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Dawson New Mexico Association
528 N. First Street
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 Click here to view a panorama photo of Dawson (circa early 1950's)
Click here to view a drone video of the Dawson Cemetery in 2016 Click here to view a drone video of Dawson, Rail Canyon, and Capitan Hill in 2016 Click here to listen to a ballad by Rick Landers as a tribute to the Dawson miners who lost their lives in coal mine explosions of 1913 and 1923 |
Nicolette Psyllas Panagopoulos, who coordinated the event, summarized the activities as a gravesite memorial honoring the victims of BOTH mining disasters (1913 and 1923) which was held Sunday, February 5, 2023, at the Dawson Cemetery at 3 pm. The weather was dry and clear. A traditional Orthodox memorial service was chanted. The names of those who perished in both disasters were read. Wreaths were also laid. The American Hellenic Education Progressive Association (AHEPA) made this memorial a national project. They did so in respect and humility. Greeks, along with Italians and other immigrant groups, came to this country for a better life. The mining victims gave the ultimate sacrifice in providing for their families. Let us all join together and honor their memories. To see photos of the memorial click here. The 2022 Dawson Reunion had one of it's largest turnouts yet. There were 582 people who attended the reunion picnic on Sunday, September 4, 2022. On Saturday, there was a large group that attended a Dawson book presentation by Nick Pappas at the Raton Museum. Nick is a well-known journalist whose book about Dawson is coming out in 2023 and will mark the 100th anniversary of the 1923 mine explosion. Pietro Scarafiotti, a descendant of several generations of former Dawson residents and coal miners, was also present to assist in answering questions regarding Dawson coal mining operations and miners' life in the mines. On Saturday evening, many others attended a Dawson Reunion Social held at the Elk's Lodge in downtown Raton, NM. This was an opportunity for those coming to the reunion to meet old and new friends and share memories of life in Dawson before it was closed in 1950. A special treat this year was having Delores Huerta attending the Labor Day weekend events. Delores is a very famous labor leader and civil rights activist with Cesar Chavez, who together formed the National Farmworkers Association. Delores Huerta was born in Dawson, NM and shared many of her childhood memories with those who attended the Dawson Reunion Picnic the following day at the orginal Dawson townsite. This year Joe Bacca, who normally coordinates the cleaning of the Dawson Cemetery and insures that the reunion goes as planned, was unable to attend because of back surgery in Denver. Our last update on Joe was that his surgery was successful, although he will be in rehabilitation for a while. In his absence, his daughter, Bobbie Jo Bacca, and many related family members were responsible for the organization of the very successful reunion activities. Those who deserve recognition are Bobbie Jo Bacca and her family cemetery cleanup crew, Angel Bacca, Cindy Macias (Ed and Betty Zavala's daughter), Rea Ann Bacca and Ray Flores. With the unexpected cancellation of the food truck this year, those who stepped up to cook and serve hot dogs were Angelo Vialpando and Hailey Bacca. Please forgive us if we failed to mention others who helped. The Dawson Reunion Committee is still selling tee shirts for the 2022 Reunion until they are all sold. They are good quality tee shirts and are gray in color with black and white Dawson pictures spelling out, "Dawson". They are $20.00 plus shipping per shirt. You can purchase them several different ways: one way is by emailing Joe Bacca at baccaj2000@msn.com and let him know how many tee shirts and what sizes you want to purchase. Give him your address so he can calculate shipping and he will send you the total cost for your purchase along with all the information for paying by check or PayPal to baccaj2000@msn.com. If you wish to pay by cash or by a cash Internet banking app, you can do so by sending it to bobbiejobacca@yahoo.com. All the money received from the tee shirt sales goes back into paying for future reunion costs. See photos of tee shirts by clicking here. Did you like the free Dawson Picnic Handout that you received at the gate this year? Well, since the rain shut down the picnic early, the Dawson Association still has some left and Joe Bacca would like for you to have extras, however, you will need to pay the shipping charge of $3.00 for shipping to you. The Dawson Association also still has Old Dawson Photo CDs left which are $10.00 plus $3.00 for shipping. Folks, you do not want to miss out on the photo CDs there are approximately 200 old Dawson photos on it, The Bacca family worked with Roger Sanchez at the Raton Museum to photograph their old photo collection, you will not find a collection like this again. Remember, the sales proceeds from the CD's go to support both the reunion picnic and the cemetery fund. Joe Bacca's email