NMPedia

(1904-1972) Hollywood actor born in Carlsbad. Best known for the role of Jack Driscoll in King Kong (1933). Appeared in many Western films; known as one of "Wayne's Regulars" as he appeared in many John Wayne movies. Buried in Carlsbad.

Quote attributed to Lew Wallace, author of Ben-Hur and New Mexico Territorial Governor 1878-1881. Sometimes quoted with slight variations including "all" and "every" at the beginning, and occasionally "fail utterly".

James Silas Calhoun (1802-1852) First Territorial Governor of New Mexico, appointed by President Fillmore; died in Missouri while still technically serving in office. Served in the U.S. Army during the Mexican War, then as Indian Agent for New Mexico Territory, the first west of the Mississippi. Noted for encouraging Pueblo peoples to renounce their rights as provided by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and promoting slavery in the Territory, while trying to develop a free education system. Book: James Silas Calhoun : First Governor of New Mexico Territory and First Indian Agent by Sherry Robinson.

Camels arrived in New Mexico in 1857 as part of the U.S. Camel Corps experiment to test camels as beasts of burden in the American Southwest. The results were generally favorable, but the experiment was abandoned soon after the beginning of the Civil War. The remaining camels found many fates, including being sold to circuses and used for hauling in mining camps. Reports of encounters with camels gone feral persisted into the 20th century.

Initially 1500 men, later increased to 2350, Union volunteers, who marched from California to west Texas from April to August 1862, a distance of some 900 miles. The Column, under the command of Colonel (later Brigadier General) James Henry Carleton, was an effort to resist Confederate incursions into the Southwest during the Civil War. Harassed by Confederate forces who destroyed some of their provisions, and after engaging Apache forces under Cochise, the force was delayed enough that by the time the Column reached the Rio Grande the Confederate forces had already withdrawn.

AKA: El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, The Royal Road to the Interior Lands, The King's Road. 1200-mile artery between Mexico City and Santa Fe, in the Spanish Colonial period, including what is also called the Chihuahua Trail. Encompasses the Jornada del Muerto, a famed waterless stretch that was often traversed by night due to the harsh daytime conditions. Conquerors, colonists, travelers and trade goods moved along the Camino Real for 300 years; later railroads and roads often follow its route, including parts of the fabled Route 66. In New Mexico El Camino Real ran through Las Cruces, Socorro, Belen, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe to Ohkay Owingeh (formerly San Juan) Pueblo which was the first Spanish capital in the area. Added to the National Trails System in 2000, one of the eight Scenic Byways in New Mexico.

Formerly, El Camino Real International Heritage Center. One of New Mexico's State Historic Sites (formerly State Monuments), dedicated to information on the Camino Real route from Mexico City to Santa Fe. The Site is located approximately 30 miles south of Socorro.

See El Camino Real Historic Trail Site

AKA: Camp Brooks. See Camp Cody

AKA: Camp Brooks, Camp Brookes, Camp Deming. World War I Army camp northwest of Deming, active from 1916 to 1919. Established in 1914 during the U.S.-Mexican Border War as Camp Brookes, a joint National Guard / Army facility to counter possible aggressions from Pancho Villa. At the onset of WWI renamed as Camp Deming, then shortly thereafter as Camp Cody after "Buffalo Bill" Cody. The camp was used to train National Guard forces from around the country.

See Camp Cody

Site established in 1923 outside of Las Vegas for training of the New Mexico National Guard; the camp named in 1929 to honor Maximiliano Luna, captain of the Rough Riders who had died while serving in the Phillipines. Camp Luna served as a training ground for cavalry and artillery elements of the Guard until 1942, when in was leased by the U.S. War Department for training of the Army Air Corps Ferrying Command. Largely vacated after World War II. Members of the 111th Cavalry (which had trained annually at the camp and had been re-designated the 200th Coastal Artillery) saw combat in the Phillipines and were part of the Bataan Death March.

See Warm Springs Reservation

International Can-Am Highway, begun in the 1920s to connect Mexico to Canada through the United States. In New Mexico, the CanAm Highway follows US 85 and Interstate 25 along the south-north axis of the state, the same route as the Pan-American Highway (through Albuquerque, designated the Pan-American Freeway). On some online map services, I-25 appears as the CanAm (or Canam) Highway.

