T’Naus Nieto
The Chronicle-News

Last week the historic St. James Hotel & Saloon in Cimarron New Mexico announced that they would be officially closing its 152-year-old doors, with its official last day of operation September 16 this year.

The hotel said in its announcement, “It is with regret to inform the public of our upcoming closure… The staff and management would like to thank all our patrons for the continued support throughout the years.”

According to New Mexico Tourism, the hotel in Cimarron was once a popular stop for early gunslingers along the Santa Fe Trail. The University of New Mexico claimed that the establishment offered refuge to outlaws and Native Americans traveling on the trail as well and embodied the nature of the wild west, with “drinking, gambling and guns usually resulting in violence and death.”

According to KRQE, the hotel once housed famous outlaws such as Annie Oakley, Billy the Kids, Jesse James and Buffalo Bill.