Madrid

Madrid is a small settlement near Santa Fe situated in a valley between forested mountains and accessible via State Road 14. The elevation of about 1,835 meters (6,020 feet) and the surrounding landscape shape what visitors see when they arrive.

The settlement began in the 1830s when coal mining operations started around Cerrillos Coal Bank and a railroad connection arrived in New Mexico. Mining shaped daily life here for many generations afterward.

The former mining town has transformed into a place where artists live and work, with galleries and studios scattered throughout the settlement. Visitors can see how the Coal Mine Museum keeps the story of coal extraction alive for those passing through.

Visitors should expect cooler temperatures at this elevation, especially during winter months when snow can arrive. The warmest and most pleasant season for visiting is late spring through early fall.

The Oscar Huber Ballpark was among the first baseball fields to use electric lighting for night games, setting it apart from most other places in the region. This early adoption of technology allowed games to continue after dark.