(1817-1873) Edward Richard Sprigg Canby. U.S. Army officer stationed in New Mexico Territory, who with the rank of colonel led the forces opposing Sibley's New Mexico Campaign to gain control of the West for the Confederacy in the Civil War. Canby's forces were defeated at the Battle of Valverde, but gained the upper hand after they managed to destroy Sibley's supply column near the Battle of Glorieta Pass, forcing the retreat of the Confederate forces.

The active component in chile peppers, lending them their chemical pungency. In chile, the capsaicin levels are highest near the top of the pod, and in the seeds and the material the seeds are attached to. Thus, stripping out the seed mass and filaments, the "placental mass", significantly reduces the heat of a chile pod. Besides its importance to regional cuisine, capsaicin is also used commercially in a variety of medical preparations and in self-defense products.

In northeastern New Mexico, southeast of Raton. Designated a National Monument in 1916. Symmetrical cinder cone which last erupted approximately 60,000 years ago, making it relatively young in New Mexico's volcanic record. The rim of the crater is about 1 mile in circumference, and the crater about 400 feet deep. At 8,182 feet above sea level, popular legend has it that someone standing at the top of the rim can see into 5 states: New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas; in the case of Kansas, this may be an exaggeration. There is a paved road to the top, and 5 hiking trails.

(1814-1873) Served in the Mexican-American War, then in California. Became (as a major) commander of the California Column, Union volunteers raised in California to resist Confederate incursions into New Mexico Territory. The Column marched the 900 miles through the Territory and into west Texas, but with delays including harassment by Confederate forces that destroyed their supplies and engagements with Apache forces, by the time it reached the Rio Grande the Confederates were in retreat.

See El Bimbo

Founded in 1937 in Hot Springs (now Truth or Consequences) as the Carrie Tingley Hospital for Crippled Children, for children with polio and tuberculosis, by Carrie Tingley and then-governor Clyde Tingley. The Hospital moved to Albuquerque in 1981 to become part of the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center as UNM Carrie Tingley Hospital. Supported by the Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation.

Started in 1963 to support the Carrie Tingley Hospital, "dedicated to enhancing the lives of special needs children and their families".

(1809-1896) Christopher Houston Carson. Frontiersman, trapper, army officer, "Indian Fighter". Guide on Fremont's second and third Expeditions. As a military officer, involved in the Battle of Valverde. Though a storied character of the Frontier West, he is controversial for his interactions with Native Americans; while seeming to favor some tribes, serving as Agent to the Ute and Jicarilla Apaches and marrying a Cheyenne woman, he was involved in ruthless pacification campaigns against other tribes, most notably the Kiowas, Mescalero Apache, and Navajos. Key agent in the destruction of Navajo resources and driving them from their lands. Inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 1959. Author of Kit Carson's Autobiography.

Housed in Casey's Restaurant, in operation since 1976 in Hobbs; "one of the largest Coca-Cola collections in the United States". The collection continues to grow as owner Paula Manis accepts donations of Coke-related items from customers.

AKA: Hotel Castaneda, Castaneda Hotel. Fred Harvey hotel in Las Vegas New Mexico; completed in 1898 in the Mission Revival style. The historic building was purchased in 2014, to be renovated and operated by the same people who restored the La Posada Hotel in Winslow Arizona, also originally a Harvey property. The Castaneda, closed since 1948, hosted many celebrities and events including the first reunion of Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders.

See St. Francis Cathedral

(1840-1921) Lawyer and politician. Settled near Las Cruces in 1866, became District Attorney and then Attorney General in 1869. Member of every New Mexico Territorial Council from 1884-1909; a powerful force for statehood, he became New Mexico's first Senator in 1912. Gained control of many land grants, especially the Tierra Amarilla grant, and at one point was New Mexico's largest private land holder and perhaps the largest private land holder in the United States. Often identified as being connected to the Santa Fe Ring; sometimes accused of being its leader. Close friends with Albert B. Fall, New Mexico's other Senator during the period and later Secretary of the Interior. Catron County named in his honor.

