Arabella / las tablas. In the late 1870's or early 1880's, three spanish families came from walsenburg, colo., and settled on ranches at the se end of the capitan mts. They called the settlement las tablas, probably with reference to timber used for building. In 1886, andy richardson moved to las tablas and opened a general store. When he as appointed postmaster in 1901, he changed the name to honor the daughter of one of the settlers. Postoffice, 1901 /1923.Arabella in guadalupe county on sp rr 7 mi sw of santa rosa is not to be confused with the arabella. Submitted by: Samuel W McWhorter

Hello, I was visiting your website on ghost towns of Lincoln county nm and found a reference to Arabela/Las Tablas.  In the write up, it indicates that the town of Las Tablas was changed to Arabela.  I live in the area and worked on the ranch where Las Tablas ruins are on, part of the historic Block Ranch.  I have been to the ruins many times and they are 20 or more miles from Arabela.  A little north and west of Arabela on the north side of the Capitan Mountain, on private property and if you didn't know where the settlement was, and only by using a metal detector, can the remains be found.  It is approx 3 miles from State Hwy 246.  This locations has been known for decades, passed on by old timers that worked on the ranch from the late 19th century up to the 30's and later.  Legend has it, this is where Billy the Kid got his shackels removed by a Mexican friend, after his final escape from Lincoln, NM

Respectfully,
Mike Allen

TMA