NMPedia

Followers of Dr. John B. Newbrough and the OAHSPE Bible that he published in 1882; the movement was also known as the Church of Tae. A group of Faithists followed Newbrough into New Mexico Territory in 1884 to found the Shalam Colony, a utopian community near Las Cruces designed to follow Newbrough's teachings and raise a generation of "sinless leaders". The Colony was abandoned by 1907. Faithists believed in self-sufficiency and the need to avoid the corrupting influence of the larger world.

Natural feature in the Chaco Culture National Historical Park famous as the site of the Sun Dagger, a noted archaeoastronomy petroglyph that marks equinoxes and solstices. The Butte has ruins of habitation and the remains of a long earthen ramp, a prodigious construction that suggests the Butte site was very important to the Chacoan people.

March 15-18, 1950 event where "fully half of the town's population" witnessed "hundreds" of UFOs over the town. The term armada is taken from a newspaper headline of March 18 1950; the news story quotes witnesses as reporting silvery discs (with reports of a single larger red object, seemingly a leader) massed in the air over Farmington, typically appearing in the hour before noon and sometimes seeming to be in formation. Various explanations have been suggested for the events, including birds and cotton fluff. Many witnesses maintained that they had seen craft that exhibited very unusual flight characteristics.

Christmas Eve tradition practiced across New Mexico, wherein candles are placed in paper bags (weighted with sand) and used to outline walkways, buildings, roofs, streets, and loved ones' graves. The tradition is that the lights lead the Christ Child to one's home. Streets, neighborhoods, and business districts may work together to present contiguous displays, and such areas are popular with visitors on Christmas Eve. Electric strands and plastic enclosures are sometimes used in place of the candles and paper bags, on large buildings and sometimes homes, but flickering warm candlelight is a noted feature of the traditional displays. There is an ongoing "controversy" over nomenclature: generally speaking, northern New Mexicans prefer the term farolitos, "little lanterns", for the sack lights, whereas southern New Mexicans usually reserve that term for the small bonfires that sometimes line seasonal processions and prefer the term luminaria.

See John Paul Stapp

See Hiram Hadley

Natural geothermal springs, north of Deming and near City of Rocks, operated as a resort. Visited as a spa as early as 1860. There are several different soaking pools, public and private, clothed or clothing-optional. Tent camping, RV sites, and cabins are available.
Faywood Hot Springs Resort website
State Historian materials on Faywood Hot Springs

(1881-1955) Nicolai Ivanovich Fechin. Russian-born artist who settled in the Taos area in 1927 seeking a better environment for dealing with his tuberculosis. He lived there until 1933, producing many landscapes and portraits, especially of Native Americans; while he rarely socialized with other Taos artists, he is considered to be a strong influence on the "Taos School" and the Taos Art Colony. His house today is used as the Taos Art Museum, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. His daughter Eya Fechin founded the Fechin Institute in 1981.
Taos Art Museum / Fechin House website

Taos home of artist Nicolai Fechin, now operated as the Taos Art Museum and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Fechin House website

Founded by Eya Fechin in 1981 to honor her father Nicolai Fechin, making the Fechin House available to the public. After Eya's death in 2002 the home was sold, and now operates as the Taos Art Museum.
Taos Art Museum website

See La Alianza Federal de Mercedes

Part of the Works Progress Administration to help the nation recover during the Great Depression; supported writers and served to record local histories and folk stories. Federal funding ran 1936-1939, with some states continuing to support the Project until 1943. In New Mexico, many Hispanic folktales and local legends were recorded. Noted titles resulting from these writings: Outlaws & Desperados and Stories from Hispano New Mexico and Lost Treasures & Old Mines.

(1832-1909) Prussian-born Jew who came to New Mexico in 1858. With a great facility for languages, he served as both legal and commercial clerk, including as a clerk for the Territorial Legislative Assembly. One of the founding members of the Historical Society of New Mexico. Twice helped raise volunteer infantry to help protect the Santa Fe Trail; served as a captain in the First Regiment of New Mexico Volunteers and was in the Battle of Valverde.

(1888-1964) Beloved Albuquerque author, storyteller, and historian. Works include: Albuquerque and Dancing Gods and Mexican Cookbook and Murder & Mystery in New Mexico and Our Southwest and New Mexico: a Pageant of Three Peoples. Sister to Harvey Fergusson Jr. The Erna Fergusson Branch of the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library System is named in her honor.

(1848-1915) Delegate from the Territory of New Mexico and a U.S. Representative from New Mexico. Father to authors Harvey Fergusson Jr. and Erna Fergusson.

