Lake Valley Back Country Byway
Lake Valley Ghost Town, NM

Lake Valley was a town few people had every heard of until 1878. That was the year a blacksmith named John Leavitt took a lease on a claim and two days later discovered the most fabulous lode of silver the world has ever known. Called the "Bridal Chamber", it was a hollow in the hillside with walls of solid horn silver. Before it was all over, a spur from the railroad was extended into the "Bridal Chamber" and ore deposited directly into the ore cars. Total production from the "Chamber" was close to $2,775,000.

Worthy of note is the name of George W. Lufkin who together with a partner owned the claim on which Leavitt later covered the "Chamber." They sold the claim to the Sierra Grande Mining Company for $100,000 who in turn leased a portion to Leavitt who discovered the "Bridal Chamber." Lufkin, the first discoverer of silver in the area, died penniless and is buried in the Lake Valley cemetery.