shakespeare ghost town

Had heard they were never open. Called and verified that they were opened on Mar 7 per their website. Verified a 10AM and 2PM tour. Arrived at 940. Gate was locked. Called and was told guides were somewhere on property. Told the person the gate was locked. He stated he could not reach tour guides and just to come up. Since we could not see anyone on property or a vehicle and the road went on for a considerable distance. Waited to see if anyone would come open the gate at 10. Never saw anyone on property. Used binoculars to check if anyone was around. Finally left. Since it is a long way from anyplace besides Lordsburg would not recommend you drive to see this place. Not sure what is going on with Southwestern NM but this is the 3rd place we have tried to see and the attractions have been closed. Guess they don't need the money.

The only thing I don't like is that you can only visit the town on scheduled tour dates. I wish it was open all the time so that visitors can drop in on their way coming thru town. It's a beautiful and quiet place with so much history!

Shakespeare usually opens up every other weekend in the fall and is worth your time if you are in the area. The tour guide I have had both times I have been there is a great story teller and very knowledgeable. It is incredible to step back into the past and see what it was like to live in this area over a hundred years ago. They often have a blacksmith who showed us how they use to make nails, and their gun collection is pretty cool.

My husband and I just took a tour of this ghost town and it was so much fun! Our tour guide was very friendly and nice and had so much information about the town and it's history, as well as the Hill family who bought it in the 30s. We loved our time here and would recommend anyone who is interested in history, to take one of the monthly tours. It's well worth the $4.00 they charge. I hope this place continues on giving tours and preserving a bit of history. Well worth the time to stop and see it and hear the history! Thank you, again!!

My wife and I were traveling from Tucson back to our home in Albuquerque and stopped off at the Visitors Center in Lordsburg. We learned that four times a year the privately owned "ghost town" opened for visitors to tour and discover. So we went back this past September and took our grandson with us. Well, the entry fee was very reasonable and the group of volunteers who took us on the tour couldn't have been more congenial, interesting, and funny. Famous western folks were part of the history as well as some not so well known characters. One steps back to the time of Billy the Kid - he washed dishes in the still standing "hotel's" kitchen - Russian Bill, the Clantons, Curly Bill Brocius, Johnny Ringo, and other less known characters. The mining history is sparkled with booms, busts, and "salting" of sites. Murders, gunfights, and plain ol' disputes are addressed. There's even a southwestern dancing school from the early 20th century. We all had a wonderful time learning, seeing re-enactments of gunfights, enjoying a blacksmith showing us how to make nails - he gave one to our grandson - and savoring the starkness and beauty of such a remote place in the desert. There's also a collection of firearms - I'm not an expert - which is astounding. This is a place where you need to take a morning or afternoon enjoying. BTW the Comfort Inn in Lordsburg is splendid for many reasons. Would recommend you staying there.

The websight clearly stated they would be open to day and there were three families waiting for me to call to find out the websight is not correct. Off by a month. Don't believe what you read.

Nice town, but after JennnyLou passed away, it is not the same town with nice decor, maintance and old articles thru out like before 16 years ago.

The tour of Shakespeare Ghost Town was excellent and very enjoyable. We went through various buildings and had plenty of time to photograph the interiors.

Really takes you to another time. It usually is not opened. I think the family who runs it might not be doing it any more. If there's a phone number call first.

Nothing to see here unless you want to waste some time in Lordsburg. The drive south from the interstate is more interesting than the venue if you want to experience a ghost town.

Really fun experience!!the fees are very affordable. Check their website for more info. Worth the walk!!

The owner of the private ghost town ranch is no longer able to give tours, so one weekend a month someone else leads tours. The dates are listed on the website http://www.shakespeareghostown.com/There is a lot of interesting ranch and area history and the tour guide has been around enough to make it interesting. Plenty of photo sites. A great private gun collection. It's only about 2 miles out of Lordsburg. Check out the cemetery on the way.

... deserve rating by those who have visited, seen, and been touched by the special character of this town and the special characters of its history... rather than someone who didn't take the tour. The story of the Hills and Houghs -- Manny Hough is still there and, I hope, still sharing the history-- starting in the mid-1930's is one of perseverance, rugged individualism, scholarship and sensitivity to history and the land. My Dad discovered Shakespeare in the mid-1980's...and returned many times. I finally got to see it with him in 2000. Though I haven't been able to get back from South Carolina, I send a gift each year... and say "thanks" to the wonderful Shakespeare folks who work so hard to preserve this unique piece of Southwest and American history. Shakespeare is much more than a museum... it is living history.

We decided not to take the tour. The ghost town looked interesting and my guess is you would learn a lot of history but after viewing the ghost town from a distance, it looked kind of small for two hours.If you like museums, you would probably love this tour.

An absolute jewel. Won't bore you with details, just be sure to schedule your trip with their calendar in mind. http://www.shakespeareghostown.com/calendar.html they are very limited in staff and volunteers.Well worth the trip.