Many mining towns died waiting for railroads and several railroads altered their route to accommodate mines but Chance City, also known as Victorio, was lucky: when ore was discovered in the Victorio Mountains in the 1880s the new Southern Pacific main line was only four miles away.

That was the community's principal good fortune, however, for only a modest half million dollars in gold, silver, copper, lead and zink was extracted from the mines in the area including the Last Chance Mine, which was owned by Randolph Hearst.

The mining efforts there continued until the 1930s but the post office closed a year after in had opened in 1886.

Today there are only a few foundations, scattered debris and many open shafts and tunnels left (be very careful while walking around). But we liked the place anyway because it is very lonely and forgotten.