Hachita, Grant County, New Mexico began as a settlement of miners
in the Little Hatchet Mountains. These mountains were long known for
deposits of turquoise and then, in 1877, A. H. Butterfield made strikes
of lead, copper and silver. As others staked claims around his,
the Eureka Mining District grew.
By 1882 Hachita's population was 300. The first Hachita post office was
opened. But by 1898, the mines had mostly played out and the people were
gone. The post office was closed. In the early 1900's, tracks were laid
about 9 miles east of the Eureka District in the flat and open Hachita
Valley. Trains were to carry passengers, freight and ore from Douglas
to El Paso! Those few still at old Hachita moved to the railroad
junction and brought the name Hachita with them. Thus
present-day new Hachita was established.