The Rock House

The U. S. Bureau of Reclamation began construction of Elephant Butte Dam in 1911.

When it was completed in 1916 it was the largest structure to impound water in the U.S.

 

The lake was 40 miles in length with 200 miles of shoreline.

It is the largest lake in New Mexico.

The city of

Elephant Butte

promotes itself as

"New Mexico's Diamond in the Desert"

Due mainly to the lengthy drought conditions in the southwest, the last time the lake was at capacity was 1996.

Reportedly it is down 80 feet or nearly one third.

Large upper and lower sections were connected by an area 4 miles long called The Narrows.

It is on the north end of the Narrows that the Rock House can be found.

After exiting Route 25 north of Elephant Butte, one follows a dirt road for MANY miles.

Finally the Rock House came into view.

When the lake was at capacity, it appears that the Rock House was surrounded by water.

Not being able to find any history on the place, we wonder.....

Was it surrounded by water?

How old is it?

Must be prior to the dam.

Who built it?

Did they live here year-round?

Did they come and go by boat or by land?

Just what is the story?

I've done my personal best.  I've found nothing on internet, asked at the state park and they don't know, have asked folks who run our rv park (they didn't know of its existence) and asked a local history buff - nada, nothing.

How can this be?

The trees are tall indicating that it has been many years since there has been any

great amount of water.

And, this small structure is the remains of what?

An outhouse or.........