History

HISTORY

WELCOME TO THE CITY THAT NEVER LOST ITS WAY

Formally founded in 1610 by Spanish conquistador Don Pedro de Peralta, Santa Fe (Spanish for holy faith) is the oldest state capital in the US.

For the next 70 years, Spanish inhabitants and Franciscan missionaries subjugated and converted the Pueblo Indians, an Indigenous population of 100,000 people with nine distinct languages. In 1680, the peoples of 46 Pueblos joined forces in revolt, driving the Spanish colonists back to what is now the country of Mexico. Much of the city was burned in the uprising, and yet, the Palace of the Governors remained.

Just 12 years later, appointed Governor of New Mexico, Don Diego de Vargas, reconquered the region and grew the city, establishing a lasting Spanish presence. Battered by raids and revolts from the surrounding Indigenous nations and intent on maintaining its empire in Santa Fe, the Spanish pursued a policy of religious tolerance and coexistence with the Pueblo peoples.

In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain and continued to retain control of Santa Fe until 1846, when, during the Mexican-American war, the United States government conquered the city and claimed the entire state. Two years later, New Mexico became a territory of the United States through the Treaty of Hidalgo Guadalupe, and in 1912, it achieved statehood.

DID YOU KNOW?

The first road established by Europeans in the now United States—El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro—follows portions of Interstate 25 today. “The Royal Highway” allowed for trade and cultural exchange between Mexico City and The City Different.

DABBLE IN SOME HISTORY You need not be a history buff to love these opportunities to get to know Santa Fe better.

Though its history has been punctuated by conflict and bloodshed, Santa Fe has come to embrace and passionately celebrate its disparate cultural roots, one reason it today flourishes as The City Different. (To learn more reasons, see page 10.)

Palace of the Governors on the Historic Plaza At 412 years old, this one-story adobe edifice in SpanishPueblo Revival style continues to have an illustrious life. The oldest building in the continental United States, erected for the colonial government, is now home to the New Mexico History Museum. A contemplative peruse through the Native American Artisans Portal Program is a must. Do not resist the desire to take an authentic piece home (nmhistorymuseum.org).

Historic Plaza

Built on the site of a Pueblo ruin, the Plaza was Santa Fe’s nexus, hosting everything from revolts and conquests to a bustling venue for local commerce and trading. Today, it is a National Historic Landmark where the city hosts many celebrations, including the holiday tree lighting ceremony, live music, Indigenous dancing performances, Fiestas, and a city-wide annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast.

DID YOU KNOW?

Santa Fe is really just a nickname—our big name is La Villa Real de la Santa Fé de San Francisco de Asís or The Royal Town of the Holy Faith of Saint Francis of Assisi. But you can just call us by our nickname.

109 East Palace

In 1943, Los Alamos laboratory director J. Robert Oppenheimer rented this Spanish hacienda to house the administrative hub of the Manhattan Project under an assumed name. Today, you’ll have to look hard to find the plaque identifying its former notoriety, but it’s worth a hunt to reflect on what a difference several decades make. This top-secret location for welcoming and transferring scientists, engineers, and their families up to Los Alamos laboratory is now quite a public, vibrant place.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

Franciscan friars built the first church on this site at the time of the city’s founding in 1610. It was rebuilt in 1714, after the Pueblo Revolt, and named in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Santa Fe. A few structural changes since, one somewhat original structure remains—a small adobe chapel dedicated to Our Lady La Conquistadora, featuring a statue of the oldest representation of the Virgin Mary in the United States, brought from Spain in 1625. Open weekdays, and always shining bright for selfies out front (cbsfa.org).

La Fonda on the Plaza

Since 1607, several hotels have graced the current site of the La Fonda (Spanish for the inn), in its auspicious spot on the El Camino Real, but not until the early 1922 did it exhibit its relative current look in the Pueblo-Revivalist style under the influence of John Gaw Meem and Mary Elizabeth Jane Coulter. In 1925, when the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway leased the property to the hospitality magnate Fred Harvey Company, the hotel grew in popularity. Today, it remains a wildly popular destination for visitors and locals alike. Make sure you amble through to enjoy the interior details and consider a drink on the roof at the Bell Tower (lafondasantafe.com).

Santa Fe Railyard

In 1880, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway pulled its first train into the Santa Fe depot, and a steady era of economic and social change ensued until just after World War II with the advent of the interstate highway system and airlines. Today, it is a hub again with the New Mexico Rail Runner Express trains to and from Albuquerque and Sky Railway hosting passengers on speciality trips to Lamy and back. While you can visit the original depot and the historic Gross Kelly Warehouse for a taste of the past, the visionary revitalization and transformation of the area will also move you. Enjoy a great meal, a movie, some art, or shop at the neighboring Farmers' Market. In the summer, live music rocks the Railyard (railyardsantafe.com).

San Miguel Chapel (the Oldest Church)

History holds that the adobe structure in a location called Barrio de Analco (Spanish for neighborhood on the other side of the river) was originally constructed in the early 1600s by Spanish-allied Tlaxcalan Indians from Mexico under the direction of Franciscan Padres. The present building dates from 1710, and over the years, the Oldest Church has hosted many congregations. Support of ongoing preservation efforts mean the completely adobe structure could last many more lifetimes (sanmiguelchapel.org).