(1890-1971) Albuquerque memoirist of Home In the West & historical novelist of Blood of the Conquerors, The Conquest of Don Pedro, Grant of Kingdom, Rio Grande, & Wolf Song. Brother to Erna Fergusson, son of politician Harvey Butler Fergusson

A land law introduced by territorial delegate Harvey B. Fergusson in February 1898. The Act directed that land would be set aside for educational and other public institutions, such grants usually only being conferred upon statehood. It also imposed restrictions on purchase of land, to prevent individuals and corporations from acquiring large holdings. After much discussion and some alteration, the act was made law on June 21 1898.

(1867-1927) Produced more than two dozen films in New Mexico for the Lubin Moving Picture Company, first in Silver City and then Las Vegas, starting in 1913. At one time the most popular film star in America, he often wrote, directed, and starred in the productions. During his time in Las Vegas took over the Plaza Hotel, renaming it the "Hotel Romaine". Filmed The Golden God, an ambitious vision of war in the 1950s, employing thousands of locals as extras and bringing in the first airplane to be flown over Las Vegas. The film was unfortunately destroyed in an explosion and fire at his production offices.

See Santa Fe Fiesta

(1922-2015) Longtime public school teacher in Albuquerque who also taught science statewide via a show on KNME-TV; it is estimated that "Dr. George" taught science to one quarter of New Mexicans. Went on to serve for three years as a very popular weatherman on an Albuquerque station; he proved so popular that a competing station sent tapes of his weathercast to stations nationwide, hoping he might get hired out of the Albuquerque market. He moved to an ongoing career as weathercaster for KABC Los Angeles. Biography (with Randy Roach): Dr George: My Life In Weather.

See Ham

See Frank Kindel

(1900-1987) Col. Elijah Edwin Fogelson. Oilman, rancher, cattle breeder, philanthropist. Owned several ranches in the Southwest, including the Forked Lightning Ranch along the Pecos River in New Mexico. In 1949 married actress Greer Garson. The Fogelsons supported the arts in New Mexico, Texas, and California, including establishing the Greer Carson Theater and the E.E. Fogelson Library at the College of Santa Fe and funding scholarships there. Part of the Forked Lightning Ranch was later donated to become part of the Pecos National Historic Park, and the Greer Garson Theater is now part of the Garson Studio complex used for film productions.

In Colfax County along Wild Horse Arroyo near Folsom; considered one of the most important archaeological sites in North America. On the National Register of Historic Places; a National Historic Landmark and New Mexico State Monument (inactive). First identified in 1908 when cowboy George McJunkin noticed bones and worked stones sticking out of the bank of an arroyo after a flood. Scientific interest was sparked in 1925; subsequent excavations suggested the hunting of bison which had been extinct for approx. 10,000 years, more than doubling previous estimates for a human presence in North America. Other Folsom sites have been identified across central North America; the distinctively worked "Folsom Point" is an indication of the Paleo-Indian culture. Folsom culture is now believed to have existed 9000-8000 BCE, coming after the earlier Clovis Culture.

Adopted February 1906, allowing citizens in New Mexico and Arizona territories to vote on the issue of their territories being separately considered for statehood. The areas had previously been considered jointly due to the small number of voters in either.

Famous for killing Jesse James. Operated saloons in Las Vegas and Cerrillos in the 1880s.

Grew up in Santa Fe, attending St. Michael's High School and Santa Fe Preparatory School. Noted fashion designer, working with Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent before launching his own brand. Filmmaker, writing and directing A Single Man (2009) and Nocturnal Animals (2016).

Near Santa Fe, along the Pecos River. Site of a trading post in 1858, later purchased by entrepeneur Tex Austin who hired architect John Gaw Meem to design Pueblo Revival buildings. A rodeo promoter, Austin operated the site as a dude ranch; noted guests include Will Rogers and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lindbergh. Purchased in 1941 by rancher and arts enthusiast "Buddy" Fogelson, who lived part of the time at the ranch with his wife, actress Greer Garson. In addition to being a working ranch and cattle breeding center, Forked Lightning hosted notables including Art Linkletter, Merle Oberon, Vincent Minnelli, David O. Selznick, Winthrop Rockefeller, and Georgia O'Keeffe. With Fogelson's death in 1987 the ranch was divided up, with some of the lands going to the Conservation Fund and eventually becoming part of Pecos National Historic Park. The park offers occasional tours of the Ranch House and Kozlowski's Trading Post.

