Spanish ranchers were the earliest settlers in the area around Corona, raising sheep and cattle on the open rangelands. In the 1850's, a stage line from Las Vegas to White Oaks and Fort Stanton carried passengers, mail and army supplies from Fort Union to Fort Stanton, with stops including Pinos Wells, Red Cloud Post Office, and Greathouse Tavern. Mining began as early as 1881 in the Red Cloud area of the Gallinas mountains, but it was unprofitable because ore had to be hauled by wagon to smelters in Soccoro and El Paso. Rail lines through Corona made increased ore production possible, and at the peak of mining about 300 people were employed. Corona was established as a railroad town in 1903 when the El Paso and South Western Railroad was built from Carrizozo to Santa Rosa to connect with the Rock Island Line. The railroad brought homesteaders and farmers and helped Corona grow as a trade center, allowing farmers and ranchers to ship products to market. In the 1950's, natural gas transmission lines were laid through the area, company housing was built, and about thirty families were employed. The school, recognized as one of the best in the state, has long been the focal point of the community, and its district covers parts of three counties across 2061 square miles. Though the stage lines are gone, the mines are closed, farming is minimal, the depot has been moved, trains no longer stop, and the gas lines have been automated, Corona remains the area's trade center, the school remains its heart, and the community has returned to ranching.