Mysterious deaths of cattle, especially in Northern New Mexico, most notably reported in the late 1970s. The "classic" deaths seem to involve removal of specific tissues. The losses to ranchers became severe enough that the deaths were investigated by local police, the New Mexico State Police, and later referred to the FBI (who could not pursue the investigation as it was out of their jurisdiction, except when on tribal lands). An April 1979 conference on the subject in Albuquerque was chaired by Sen. Harrison Schmitt. Theories as to cause include mistaken reports of natural deaths, UFOs, and cultists; no conclusions were reached as to the cause of the deaths, which some say are ongoing and remain controversial.

See Susan McSween

See Miner's Catwalk

See Miner's Catwalk

Nickname for the town of Carlsbad, due to its proximity to Carlsbad Caverns.

Along the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, off of State Road 14 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe and north of the town of Cerrillos. The Park, created in 2009, encompasses historic mining areas and offers hiking and equestrian trails.

Existed as a mining camp from the mid-1840s; formally founded on March 8, 1879. Noted as the site of turquoise mines which show evidence of having been worked since prehistoric times. The town has been used as a movie location for more than a dozen projects, including Outrageous Fortune (1987), Young Guns (1988), and John Carpenter's Vampires (1988).

See Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Center of the Chacoan culture in the Four Corners region, occupied AD 850 to 1250. The site, commonly referred to as Chaco Canyon, is home to numerous large structures and many kivas; some of the buildings are noted for having archaeoastronomical alignments. The Park features a visitor's center, observatory, and hiking and camping.

(1906-1993) AKA: Merina Lujan, Moon Flower. Raised at Taos Pueblo; became acquainted with members of the Taos Art Colony and began painting in her 30s. Became well known over the next several decades for her work which included murals in public buildings across the Southwest. Many awards, including the Governor's Arts Award in 1990 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southwest Association for Indian Arts.

Event held annually since 1963, usually in January, in Chama. Featured are Freestyle & Classic Style Races, a Snowshoe Race, and Combined Ski/Snowshoe Events. In town are a chile cook-off, live music, ski lessons, and family events including a snowman-building competition.

Mercantile retail and wholesale distribution company started by Charles Ilfeld in 1874 when he bought out his partner. His brothers soon joined him in the business, which was centered out of Las Vegas. With the coming of the railroads to facilitate shipping from the East, the company expanded with stores around New Mexico, and in the 1920s was the major wholesaler in northern New Mexico.

Born in Artesia, attended Artesia High School. Oil and natural gas businessman. Named the Richest Man in New Mexico by Forbes magazine.

(1851-1930) First superintendent of public education in New Mexico. In 1882, elected a member of the house of the Legislative Assembly and was chosen Speaker. Mayor of Santa Fe in 1901.

(1818?-1889) Officer with the New Mexico Militia during the Civil War, and a key player in the destruction of the Confederate's supply trains near the Battle of Glorieta Pass, which forced the Army of New Mexico to withdraw from the area.

(1890-1936) Born in Albuquerque, graduate of Albuquerque Business College. Her daughter Adelina was one of the first Hispanics to graduate from UNM. Nation's first female secretary of state; first Hispanic female to hold a high office. Served with distinction for two terms as NM Secretary of State, then became a state legislator. First elected woman to serve as acting governor.

AKA: Lola Chavez de Armijo, Dona Lola. (1858-1929) Appointed State Librarian in 1909 by then-Governor George Curry; when Governor W.C. McDonald took office in 1912 he tried to have her removed, claiming that under the state constitution women were not allowed to hold appointive offices. Dona Lola filed a gender discrimination lawsuit with the New Mexico Supreme Court; winning the suit, she kept her position until 1917. First Hispanic woman to hold a state political office in the U.S. Only woman buried in the National Cemetery in Santa Fe. The recipes in Erna Fergusson's Mexican Cookbook are largely attributed to Dona Lola.

San Felipe Pueblo, of Hopi, Tewa, and Navajo heritage. Doctorate in American studies from UNM. First Native American woman to serve as director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. Previously served as director of the Indian Arts Research Center at the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, and director of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque.

(1851-1924) Outlaw, member of the Lincoln County Regulators and friend to Billy the Kid. Took credit for the killing of Sheriff William Brady and many other killings. Legendarily had a shooting contest with Bob Ford, the killer of Jesse James. Like many outlaws of the period, was briefly employed as a lawman; became a member of Las Gorras Blancas and The Bandit's Society. Arrested and given the death sentence in 1894; the sentence was commuted to life and in 1909 Governor George Curry pardoned him after he helped the police during a jail riot. After his release, Chavez y Chavez did not resume his outlaw ways.

