Friends of Rockhound State Park

Karl W. Laumbach Lecture

The Friends of Rockhound State Park, Inc., a public benefit non profit 501 c 3 organization, was formed in 2003 to promote, preserve, and protect Rockhound State Park and Spring Canyon.

The members known as “Friends” have accomplished many goals in this short time. They have sponsored a salute to spring they call Desert Alive!, two annual native plant sales (900 plants call Luna County home from these sales), an Easter Egg Hunt (with sponsorship of First New Mexico Bank), Stars in Parks program, Hummingbird Festival, Music in the Park, Festival of Lights with over 1,000 luminarias during the Christmas holiday, and other educational programs.

At the last regular meeting, which is the last Wednesday of each month, Karl W Laumbach was the speaker. In cooperation with the New Mexico Historical Society, the Friends were able to bring Karl to Deming. Special invitations had been extended to the Deming Historical Society and the Columbus Historical Society.

Karl had to “work without a net” to overcome the daylight and skylights of our meeting home aka the garage. Jesus Jimenez, Park superintendent, came to our aid by covering the skylights with blankets! That accomplished Karl was able to proceed with his slides. An author of two books, Karl has spent 26 years studying and researching the Hembrillo battle, Warm Springs Apaches and the true story of what happened. With technology recently made available he was able to determine the exact locations of the participants of this memorable battle.

This battle involved the Apache, the last to surrender. The Buffalo Soldiers also played a role in the battle at Hembrillo. It was a period of struggle for the rights of man. One could compare it to our own struggle with England. The Apache’s wanted to live as they had always lived-free to move around. History has shared with us the story of Geronimo, Cochise, and Victorio. Karl was able to weave a story based on archeological facts and personal study. Karl was able to create in each person attending the program, a personal feel for what the Indians faced as well as what was going on in the minds of the soldiers, leaders as well as regular soldiers. This may not be the best hours of our nations history-fluctuating from how to handle the “problem” to embracing the skills and abilities of these truly native Americans. Decisions where made on both sides, good and bad.

Karl was able to share his research and feelings that made all of us think and feel about the history of the struggle between Indian and white man.

While the battle he described was not here, the Florida’s were home to much Warm Spring Apache and Buffalo Soldier activity.

Future programs will reflect this information. Much research is continuing in our Luna County home. Please feel free to join the Friends in the exploration of all that Luna County has to offer-now and in the future.

MaryKay Brady, Secretary/Treasurer Friends of Rockhound State Park

Webmaster: Lynn Eubank

Last Updated: 04/12/2010