History The historic New Buffalo Commune was founded in June 1967, the "Summer of Love," when three young men from Pittsburgh who wanted to start a new life living off the land were given 105 acres by their friend, Rick Klein. Hearing of this in underground city newspapers, interested young people streamed to northern New Mexico. Instructed by elders of the Taos Pueblo in building, praying, and planting, they used native mud and wood from a nearby forest to construct a 5,000 square foot adobe main building and two smaller adobe buildings. Dedicated to raising their own food, they began growing corn, squash, and beans and raising chickens.

Life was not easy. Sadly, the next fall a fire destroyed much of the main building. But this group was unfazed and remained true to their aims of creating a community. In a ceremony of their own making, they ate the venison from a newly skinned deer which had been cooked to perfection and planned the rebuilding. Seizing the opportunity for positive change, they rebuilt the main building to fit their growing needs, creating separate rooms for families instead of a communal loft in the large sunken center room. The core of this original building still remains today, though the facilities have been greatly updated.

Over the next twelve years, the commune took in many hundreds of young people, most quickly moving on and others staying to contribute. Children were born and educated in the ways of the land. In a mostly non-cash economy, they developed a dairy and distributed cow and goat milk, butter, cheese, and eggs to Arroyo Seco, Arroyo Hondo, and Taos.

In 1979, a sad series of violent events effectively ended the commune, but the true spirit of the place remains.

There is much to read about New Buffalo history. The early years are beautifully recorded by Iris Keltz among a series of essays entitledScrapbook of a Taos Hippie. The 1971-79 years are ably narrated byArt Kopecky in two books from the University of New Mexico Press:New Buffalo and Leaving New Buffalo Commune. Many of the early years are captured beautifully on photographs by Lisa Law and can be seen in her book and DVD, Flashing on the Sixties. New Buffalo has its place in film, as well, for the commune scenes of the 1971 film classic Easy Rider were inspired by the place but filmed in Hollywood.

Though still imbued with the peace-loving spirit of the Sixties, New Buffalo has served many purposes over the years. In the 1980's John Kimmey and his group grew native corns, squashes, and grains to save seedstock. Then Susie and Mirabai Star established a quality alternative high school, Chamisa Mesa, which began its first years at Buffalo. For twelve years, ending in 2003, Rick and Terry Klein spruced up the main building and welcomed guests to the New Buffalo Bed and Breakfast, or what the New York Times called "The Far Out Inn.” For the last seven years retired physician, Bob Fies, has supervised preserving, restoring, and making sustainable the main building, planting hundreds of native trees and restoring the land. New Buffalo now heats with the sun and one fireplace, has solar grid-tied electricity, a fully functional shop, root cellar, and art studio.

History

The historic New Buffalo Commune was founded in June 1967, the "Summer of Love," when three young men from Pittsburgh who wanted to start a new life living off the land were given 105 acres by their friend, Rick Klein. Hearing of this in underground city newspapers, interested young people streamed to northern New Mexico. Instructed by elders of the Taos Pueblo in building, praying, and planting, they used native mud and wood from a nearby forest to construct a 5,000 square foot adobe main building and two smaller adobe buildings. Dedicated to raising their own food, they began growing corn, squash, and beans and raising chickens.

Photo by Lisa Law