Alternate name of the northern stretch of El Camino Real. The Chihuahua Trail was the major connection between New Spain (part of which would become New Mexico) through the State of Chihuahua and into Mexico City. When the Santa Fe Trail came in from the north, the two joined into the major trade route for the Southwest that was utilized until the arrival of the railroads. The term "Chihuahua Trail" was more likely to be used by American traders, to distinguish that stretch from the Santa Fe Trail.

Renowned glass artist with installations in major institutions around the world; known for organic forms and very large sculptural chandeliers. In New Mexico Chihuly installations are on display at the Armand Hammer United World College near Las Vegas, and the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts in Alto near Ruidoso.

Nickname for the town of Hatch, due to its location in the center of a productive chile growing region. The town each year hosts the Hatch Chile Festival.

Purported to be the only "signature" cocktail in New Mexico. Created by Arturo Jaramillo, owner of the Rancho de Chimayo Restaurant. The cocktail combines golden tequila, apple cider, lemon juice, and creme de cassis, served with apple slices and with cinnamon and sugar on the rim of the goblet.

AKA: Revolt of 1837. Insurrection in northern New Mexico towns and some of the Pueblos against Albino Pérez, then Mexican governor. The insurrection was at first popular, with even some of the governor's men joining the rebels; some two dozen government officials were killed including Pérez, whose head was put on display in Santa Fe. The rebel government soon proved unable to control the area, and a counterrevolution regained control.

See Alamogordo Primate Facility, El Bimbo, Ham

(1923-1998) Long-term President of the Mescalero Apache Nation, who helped make the tribe economically self-sufficient. Attended the Santa Fe Indian School, then schooling in Iowa, Arizona and Michigan; a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church. At 28 elected Chairman of the tribe, then in 1965 became President when the tribe changed its constitution to allow that office. Re-elected 16 consecutive times, for a term in office of 43 years. Noted for challenging U.S. lapses concerning the tribe at the federal level, including lawsuits to assure the enforcement of treaties which had never been observed. Masterminded the taking over of resource contracts and the construction of the Inn of the Mountain Gods on reservation land, which created employment and income for the tribe; the Inn and its golf course provided the model for tribal projects around the country. Chino also developed one of the first casinos on tribal land, citing their right as a sovereign nation.

AKA: El Chino Mine, Santa Rita Copper Mine, Santa Rita el Cobre. Open-pit copper mine east of Silver City; for decades the largest such mine in the world, and a major employer in southwestern New Mexico. Earlier mined of native copper by Native Americans and later the Spanish (making it one of the oldest continually operated mine sites in North America), the open pit was commenced in 1909, steadily expanding until it eventually consumed the town of Santa Rita.

(1824-1884) Cattle baron who came to control a large area of land along the Pecos River south of Fort Sumner, with over 100,000 head of cattle. Formed a partnership with Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving to provide cattle to the U.S. Army. Player in the Lincoln County War. Inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 1958.

(1821-1894) Colonel of the United States Volunteers, involved in the Battle of Glorieta Pass where Chivington's forces are credited with forcing the retreat of the Confederate forces by destroying their supply train. Chivington was later in charge of the forces responsible for the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre.

Family event, held in late December at the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe since 1983. The annual event features food, music, craft-making activities, and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

During the 1930s, the coal-mining town of Madrid to the east between Albuquerque and Santa Fe was world-famous for its Christmas display. Sponsored by the mining company and powered by the company's generators, the valley featured huge lighted billboards, cutouts, and mobile displays; the ballpark was transformed into "Toy Land", with animated cutouts and 3D installations. "Christmas City" became so noted that special trains and tours were arranged to it during the holiday season, and airliners diverted over the town so passengers could see the display. Tradition has it that each year 100,000 light bulbs were used in the displays and 100,000 visitors came to see them, and that Walt Disney may have been inspired to build Disneyland after visiting Madrid during the Christmas season.

