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 … Continue reading Timeline to Statehood