ABOUT US

The story of Smokey Bear Restaurant is deeply woven into the spirit and history of Capitan, New Mexico — the birthplace of America’s beloved forest fire prevention symbol, Smokey Bear.

Not far from our doors is Smokey Bear Museum Gift Shop and Smokey Bear Museum, where visitors can explore a treasure trove of memorabilia, photos, and stories chronicling the life of Smokey Bear, who first captured the nation’s heart after being rescued as a cub from a wildfire in the nearby mountains in 1950.

Just a short stroll away is Smokey Bear Historical Park, the resting place and tribute to this enduring icon whose message — Only You Can Prevent Wildfires — continues to educate and inspire.

And right next door to the restaurant, you’ll find the classic Smokey Bear Motel and RV Park, a nostalgic stop for travelers exploring our small town’s big stories and scenic wonders. Together, these landmarks create a one-of-a-kind experience that celebrates local heritage, family-owned hospitality, and the enduring legacy of Smokey Bear.

Visit villageofcapitan.org for more information.

The Birthplace of Smokey Bear

Smokey Bear, the living symbol of fire prevention for 25 years, was rescued as a small cub from a 17,000 acre forest fire in 1950 in the Capitan Mountains in Lincoln County, New Mexico. Smokey Bear became the most famous animal in the nation during his years at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

Following Smokey Bear's death November 9, 1976, the remains were brought back to Capitan where the life of this most famous of all animals had started 25 years prior. Memorial services were held November 17 at Smokey Bear Historical State Park in Capitan, within sight of the Capitan Mountain.

It was District Warden, L.W. (Speed) Simmons and the crew of Fort Bliss fire fighters who found and rescued the five pound cub bear with singed seat and burned feet in the Capitan Gap fire area. It was Mrs. Ross Flatley, a local rancher's wife who took care of him overnight.

Then it was Ray L. Bell, the game department's Chief of Law Enforcement, who flew Smokey Bear to Santa Fe in the game department airplane. It was Bell and Elliott S. Barker, former State Game Warden, who arranged to hospitalize the tiny, starving cub in Smith's veterinary hospital. It was Ray and Ruth Bell and their seven-year-old daughter, Judy, who patiently nursed him back to health after he was released from the hospital.

Smokey Bear began as a symbol in 1945 in the Federal State Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention Campaign. Elliott Barker offered Smokey to the chief of the Smokey Bear Campaign in Washington to be placed in the National Zoo as the living symbol of wildfire prevention. On June 27, 1950, Smokey Bear left Santa Fe headed for fame, and in a way, fortune. Likeness of Smokey appeared as dolls and on dozens of items. The Government collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in royalties from manufac-turers. This money was used to support the National Prevention program.

Mail from children throughout the world became so heavy that Smokey Bear was assigned his own Zip Code. More than four million people annually visited Smokey at the National Zoo.

Starting with a tract of land donated by Hollis Cummins in the center of Capitan, using funds raised by Capitan Women's Club and other organizations, logs from the Forest Service, volunteer work spearheaded by Capitan mayor and business establishments, a log museum was completed in 1960 as a memorial to Smokey Bear. This museum has become a part of the Smokey Bear Historical State Park you see in Capitan today. This ground is now held by New Mexico forever, for all generations to know and understand why the traditions that Smokey Bear is a legend and legends really never pass away.

The State Park is a perpetual reminder to us all to preserve and protect those natural resources that Smokey is dedicated to. The central theme of the park is that Smokey is not dead. That Smokey will never die, because an idea can't die. And, more than anything else, Smokey Bear is a legend and legends never really pass away.

Capitan was founded in 1900 as a shopping center and service hub in the heart of Lincoln County. Today, it still expresses the warm hospitality of early days, but invites you to enjoy modern accomodations at the Smokey Bear Motel, taste appetizing meals at the Smokey Bear Restaurant, visit the park and get your information at the museum.

Capitan Village has fine churches and schools, a city park, a Chamber of Commerce, Lion's, Women's Club, Volunteer Fire Department and many community activities. Fort Stanton, colorful and historic state hospital is five miles to the east. Historic Old Lincoln Town is just beyond Fort Stanton on U.S. 380 going east.

Areas to visit and explore around Capitan include the rugged Capitan Mountains and Pine Lodge, majestic Sierra blanca Mountain, Valley of Fires State Park, White Oaks Ghost Town, Bonito Lake, Alto and Nogal Lakes, Old Lincoln Town, Ruidoso Downs Race Track, Hondo Apple Blossom Festival, Smokey Bear Stampede on July 4th weekend, Nogal Mesa Cowboy Camp Meeting, Billy the Kid Pageant, and Lincoln County Fair.

You can ski, swim, bowl, ride, picnic, camp, fish, hunt, play golf, or join rifle shooting matches, all nearby.

Let's be friends. Only one thing we ask—Please heed Smokey Bear's warning, "Be careful with fire". Don't stay away too long. We'll miss you.

Written by Dorothy Guck