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‘Radioactive resort’ — called Radium Hot Springs — lists in New Mexico. Take a look

“This property was built in 1930 by the Union Pacific Rail Road Company to serve as a Hotel for Traveling Guests,” the listing on Zillow.com says.
“This property was built in 1930 by the Union Pacific Rail Road Company to serve as a Hotel for Traveling Guests,” the listing on Zillow.com says. Screen grab from Zillow

It’s not every day that a once-considered “sacred place” lands on the real estate market — but then again this particular New Mexico property isn’t your average, run-of-the-mill property.

Property grounds
Property grounds Screen grab from Zillow

The vast property, which is listed for $2.499 million in Las Cruces, was called “Radium Hot Springs,” according to an article on the former resort, and has quite the backstory.

Old photo of hotel
Old photo of hotel Screen grab from Zillow

The history of Radium Springs, the hottest, strongest natural radium springs in the world, dates back to the time when Indian tribes made pilgrimages here,” the article says.

Article
Article Screen grab from Zillow

“The Springs became a sacred place, and no horseman was allowed to ride within a mile of the steaming waters. Even Geronimo, the famous Apache Chief, used to make his camp nearby, so he and his warriors could bathe in the revitalizing waters. Early Spanish settlers also used the Springs to rejuvenate themselves from the rigors of the New World, and later, soldiers from Fort Selden once again ‘discovered’ the beneficial powers of the Radium Springs.”

Property grounds
Property grounds Screen grab from Zillow

According to the listing on Zillow.com, the Union Pacific Railroad Company built the property in 1930 for travelers. Features include:

Property grounds
Property grounds Screen grab from Zillow
  • Main building with 15 bedrooms

  • Mineral hot springs (60 acre feet of hot water)

  • 10 acre feet of cold water

  • 14 acres of land

  • Three hot water wells

  • One cold well

  • Two outdoor pools

Interior
Interior Screen grab from Zillow

The property was featured on Friday Night Zillow, a social media segment that highlights unique properties on the real estate market, which is run by Bloomberg reporter Steven Dennis.

Interior
Interior Screen grab from Zillow

“Kicking off an EPIC #FridayNightZillow, exclusively tonight on Mastodon, with a RADIOACTIVE RESORT in New Mexico!” Dennis said on the social media platform. “Boasting ‘the hottest, strongest natural radium springs IN THE WORLD,’ the Radium Hot Springs resort features tons of history, a Billy the Kid connection, gorgeous scenery, and well, radium!”

Interior
Interior Screen grab from Zillow

Las Cruces is about 50 miles northwest of El Paso, Texas.

Old photo
Old photo Screen grab from Zillow


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This story was originally published December 19, 2022 at 12:16 PM with the headline "‘Radioactive resort’ — called Radium Hot Springs — lists in New Mexico. Take a look."

TJ Macias
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
TJ Macías is a Real-Time national sports reporter for McClatchy based out of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Formerly, TJ covered the Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers beat for numerous media outlets including 24/7 Sports and Mavs Maven (Sports Illustrated). Twitter: @TayloredSiren
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