From the Philmont Trail Guide:

Baldy Town was the mill center for the Aztec Mine between 1868 and 1942. Once the population of Baldy Town numbered 200 people. You can still see the fireplace of the town's hotel. The school building has been reconstructed, and the walls of other buildings are still standing. On the rocky flat below Baldy Town lived the Spanish-American laborers in a settlement called Chihuahua.

Route for the day

From my journal of 1967:

Left Miranda with heavy packs because there was no food pickup until Pueblano. Had to carry 30 pounds of food among us. Headed to Copper Park. Came to Baldy Town for lunch - bought candy, saw film of mining in Baldy area in 1930's. Left Baldy Town right before Mr. Tobin's group came. "Abe" went to meet them & we hiked onward. Had a very steep & rough climb. Met a terrible hailstorm - very big "stones" - made trail slippery & hurt. Hail became rain as we came off hill. Stopped in a latrine at Copper Park for slow group to catch up. Rain stopped & we set up camp. Couldn't visit Aztec Mine because of hailstorm slowing us down. Decided to stay at Copper Park next day to climb Baldy. Very cold. Hurt leg putting up "bear bag".

Another day that I remember well. Once again Tom Gavin and I went on ahead of the others. It was a beautiful hike to Baldy Town, where we stopped at the ranger's cabin where there was a small store. I remember we bought lemon drops there, and that they were wonderful after several days on the trail.

Getting close to Baldy!

Bob Barker and Cory Morganstern take a break on the road towards Baldy.

Ruined mine and mill at Baldy Town

This is one of the bigger ruins in the area. There wasn't much left except piles of rocks and pieces of foundations - not much in the way of mine equipment. According to the rangers the structures were destroyed in a fire years ago. It was surprising, though, how little was left. As I later learned on a later visit to the area, many of the mines had their machinery removed for the metal drives of World War II, and that very well might have been the case here as well. 

Looking back towards Miranda from Baldy Town

Old General Store at Baldy Town

That's Steve Hempling from our expedition heading towards the store. I think he's a little late for any last minute bargains.

In my journal I mentioned a "bear bag". For those who haven't had the pleasure of camping with bears as neighbors, it's necessary to hang your food high in the air so the bears can't get at it. Each night we had to climb trees and string a rope between them, then hang the food from that rope. Today I understand that Philmont has simplified this and has permanent cables strung between trees for this purpose - ah, progress.