Madrid USA Postcard

Madrid is a historic, quirky town nestled in a narrow canyon along the scenic Turquoise Trail national scenic byway, just south of Santa Fe. Originally a thriving coal-mining town in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it famously became a ghost town after the mines closed. In the 1970s, artists and free spirits discovered the abandoned wooden cabins and transformed the town into a vibrant, bohemian artist enclave. Today, Madrid is famous for its eclectic strip of brightly painted colorful shops, art galleries, and cafes housed in vintage miner shacks. Visitors flock to the town to experience its laid-back, creative energy, explore unique handmade crafts, and enjoy the rugged desert beauty of the surrounding Ortiz Mountains.