Early Hispanos used the term “Ruidoso” to describe a noisy creek. Today’s Ruidoso grew up around Dowlin’s Mill. Will Dowlin survived his brother, after an employee shot Captain Paul dead.
By 1885, with a general store, blacksmith, post office, cabins along the Rio Ruidoso, and proximity to the Chisolm Trail Ruidoso, NM was born.
The Wingfield family operated a dairy and early post office. By 1914, cabins were being built in Upper Canyon. At Cedar Creek in 1935, a ski area opened on a sloping meadow.
On July 16, 1945, the Trinity Test could be felt by local people like an explosion.
By 1947, a race track was opened at Hollywood Park. Visitors played golf in the Gateway area. Finally, in 1963 the Mescalero Apaches purchased the ski area now known as Ski Apache.