Established in 1866, often garrisoned by Buffalo Soldiers. In 1900 turned over to the Surgeon General's office as a tuberculosis research center; after 1919 administered by the U.S. Public Health Service as a tuberculosis hospital. In 1922 became part of the Veterans Bureau. Partially reactivated as a military facility during WWII; German prisoners of war held there 1943-45. Maintained by the New Mexico Dept. of Health as a long term care facility and chemical dependency treatment center. The Fort Bayard Historic District, established in 2001, encompasses the hospital, remaining military buildings, and the Fort Bayard National Cemetery. The Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society celebrates Fort Bayard Days in September, with tours and historical reenactments.
State Historian webpage on Fort Bayard

One of two National Cemeteries in New Mexico, the other one located at Santa Fe. "Open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable." Made part of the National Cemetery system in 1973, receiving a donation of additional land from the state of New Mexico in the 1990s. Administered by the U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs; on the National Register of Historic Places.
Fort Bayard National Cemetery website

Small town in east central New Mexico. The military fort was active 1863-1868, formed to support internment of Navajo and Mescalero Apache populations. Upon closure, the Fort and its buildings were sold to land baron Lucien Maxwell, who remodeled some of the officer's quarters into a home and made it his new base of operations; a town arose around these buildings. Famous as the location where Billy the Kid was killed, and he is buried in the cemetery there. Home of the Billy the Kid Museum which draws worldwide tourism, and the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility.

From 1851 to 1891, served as the headquarters of the forts along the Santa Fe Trail, located at the point where the Santa Fe Trail split into the Mountain Branch and the Cimarron Cutoff, and was the major dispensing point for military supplies in the area as well as providing a rest stop for travelers and protection against Indian raids. As the largest U.S. military post in the Southwest, Fort Union was an important deterrent to Confederate action during the Civil War; the Army of New Mexico was marching toward the Fort when turned back at Glorieta Pass. The Buffalo Soldiers were stationed there 1876-1881. With the arrival of the railroad in 1880, traffic on the Santa Fe Trail rapidly declined and the Fort was abandoned in 1891.
Fort Union National Monument website

On East Hwy 70 near Ruidoso Downs and Glencoe. Natural cave, famously reputed to have been used as a hideout for outlaws including Billy the Kid. In 1951 the front of the cave was sealed across with a distinctive rock facade, and thereafter operated as a roadside attraction drawing attention from travelers around the country. Previously called Ice Cave, the name was changed as being similar to the last name of George Fuchs who leased the property in 1954. After falling into disrepair, the property was purchased in 2010 and renovated. Fox Cave is now operating as a roadside attraction again, offering for sale minerals, fossils, curios, and "gem mining".
Fox Cave website

(1838-1896) Albert Jennings Fountain. Newspaperman, adventurer, lawyer. Served as an officer of volunteer cavalry and held various military offices before being elected state Senator from Texas, where he later served as President of the Senate and brigadier general of the state guards. Returned to New Mexico in 1875 where he participated in the first campaign against Victorio; organized and served as major of the 1st Battalion of N.M. Cavalry. Later served as colonel of the 1st N.M. Cavalry, and took part in the campaign against Geronimo. In 1889, member and speaker of the NM House of Representatives. Became special counsel to the New Mexico Stock Association, aiding in the suppression of cattle rustlers. Fountain and his son were famously assassinated, likely by cattle rustlers, near Las Cruces in 1896. The crime was never solved.
State Historian webpage on Albert J. Fountain

Held annually in November, with talks and events in Santa Fe and Las Vegas New Mexico to examine the legacy of the Fred Harvey Company in New Mexico. Organized by and benefiting the New Mexico History Museum.

Honor bestowed upon people outside of the tribe who have proven to be especially sympathetic to the Navajo People. Honorees include Tony Hillerman and Gallup area newspaperman John K. Zollinger.

Motto of Alamogordo. The city is nicknamed "Rocket City" due to its proximity to Holloman Air Force Base and the White Sands Missile Range.

See New Mexico Mounted Police.

Trappers seeking furs, especially those of beaver for which there was strong market in the East, began entering New Mexico in the 1820s. The region, having recently come under Mexican rule, was more amenable to allowing Americans in than had been the Spanish regime, but trappers still had to get a license and pay taxes on their take. To get around this, some trappers applied for "trading licenses" and hid / smuggled their take. Despite a Mexican formal protest to the American government, this mix of legal and illegal trapping continued until the market for furs began to wane in the 1850s. (And also because, due to the efforts of the trappers, numbers of beaver had been greatly reduced.) Noted fur trappers include Hugh Glenn, Jacob Fowler, Sylvester Pattie and his son James Ohio Pattie, and Ceran St. Vrain.

See Fur trade.