selden ruins (crumbling adobe walls) and a small visitors center. The fort (circa 1865) protected travelers from Apache raiders. More soldiers were killed from action in the saloons of Mesilla than died pursuing their duties. The fort was abandoned in 1891.
Most of the adobe walls are rather deteriorated but some restoration work is being done using new adobe being made on site.
One of the fort’s most famous residents was General Douglas McArthur whose father was for a time the post commander. In the photo above, the general is standing far left next to his father.