New Mexico’s Statehood: 100 Years of Enchantment
“Chili Line” Train, Denver and Rio Grande Railroad
1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
1850: State Constitution drafted and passed by voters – nullified by compromise bill of 1850
July 9, 1850: Death of Zachary Taylor
1853: Gadsden Purchase
1863: New Mexico Territory split into New Mexico and Arizona
1872: Proposed constitution defeated at polls
1876: Statehood Bill defeated in Congress – Elkins, Burrows handshake a true story?
1889: Proposed constitution defeated at polls
1902: Knox Bill – proposed omnibus statehood bill for New Mexico, Arizona and Oklahoma
1904: Joint Statehood with Arizona Proposed
1906: NM voters in favor of jointure, Arizona against
20 June, 1910: Enabling Act signed by President Taft
October 3 – November 21, 1910: Constitutional Convention to draft state constituion
January 21, 1911: Constitution approved by New Mexico voters
January 6, 1912: President Taft signed statehood proclamation
January 15, 1912: William C. McDonald inaugurated as first governor of New Mexico
Photo:The Denver Rio Grande “Chili Line” Railroad.” Courtesy of the State Records Center & Archives, Department of Tourism Collection, Image #2451. Reproducing prohibited without express permission from the State Records Center & Archives.