AKA: Capitol Holiday Tree, Capitol Christmas Tree. The Nation's Christmas Tree, destined to be erected in front of the White House, has three times originated from New Mexico. The 1956 tree came from the Lincoln National Forest near Alamogordo, the 1991 tree was a Blue Spruce from the Carson National Forest, and the 2005 tree was an Engelmann Spruce from the Santa Fe National Forest.

AKA: CST. California-based non-profit corporation which owns all rights to licensing the estate of L. Ron Hubbard; an autonomous branch of The Church of Scientology. Famous for preserving the writings of Hubbard as sacred texts, supposedly even engraving them on long-lasting metal plates and discs. CST has built archives around the world to store the texts; in New Mexico the so-called Trementina Base is one such archive, notably sporting the CST logo as a large land glyph.

See Faithism

AKA: Cimarron Cut-Off, Cimarron Trail, Cimarron Route, Cimarron Crossing, The Water Scrape. New route for the Santa Fe Trail blazed in 1822 by trader William Becknell. The Cutoff avoided the Raton Pass, but was largely a "dry" trail, with few water sources.

Village in Colfax County which grew due to its position on the Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail, and as the seat of power of Lucien Maxwell and then the Maxwell Land Grant Company. Cimarron became noted as a "wild" town, attracting not only outlaws such as Clay Allison and Black Jack Ketchum, but also celebrities such as Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok, some of whom stayed at the still-standing St. James Hotel. Located near the Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron receives seasonal influxes of visitors to the Ranch as well as tourists year-round. New Mexico author Agnes Morley Cleaveland wrote of Cimarron, and her childhood friend Fred Lambert's role in its history.

AKA: Cite Center, The City Lab. The Center for Innovation, Testing and Evaluation; "a fully integrated test, evaluation and certification facility dedicated to enabling and facilitating the commercialization of new and emerging technologies... modeled after a mid-sized modern American city, integrating real-world urban and suburban environments along with all the typical working infrastructure elements that make up today’s cities." $1 billion project in development between Deming and Las Cruces, a "sensor-based laboratory ecosystem" comprised of a small town without residents, the City Lab, which will act as a laboratory for testing city planning, infrastructure efficiency, and urban technologies such as driverless cars and delivery systems.

Nickname for Santa Fe.

Nickname for Las Cruces from its Spanish meaning, "the crosses". There is no definitive history for the name; one version has it as monuments to a massacre, while another regards it as simply a reference to a crossroads. Consensus holds that there were once three crosses prominently displayed just north of town.

Nickname for the city of Santa Rosa, due to its having a number of artesian lakes including the Blue Hole. Other nicknames include "Oasis on Route 66" and "The Scuba Capital of the Southwest".

Geological formation in southern New Mexico, formed by the erosion of a layer of material laid down in an ancient volcanic eruption. The site features hundreds of large rounded rock columns, distinctively emerging from the surrounding grasslands. Made a State Park in 1952; the Park offers picnicking and camping.

Motto of the city of Rio Rancho.

(1956-2001) Last person to be executed in New Mexico before the abolition of the NM death penalty in 2009, the first to be executed since 1960. Given the death penalty after he confessed to the rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl from Artesia. When this happened, Clark was free on bond pending an appeal of an earlier charge of kidnapping and rape. In 1988 NM enacted the "Dena Lynn Gore Law", named for the victim and designed to prevent convicted criminals from being free while they appeal cases.

(1874-1958) Best known for her book No Life For a Lady, wherein she speaks of her childhood growing up in northern New Mexico. Born and raised in Cimarron, she encountered many of the famous and infamous people who traveled through there. Her childhood friend was Fred Lambert, son of St. James Hotel operator Henry Lambert and later a member of the New Mexico Mounted Police. She details more about Fred Lambert and Cimarron in her book Satan's Paradise. Biography: Open Range : the life of Agnes Morley Cleaveland by Darlis A. Miller.

See Alamogordo and Sacramento Mountain Railway

Operating 1911-1935, built on land donated by the El Paso and Southwestern Railroad and funded by donors including the residents of the area. During that time treated around 500 patients, around a third of them from New Mexico. After 1935 variously used as a camp for underprivileged children, a Girl Scout facility, and as an adjunct to the Cloudcroft Lodge. Demolished in 1964.

