Through the eyes of an outsider

Before I took this fellowship and found I would be working in Socorro for a year, I had only ever stopped in Socorro on the way to somewhere else. I did come visit before I made the “move,” which is actually camper living this summer, so I do not have to drive an hour back and forth to my own small town of Arrey. I was nervous but found some amazing and pleasant people who had a space for my little camper and gave me a home base. I stopped and ate at the Chinese restaurant, where my son put away several plates of sweet and sour chicken (no sauce). Still, I was very nervous, because to me, Socorro seems like a huge place. I come from a town of 280 people. I know everyone, there are no businesses except for one store, one restaurant, two bars, and just as many churches. When I go out, everyone knows me, and I get stuck in more conversations than I can count, just stopping at the store for a quick drink.

The first thing I noticed here was how friendly everyone was, though I am “the new guy.” With my nerves, it was harder for me to be the first to speak up, but nobody was mean to me, a far cry from the times I lived in places like Albuquerque or Las Cruces. Socorro has more space and more to do, but still has a small-town feel, which grew on me immensely.

I am a huge history buff. It is part of the reason I got into journalism. After years of poring over archives, many of which were for the El Defensor Chieftain, while working on college history projects based on New Mexico History. I am always on the lookout for a new history rabbit hole to fall down and find some obscure facts I can then pop into any conversation. My first ride through Socorro, the first thing I was struck by was the Owl Cigar mural on the side of a building on the main strip. I took a photo, and when I got home, I sat down in front of my computer to get the story behind it.

Here is what my dive into the archives of the Socorro County Historical Society found:

The Owl Cigar company started painting these murals nationwide for brand recognition starting in the 1880s. The one in Socorro was painted between 1887 and the early 1890s, well before the Great Depression. It is one of the best-preserved examples, even having a recent restoration done. While these “ghost signs” from the old Owl Cigar ad campaign remain, Socorro’s is one of only a handful, and probably the only one still in New Mexico! The Owl Cigar company was later rebranded as White Owl Cigars. They are still around, just look behind the cashier at any gas station, the small packs of flavored cigarillos are White Owl brand.

Now, when you pass by, either with people you know from town or maybe out-of-towners, you can tell them this fun piece of trivia and pass along a little story of something that makes your town so special. I look forward to exploring Socorro further and would love to share it with you all. If you see me out and about, I am hard to miss with my pink hair; feel free to say hello! I would love to meet you and hear your stories.