Until 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch discovered the Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, it was thought that the best cure was plenty of sunshine and a dry climate. Our El Paso/Las Cruces southwest climate of mild winters, low rainfall and humidity and plenty of sunshine were just the right places for sanitoriums for tuberculars. With the completion of the Southern Pacific, Railroad in 1881 those suffering from tuberculosis were encouraged to go west.
Hotel Dieu was opened by the Sisters of Charity in 1894. Providence Hospital, a major health-care facility today, had its roots in tubercular care. Still standing today are the Homan Sanatorium, better known to most of us as the old Southwest General Hospital, the Hendricks/Laws Sanitorium, now the Roger Bacon Seminary, and the Southern Baptist Sanitorium, although in disrepair, is owned and stands behind the Baptist Publishing House.
Then there was the Dripping Springs Resort started by Eugene Van Patten and later sold to Dr. Nathan Boyd and then to Dr. Sexton of Las Cruces who continued to operate it as a sanitorium.
Today the Las Cruces Office of the Bureau of Land Management manages the Dripping Springs Natural Area.
Rio Grande Trails and Tales will be visiting that beautiful area this Saturday, March 9th, at 9AM. Get more info about the event HERE.