AKA: Cloudcroft Octoberfest. Annual event since 1978, typically held the first weekend in October. The version of a traditional German Oktoberfest has expanded to include an arts festival; the event is designed to be the last tourist event before the snow season and the focus changes to skiing.

Event held annually since 1985, in September. Honors the music tradition in Clovis including Norman and Vi Petty, whose studio hosted many great musicians including Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison; the event has expanded to include local groups and celebrity musicians. Tours of the Norman Petty Studio are available during the Festival.

Paleo-Indian group that first appeared in North America approximately 13,000 years ago, after the last ice age. Named for the distinctive stone tools with fluted points found around Clovis in the 1930s. After being identified at the Blackwater Draw site between Portales and Clovis, other Clovis Culture sites have been found throughout many of the contiguous United States. The Clovis Culture was succeeded in New Mexico by the Folsom Culture.

Label given to music produced at the Norman Petty Recording Studios in Clovis during the 1950s; considered to be a distinctive precursor to the rock & roll of the 1960s. Artists such as the Fireballs, Buddy Knox, Roy Orbison, Sonny West, Chita Rivera, and Buddy Holly recorded at the Studios with Petty acting as sound engineer and general mentor; Petty also served as Holly's first manager.

(1860-1909) Photographer; came to Albuquerque with tuberculosis in 1889 and lived in the city for more than 20 years thereafter. Produced many now-historic photographs of the area.

See Raton Coalminer Sculpture

See Casey's Coca-Cola collection

United States program using speakers of obscure languages, usually Native Americans, for secure communications during wartime. During World War II a variety of tribal languages were used but the program is now most often associated with those speaking Navajo, a language very difficult to learn unless one grew up speaking it. Even when speaking in Navajo, the Code Talkers developed an ever-growing vocabulary of slang terms to confuse listeners. The Navajo Code Talkers are credited with enabling major military advances in World War II, especially in the Pacific Theater; the program continued through the Korean War. President Reagan proclaimed August 14 1982 as "Navajo Code Talkers Day"; the Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008 recognized every Native American Code Talker with a Congressional Gold Medal to his tribe and a silver medal to each Code Talker.

Coelophysis bauri. Named Official State Fossil in 1981. Triassic Period; small, ground-dwelling bipedal carnivores. Fossils only found in New Mexico, with hundred of examples unearthed at Ghost Ranch.

(1822-1911) AKA: King of Tularosa, Cattle King of Tularosa. Irish immigrant who in the mid-1870s purchased a ranch in the Tularosa Valley. He expanded his cattle ranching to include numerous properties around the town of Tularosa, resulting in his (self-styled) nickname "The King of Tularosa". Coghlan was rumored to deal heavily in rustled cattle, some of them purchased from Billy the Kid. Suspected in the deaths of a neighboring family, but this charge was never proven. Became very wealthy, most of which money was gone at the time of his death, partly due to lawsuits against him.

(1890-1960) Noted early African-American, Afro-Hispanic writer of the Harlem Literary Renaissance period. Born in Mexico, daughter of a Buffalo Soldier and a woman born into slavery. Raised on a ranch near Silver City New Mexico. Graduate of the New Mexico Teachers College, worked as a teacher before becoming a writer. Winner of awards including the Robert Browning Poetry Contest. Author of short stories, silent film scenarios, and a children's book, The Singing Bells; author of the novel Unfinished Masterpiece. Stories and essays published in national publications including Half-Century Magazine and The Crisis and The Pittsburgh Courier. Author of numerous poetry collections including Small Wisdom and Reason for Singing. Two collections of her writing were published in 2008. Subject of a New Mexico State Historic Marker at the Silver City Visitor Center.

Range violence after the breakup/sale of the Maxwell Land Grant in 1870, as different factions strove to control the huge land areas involved. The Colfax County War involved the new owners of the land, the Maxwell Land Grant Company, driving off "squatters", miners and settlers who had been tolerated under Lucien Maxwell's control of the land. Estimates suggest over 200 people died in the War, which lasted for two years. The Santa Fe Ring were involved in legal and financial actions that prompted the War.

AKA: Mary Jane Colter, Mary J. Colter. (1869-1958) Influential architect and designer associated with the Fred Harvey Company, for whom she completed over 20 projects. In Albuquerque, she decorated the Alvarado Hotel and designed the Indian Building there. She went on to design historic structures at the Grand Canyon, the El Navajo Hotel in Gallup, and her showplace work the La Posada Hotel in Winslow, Arizona.

