Colorado Ghost Town Books/Maps
Rayado NM or Reyado and even Ryado New Mexico Townsite - Ghost town
This town sits on the edge of the Philmont scout Ranch. It is located where the two Santa Fe trails, Mountain and Cimarron, intersect. The name is derived from the Spanish term "streaked". Not sure where that came from. Originally part of the famous Maxwell land grant and an important stop on the Santa Fe Trail.
Kit Carson lived here for awhile in 1849. Stories abound about his adventures with marauding Indians and the stealing of livestock by the Apaches. One version has Kit chasing down the Indians, killing 5, and retrieving his livestock. He also is credited with the capture of a Mr. Fox who apparently was plotting to murder a wealthy traveler. Kit claims the name Rayado comes from the Comanche Indian chief of the same name that lived in the area.
There was also a Federal Garrison located here. A post office was in operation from 1873 to 1911. Some claim this was one of the first permanent settlements in Colfax County. In the early 1920's the land was bought and then donated to the Boy Scouts of America by Waite Phillips.
Photos courtesy of Mike Sinnwell March 2009
Rocky Mountain Profiles Colorado Ghost Towns and Colorado Photos – Niwot Colorado