1951
9/21/51 Ruidoso’s first street markers were installed in what was described as an “impressive ceremony.” The Ruidoso Business and Professional Women’s Club had started the drive to install 500 markers for streets, homes and businesses. Ida Bloodworth, president of the organization, said that they had so far collected funds for 100 markers. The first marker was installed at the corner of Main St. (now Sudderth Drive) and the newly-named Mechem Drive, with the assistance of mayor pro-tem Dan D. Swearingen, state representative L.S. Drake, the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club.
1976
9/13/76 An unsecured beer truck parked at the Ruidoso Downs Race Track rolled into a ravine. Someone announced “free beer” on the track’s P.A. system, and police officers rushed to secure the cargo until the vehicle could be towed away.
9/20/76 In the feature “What’s Your Opinion?” the question “Do you think an animal control team and shelter are necessary for the Ruidoso/Ruidoso Downs area?” was put to a selection of local dogs. The dogs were unanimously against the idea. One canine summed it up nicely: “By having no dog pound, we can do as we please. My pals and I can carry germs and fleas, get sick or injured and nobody is going to lock us up. Besides, I hear you people don’t want to spend money to hire anyone or build a shelter so we’re not worried about it.”
2001
Construction began on Kidz Konnection, a 14,000 sq-ft playground designed with the help of local children, near the corner of Hull Rd. and White Mountain Dr. More than 150 volunteers built the playground with donated materials and borrowed tools. Churches and civic groups fed the volunteers. The work continued in spite of torrential rains and the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City.
9/5/01 Sixty-six stores were sold or closed when the supermarket chain Furr’s declared bankruptcy. Lawrence Bros. IGA, of Sweetwater, Tex., was the new owner of the store in the Sierra Mall.
9/5/01 One hundred new bear-proof dumpsters were installed in the village. Mayor Robert Donaldson said that there was not a part of town that hadn’t seen bears searching for food.