Mahoney Mines- Tres Hermanas

If someone wanted to make an argument for the need to secure abandoned mines, The Mahoney Mines in the Tres Hermanas mining district could be used as the perfect example of abandoned mine dangers.  With the exception of steel fence posts driven into the ground and strung with barbed wire to cordon off some of the deeper shafts, the site is untouched.  You get the sense that the barbed wire is more to keep cattle from plunging down an abyss, than to save any persons poking around.   I have explored many mines around the state, and never have I seen so many potential dangers.  An extensive amount of mining activity took place here, there are so many vertical shafts and prospect pits that I stopped counting  or photographing them.  Some of the widest and deepest vertical shafts I've seen are located here.  Many mines in this region are at higher elevations, getting to them can be a chore, but  this undertaking was almost at ground level, as the miners dug, blasted and cut  into the low hills along the  northwestern edge of the Tres Hermanas range.  It's hard rock mining 101 as every mining technique you could think of was used here

The first deposits were discovered at Tres Hermanas in 1881, Production at the Mahoney Mines started in 1905, by 1907 ore was being shipped from the Tres Hermanas District all the way to the Mississippi Valley  for smelting.  The mines would remain in production until the 1920's, at the peak of production, $600,000 dollars of zinc, lead,silver, gold and copper ore were pulled from the hillsides.  What catches your eye first at the site, is a huge berm built from white and reddish tailings at the top of which are two shaft openings, on both sides of the berm are cave like openings with interconnecting tunnels and open shafts.  The main shaft at the top of the berm was one of the most productive mines in the district.  Most of the mining activity took place on three hills, (two small ones and one large) I walked around the larger hill looking for shafts and adits.  I discovered a network of connected tunnels and open shafts, these were more like caves, and seemed to go on for some distance, at a couple of places they dropped down to lower working levels.  The roofs are low but on average the openings are about twenty to thirty feet wide. The numerous open shafts allowed for sunlight and air to filter in as I explored further into the mine opening.

On the south side of the hill, there is another cluster of mines, these were part of the Bulldog group, they include several deep shafts, two large adits and one large mine cave.  I then swung further to the south where I found a group of mines that included an enormous open stope with two tunnels connecting to it. I also discovered a large adit with an open vertical shaft in the roof.  At the two smaller hills to the north I found more  deep shafts, cave like openings and a large adit. Beside the ever present snake danger, here you need to show caution around those shafts and adits that are home to several large bee colonies.  With the cactus flowers in full bloom bee activity is high.  When I was out there, the bees were not overly aggressive, but if disturbed they will swarm. There are deep shafts at almost every turn,  there is an abundance of hazards throughout the area.  It is not a place for novice explorers or the foolhardy, remember these hills are not foolproof!

J.A. Mahoney was Deming's version of mining magnate George Hearst.  He was a shrewd investor with an uncanny knack for making a dollar.  As owner of the Mahoney Store, he dominated the local retail market.  He held a monopoly on furniture sales, operated a lumber yard and owned a mortuary parlor. During World War I, Mahoney and other Deming merchants struck pay dirt by supplying goods to the army training base at Camp Cody.  It was a simple case of supply and demand, so while the Iowa and Minnesota National Guardsmen training at the base grew bitter over getting gouged for goods whenever they came into town. The local merchants could just ignore their plight and continue to haul their cash to the bank. The situation got so out of control that the U.S. Army was forced to implement price controls for goods and rental properties. While J.A. Mahoney was an astute commercial business man, when it came to staking mining claims few men were his equal.  Mines owned and operated by Mahoney and his investors were some of the most productive in Luna County.  Mahoney would also serve in the New Mexico senate, admirably representing his home region.  He lived out his life in the place he had helped to build  and that in turn had helped him build his wealth. He passed away at his Deming home in 1943.  Today it's hard to say if we should admire him for his ambition, or hate him for plundering the environment and landscape without remorse.  It was his drive that brought industry and commerce to Luna County and for that he deserves his place in our history. 

The obituary of Deming pioneer and prominent businessman J.A. Mahoney as published in the Deming Headlight, Mahoney was preceded in death by his wife earlier that same year:

Death Takes Mrs. J.A. Mahoney   Jan. 7th 1943
Funeral services were held for Mrs. Joseph A. Mahoney Jan. 2, 1943 from the Church of the Holy Family with interment in Mountain View cemetery.  Mrs. Mahoney passed away Thursday evening after a long illness.  A native of Indiana, she came to New Mexico as a bride, where he has lived ever since.  Mrs. Mahoney is survived by her husband, a daughter, Mrs. Bernard J. Carney and three grandchildren, Joan, BJ  III and Celia.

The death Monday evening of J.A. Mahoney, pioneer business man and builder of Deming, removed from Deming one of her most prominent citizens.  Death occurred after an illness of about three month.  Mr. Mahoney came to Deming in 1882 and since then had been actively engaged in business up to the present time.  He was born and reared in Ladoga, Indiana  where he attended high and normal schools.   For years he was active in any cause leading to the advancement of the interest of Deming and was one of the founders of Luna County. He was vitally interested in the public schools and was trustee for over twenty years.  During that time new buildings were erected, the main one being the Alice Smith school building. He was also regent of the State Teachers College at Silver City, New Mexico and the A & M College at Las Cruces.  He took an active interest in state affairs and was a member of the State Legislature in 1897. He also served on the State Board of Equalization  and was a member of the State Highway Board for four years.  As a member of the Deming Chamber of Commerce, he personally spent his time and money bringing new enterprises to Deming. He never lost faith in the future of Deming and erected one of the finest store buildings in the state at Deming. He was a devout member of the Catholic Church and was instrumental in having the present church building built in Deming. He was a charter member of the Elks Lodge at Silver City and a member of the Knights of Columbus at Albuquerque New Mexico.  Charitable to all and with malice toward none, he will be missed by many needy families in Deming.  Mr. Mahoney's passing will be regretted by those who knew him best.  He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Bernard J. Carney and three grandchildren, Joan and Celia of Deming and Sgt. Bernard J. III, who is stationed at Scott Field, Illinois.  Funeral services were held Thursday from the Holy Family Church and burial was at Mountain View Cemetery in Deming, New Mexico. Thurs. July8th 1943

Directions:  Take NM 11  (Columbus Highway) 12.6 miles south from Deming, at the bend in the road, turn left onto State Route 517 (Brazil Rd.) follow this road for appox 7 miles to a stockyard, go through the gate (close gate please) the mines are on the left.
road conditions:  asphalt and dirt, very good
worth the trip:  yes  (not a place for kids)
mine danger:  extreme
snake danger: extreme
public or private:  BLM