Van Houten Mines

Van Houten was originally developed in 1901 and 1902 by the Raton Coal and Fuel Company.
The mines were then referred to as the Willow Mines.
In 1904 and 1905 the mines were renamed the Van Houten Mines after the company president, J. Van Houten.
In 1907 and 1908, the mines were taken over by the St. Louis Rocky Mountain and Pacific Company.
Kaiser Steel Corporation bought the Van Houten Mines in 1955 and sold the Canyon area to the National Rifle Association in 1974.

A Railroad operated by AT&SF, was completed in November of 1902. Six mines operated periodically from 1901 until 1954.
The coal mined in Van Houten Canyon was bituminous and primarily used for cooking. All mining was done underground.
At it's peak, approximately 1200 persons lived in the canyon.
This marker is dedicated to those who lived and mined in this canyon.
Installed in 1988 by the New Mexico Abandoned Mine Land Bureau.