Based out of Palestine Texas with a launch facility at Fort Sumner New Mexico. A NASA facility, managed by the Physical Science Lab of New Mexico State University, to develop and test technology for high-altitude and long-duration scientific ballooning. Although schedules of launches are available, sighting of the balloons (which at high altitude seem to move very slowly and are very bright) often generate UFO reports.

See Pancho Villa's raid on Columbus

Discovered July 23 1995; in 1997 was one of the most widely-observed comets of the 20th century. Reported independently by amateur astronomers Thomas Bopp and New Mexican Alan Hale, who had tracked many known comets.

After the rejection of a constitution to become a state, the Compromise Bill of 1850 established New Mexico Territory. Part of the Compromise involved the settling of disputes between "slave states" and those where slavery was not practiced, leaving the new Territory the option to put the issue of slavery to a public vote. The Compromise also forced Texas to relinquish its claims on New Mexico.

(1800-1866) Trader out of Santa Fe who acted as intermediary in the transfer of New Mexico from Spanish to American control. Elected to the Territorial Council in 1851; in 1861 named Governor by President Lincoln, served until 1866. Noted for support of slavery in the Territory, and harsh attitudes toward Native Americans.
State Historian webpage on Henry Connelly

AKA: Our Lady of Assumption, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of Peace, Nuestra Senora de la Paz. Small statue of the Virgin Mary, long enshrined in a side chapel of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe. Believed to be the oldest Madonna in the United States, carved perhaps as early as 1448, the statue has been in residence in Santa Fe since 1626. Renamed in 1992 by former archbishop Robert Sanchez as Nuestra Senora de la Paz, Our Lady of Peace, after indigenous peoples protested over the Santa Fe Fiesta (which celebrates the "Reconquista", a return to Spanish rule after the 1680 Pueblo Revolt) and the part of La Conquistadora, "The Conqueror", in those celebrations. The statue is carried in an annual procession to the Rosario Chapel where masses are held, then returned to the Basilica.

Formerly, Coronado State Monument. Ruins of the Pueblo of Kuaua on the west bank of the Rio Grande, just north of Bernalillo. Coronado's party wintered over 1539-40 in the area; without the help of the Pueblo people it is likely they would not have survived. Excavations at the Pueblo uncovered intact wall paintings in the square kiva; these paintings are now on display in the Visitors Center and have been recreated in the kiva.
Coronado Historic Site website

New Mexico unit of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAACs) during World War II. The Coronado Platoon eventually comprised 63 women recruited from 17 towns around New Mexico. The recruits were promised a swearing-in ceremony in Carlsbad Caverns.

See Coronado Historic Site

A New Mexico State Scenic Byway, running along NM 448 which is also designated as Corrales Rd. The Byway begins and ends at NM 528 which curves around the Village of Corrales, which is still known for its agriculture including orchards and vineyards. Points of interest include the San Ysidro Church and the Casa San Ysidro which is part of the Albuquerque Museum system.
New Mexico Dept. of Transportation material on the Corrales Road Scenic Byway

Cotton has been grown in New Mexico since 300 BCE; archaeological sites show that it was used both for fiber and as a food source (roasted seeds). Commercial production began around 1910, with region-specific strains developed beginning in the late 1920s. At one time large areas of southern New Mexico were devoted to cotton production, especially around Cotton City, but with the post-WWII drought production declined. NM still produces significant amounts of cotton annually; the 2014 yield for the state was worth over 3.6 million dollars.

AKA: Fremont Cottonwood, Alamo Cottonwood. Tall native tree, Populus fremontii, often encountered along riverbanks in New Mexico; "the oak of the Southwest". This large member of the poplar family is often found around springs and groundwater, thus many place names in New Mexico include "Alamo" (the Spanish name for the tree) -- Los Alamos, Alamogordo, etc. The tree blooms in late spring, setting adrift its namesake "cotton" seeds; in the fall the large leaves sometimes turn yellow-gold. The soft wood burns rapidly (and with a rank smell) so is not much used as firewood but is popular with woodcarvers, especially santeros. The Middle Rio Grande riparian forest, the bosque between Cochiti Dam and San Marcial, is the largest cottonwood forest in the Southwest and one of the largest in the world.

