1800 David Meriwether (1800-1892) was the third governor of New Mexico Territory, serving from 1853 to 1857 and also served as Superintendent of Indian Affairs for New Mexico. He had a colorful early career as a would-be trader in Spanish-colonial New Mexico which no doubt figured in his 1853…
When driving around New Mexico in the fall, perhaps one of the most welcome sights is the big roasters spinning green chile. New Mexicans relish the smoky chile scent in the air and look forward to their enchiladas smothered in red or green chile. Moreover, many New Mexicans and…
By Miguél A. Torrez The years following the 1846 Mexican-American War brought New Mexicans adversity through the loss of land and political exploitation by Anglo Americans. Many struggled to adapt to American ways. For others, it proved extremely challenging. The descendants of Nicolas de Espinosa were a Nuevomexicano family…
By Linda Aldrich In 1942, when the WWII Manhattan Project took over the Los Alamos Ranch School and adjoining ranches and homesteads on the Pajarito Plateau, the Corps of Engineers was responsible for setting up and operating the town of Los Alamos and the Project facilities. The University of…
By Lee Priestley Shall I begin by my lack of qualification as a historian? I am only a writer in pursuit of a story. There are two ways of going about historical research. There is the correct way. A careful collection of facts, sources duly noted, each item…
Judge A.A. Freeman; Law and Justice in New Mexico Judge A. A. Freeman. From a triptych of past presidents of the New Mexico Bar whichs hangs in the Bar Center in Albuquerque. Reproduction prohibited without express permission from the New Mexico Bar Association.
By Mark Thompson As the comprehensive bibliography in the Rio Grande Historical Collection of the New Mexico State University Archives shows, the 19th Century Shalam religious colony near Doña Ana is the subject of many fascinating stories. Less often told, perhaps, is the story of litigation involving the…
by J. J. Bowden The Pueblo of Acoma is one of the most unusual and colorful of the Queres pueblos, and is believed to be the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the United States. It is perched atop the 357 foot mesa called Acuco and located about sixty miles…
Rancho los Nogales de Elias grant; J.J. Bowden's research on land grants By J. J. Bowden Francisco Gonzales obtained a grant covering nine sitios of land known as Rancho de Casita in 1742. As Gonzales prospered and his herds increased, so did his need for additional grazing land. Therefore,…
Mt. Chalchihuitl; Turquoise Mining in North America Mt. Chalchihuitl is the largest known prehistoric turquoise mine in North America, with turquoise artifacts found from the site dating from around 1000 AD. Native miners excavated thousands of tons of waste rock at Mt. Chalchihuitl before Spanish invasion in the 16th…
