| The story of Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid) begins over one hundred years ago, when the demand for coal in the
New Mexico area increased with the growth of mills, smelters and the railroad. Individual mines were enlarged and soon afterward
the mining, processing, and transporting of coal was consolidated at the present site of Madrid. The area is very unique in
that it is one of only a few places in the world where both anthracite (hard) coal and bituminous (soft) coal are found side
by side. Being a primary source of both types of coal, Madrid continued to grow and supply this needed commodity. |
 |
|
 |
During it's heyday, from the turn of the century through World War II, and under the direction of the superintendent
and later owner,Oscar Huber, Madrid became one of the most unique and well known "Company Towns" in the United States.
In the early 1920's the Madrid Employees Club was formed and construction on the Oscar Huber Ballpark was started. In 1928
the grandstand with it's unusual tin roof design was added. The Madrid Miners were New Mexico's only class AA Minor League
team and their reputation for winning pennants became widespread. The Madrid ballpark was also the first in the state to have
an electric scoreboard and field lights for night games. |
|
| In Addition to baseball the Madrid Employees Club was involved in the annual Easter Egg hunt, grand Fourth
of July celebrations, and the most widely known event, the celebration of "Christmas in Madrid". At it's height
this gala event, covering the entire valley, used over one hundred and fifty thousand lights and would host over one hundred
thousand visitors. The ballpark was made over into a wondrous toy land (said to have inspired Walt Disney to create his own
"Toy Land") complete with a miniature train that all the children rode on. Airliners would divert their flight paths
to see the glow of the town during this celebration |
 |
|
 |
As the use of natural gas, electricity, and diesel fuel became
more common the demand for coal declined and in 1954 commercial production in
Madrid came to a halt. From that point until the early 1970's Madrid was a virtual
ghost town. In 1975 when the Huber family began selling the lots and houses in
Madrid, the Madrid Landowners Association was formed and the family generously
deeded over the ballpark and several other parcels of land to the association.
|
|
| Through dues, donations and rental of the ballpark for summer Blues
Concerts, the association has tried to maintain what it could as the years and other factors took their toll on the buildings
and outfield.The Madrid Cultural Projects is dedicated to the renovation and restoration of the Oscar Huber Ballpark. |
 |
|