Historic Restoration of Round Barn at Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs is Awarded Two Honors

    The restoration of Ojo Caliente Mineral Spring's Round Adobe Barn is being recognized by two state organizations for the preservation of this one-of-a-kind structure. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs and general contractor, Blue Sky Builders, are recipients of a 2003 Heritage Preservation Award from New Mexico's Department of Cultural Affairs Historic Preservation Division. These annual awards are given to individuals, organizations and projects that the Committee wishes to recognize for their contribution to the preservation interpretation, appreciation and/or understanding of New Mexico's cultural heritage. The award was presented Friday, May 8, 2003.
    In the 2003 "Best Buildings" Contest, jointly sponsored by the New Mexico Building Branch, Associated General Contractors and the New Mexico Business Journal, the Ojo Caliente Round Barn won a Renovation Award.
The goal of the project was to restore the structure utilizing materials and traditional finishes of the original building. State of New Mexico preservation guidelines were followed.
Built in 1924, the Round Barn at Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs was intended as a diary barn with the dairy products supplying the hotel dining room. Resembling the round Shaker barns of the 1800s and one of the few round barns in the country, it may well be the only one built of mud plastered adobe. The Round Barn is listed on New Mexico's Register of Historic Places.
    After years of serious disrepair, the owners of Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs knew they were in jeopardy of losing the entire structure. Consultations with the historic preservation groups Barn Again!, and Cornerstones were initiated. The New Mexico Historic Commission approved all plans and drawings and construction began in
March 2002.
    John Young, of Blue Sky Builders in Espanola, NM, managed the construction project and is one of the award recipients. He feels an emotional tie to the Round Barn. He came to Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs over 20 years ago, discovered the barn and returned with his camera to document the site. "It is a wonderful opportunity to be associated with the project," comments Young. "Even in a state of disrepair the barn fascinated me. All over the country, barns have become a rare and unusual sight, but this one takes the cake."
    Today, the barn reflects the rich history of the land surrounding Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs. Locals from the small town of Ojo Caliente relay their association to the barn in tales about jumping into haystacks and horseback riding. The Scott family, who now own Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs believe they are one in a long line of caretakers of the land and the buildings. "It would be a travesty should this barn collapse on our watch," says Thad Avery, son-in-law to owner Sherman Scott. "We couldn't stand by and watch it cave in." Future uses that are being considered for the Round Barn are yoga, clay, storytelling and creativity workshops, meetings, even an intimate performance venue.
    Considered a sacred spot by the ancestors of present day Pueblo Indians, Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs is one of the oldest health resorts in North America and the only natural hot springs in the world with the remarkable combination of five bubbling mineral pools. Facilities include seven mineral pools, an all-natural spa, hotel and cottage lodging, group lodging, conference center, The Artesian Restaurant, gift shop and hiking trails. The Round Barn is located immediately north of the hotel.






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