(1866-1936) Eanger Irving Couse. Painter; one of the "Taos Six", founders of the Taos Society of Artists. Noted for paintings of Native Americans and New Mexican themes. His house and studio in Taos have been preserved as the Couse/Sharp Historic Site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the New Mexico Register of Cultural Properties.

Home and studio of E. Irving Couse in Taos. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the New Mexico Register of Cultural Properties.

Annual event held in Las Vegas New Mexico from 1915 to 1967. The event attracted great interest, and attendees included Tom Mix (who was filming movies in the area), celebrities, and members of Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders, who had ties in the area. The event became a celebration of all things cowboy, with riding and shooting demonstrations, rodeos, and public music and dance. The event is being revived in Las Vegas for purposes of tourism, with a Centennial celebration planned for 2015.

Born in Cloudcroft, grew up in Portales. Graduate of Eastern New Mexico University. Noted actor with many credits in film and TV including Total Recall and Spencer. Touring musician, inducted into the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame in 2019

(1847-1917) John Wallace Crawford. Arrived in New Mexico in the 1880s, serving as a scout for the military. Served as post trader at Ft. Craig and as a special agent for the Indian Bureau. Took up ranching at San Marcial. Wrote several books, including The Poet Scout (1879), from which he took a stage name while appearing with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. Biography: Captain Jack Crawford : buckskin poet, scout, and showman by Darlis A. Miller.

In English, "The Dawn of Liberty". Early -- in many accounts, first -- New Mexico newspaper, published in Santa Fe as of 1834 on the first press in the area. The press was later purchased and moved to Taos.

Official New Mexico state motto, used on the state's seal in 1882 and officially adopted in 1887. Latin for "(It) Grows as It Goes".

Sometimes as "Davey". (1853?-1876) Descendant of "the" Davy Crockett (reports variously state he was nephew or grandson). Outlaw who frequented Cimarron after a failed career at cattle ranching in the area. Famously shot three buffalo soldiers, killing two, in the St. James Hotel for no other reason than one of them had been on the other side of a door Crockett was trying to open. Cleared from those crimes on the basis of drunkenness, Crockett was emboldened to begin terrorizing the town, a six-month spree that ended when he was killed by lawmen after refusing arrest.

See USS Santa Fe CL-60

(1615-1714) Governor of New Mexico from 1704-1707, and founder of Albuquerque in 1706. He named the new "Villa de Alburquerque" in honor of the then-Viceroy of the area whose titles included "The Duke of Alburquerque".

Official State Historic Railroad. Offers trips through northern New Mexico, May through October, over historic narrow gauge lines. Featured in numerous film productions.
Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad website

(1861-1947) Served in a variety of public offices in Lincoln County before being elected to the territorial council in 1894. Served in the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War; maintained a close connection with ex-commander Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt appointed Curry Governor of New Mexico in 1907 to replace Herbert J. Hagerman; served until 1910. U.S. Congressman from 1912-1913. Was the New Mexico State Historian at the time of his death. Curry County named in his honor.
State Historian webpage on George Curry

(1865-1904). AKA: Harvey Logan. Outlaw, noted for riding with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in the Wild Bunch and with Black Jack Ketchum. Curry was involved in several bank and train robberies in New Mexico.

AKA: Tenatsali. (1857-1900) Anthropologist and ethnologist who came to New Mexico in 1879 with the James Stevenson anthropological expedition. Lived at Zuni Pueblo from 1879-84, becoming the first "participant observer" in the Southwest. Adopted into the tribe, receiving the Zuni name Tenatsali; he eventually brought his wife and her sister to live at the Pueblo as well. In 1882 took some tribal elders on a tour of the East coast; in 1883 sought to draw media attention to land speculators threatening the Zuni lands. Author of a number of works including My Adventures in Zuñi.

(1888-1935) Came to New Mexico for his health in 1911; became publisher of the Santa Fe New Mexican and El Nuevo Mexicano. President of the Santa Fe New Mexican Publishing Corporation until his death. Senator from New Mexico 1927-1928; noted for encouraging involvement from Hispanic voters.