contact is baccaj2000@msn.com One of our Dawson Reunion members, Tom Hay, has asked Joe Bacca to coordinate a donation drive to purchase a iron mule to be placed in the front of the coal mine pit car which is presently on display at the Dawson Cemetery. This will be in honor of the many mules that were used for years to haul coal from the mines. Tom Hay has started this project by donating $200 and Joe Bacca has donated $100. This way, the iron mule can be ordered and built by February 2020 and in place at the Dawson Cemetery for the reunion in September 2020. The total cost of the project is estimated to about $800. Below is a photo of a similar coal pit mule on display in Raton and at the NRA Whittington Center between Raton, NM and the Dawson Cemetery turnoff. Donations may be mailed to Joe Bacca, Dawson Association, 528 North First Street. Raton, NM 87740. If donations exceed the actual cost of the iron mule, the excess will be applied to future Dawson Reunion expenses Good News! In response to its proposal, the Dawson New Mexico Association received a grant from the Freeport McMoRan Foundation to make much-needed improvements to the Dawson Cemetery. The grant is covering the cost of building a strong, high game fence around the cemetery to keep elk and cattle out of the graveyard. These large animals have been breaking through the old barbed wire fence and roaming through the cemetery for years. This has resulted in serious damage to many of the headstones and other grave markers. The other immediate need at the cemetery was restoring the drainage system to protect the graveyard from stormwater erosion. During rainstorms in the past, water ran through the graveyard and over the gravesites causing erosion and washing away topsoil around many of the grave markers including the metal crosses that mark many of the Dawson miners' graves. To remedy this erosion problem, the diversion ditches above and around the cemetery have been re-established to divert stormwater around the graveyard. Photos of this construction may be seen by clicking here. The Dawson New Mexico Association would like to express its gratitude to Freeport-McMoRan, the company that acquired Phelps Dodge, for recognizing the importance of the Dawson Cemetery and acknowledging the rich history and heritage of Northern New Mexico. In particular, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Harry Milton (Red) Conger, president and chief operating officer of Freeport-McMoRan. Red has a long and deep connection to Dawson from his days as a mining engineer and mine manager for Phelps Dodge. The Dawson New Mexico Association also extends its gratitude to Pietro Scarafiotti for his original idea and beginning the process to request, and ultimately secure, this grant. Pietro made several presentations to Colfax County and State of New Mexico government officials and the public to make them aware of this valuable historic site and the need for action to prevent further deterioration and complete destruction due to natural and environmental forces. Further thanks to Bruno Ridolfi, who became involved in this effort a few months ago and assisted in preparing the grant proposal and facilitating the funding process with Red Conger, Freeport McMoRan, and The Raton Museum. Last but certainly not least, many thanks to Joe Bacca, his family, and the Dawson New Mexico Association for directing and coordinating the construction and maintenance work that was needed to save the Dawson Cemetery. Thanks to the grant and the efforts of everyone involved, descendants of the residents, miners, and employees of Dawson, New Mexico will be able to visit their ancestors' gravesites at Dawson Cemetery for many years to come. This grant and the hard and dedicated work that have resulted in these much-needed improvements are a clear demonstration of the respect and admiration we hold in our hearts for those who lived, worked, and gave their lives during the time when Dawson was a booming coal mining community.
A special group photo was taken of all those who attended the 2016 reunion who lived or were born in Dawson, NM. If you took a photo of this group at the reunion which shows everyone, please send a copy to Joe Bacca at baccaj2000@msn.com .
Joe Bacca and his daughter have scanned over 800 old Dawson photographs taken over the years and place them on a CD. The photo CD is available for a $10 purchase by contacting Joe at his e-mail which is baccaj2000@msn.com . The proceeds from the sales of the CD will be used to offset expenses incurred in sponsoring the Dawson Reunion every two years. We were also pleased to hear that over 200 folks visted the Raton Museum and toured the Dawson exhibits. If you have any questions about future Dawson reunions, you may contact any member of the Dawson Reunion committee who is listed below: |
The Dawson Reunion held on Labor Day weekend, September 3-4, 2022, was a total success! For 2023, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) conducted a Dawson Cemetery memorial paying special respects to the Dawson miners who lost their lives in the 1913 and 1923 mining explosions.
