The focal point of community life since it was founded in 1706 by Governor Francisco Cuervo y Valdez. Centered around the plaza, Albuquerque’s Old Town encompasses about ten blocks of historic adobe buildings. On the north side of the plaza is the San Felipe de Neri Church, the oldest building in the city, which was … Read moreHistorical Photographs of Old Town Albuquerque
Corner of Central Ave. and 1st St. in Albuquerque, N.M., in 1927. This picture shows a car involved in a minor collision with one of the last street car runs in Albuquerque. Street cars, or trolleys, were discontinued on December 31st, 1927, and were replaced by busses. The auto in the accident is thought to … Read moreHistorical Photos of New Albuquerque
Although most people associated Valverde with the battlefield of the same name, it was also a town that once existed fifteen miles south of San Antonio, New Mexico. What makes it so interesting is that there is so little written about it. The spot where the town is located was once a crossing point on … Read moreThe Ghost Town of Valverde
A rather sociable ghost has also been reported throughout various locations in the La Placita Restaurant. Many believe that it is Ambrosia’s daughter Victoriana. Victoriana was born in 1849 and died the 6th of October 1867 at the tender age of 18. She was married to Jose Ynez Perea and it is speculated that she … Read moreThe mystery of Victoriana Armijo
The first time I heard of Lola Montez was from a song by the Danish rock band Volbeat. The song was released as the third single from the band’s fifth studio album Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies. The song is about the famous dancer and Countess of Landsfeld, Eliza Rosanna Gilbert, with the lyrics referencing … Read moreLola Montez, The Spider Woman
Several years ago I wrote a book called Wicked Albuquerque that covers the controversial past of the Duke City. In today’s blog, I am sharing some of the research that I did on the red light district in Old Town. Back in the roaring 80s, it was wilder than Tombstone or Dodge City. Click on … Read moreThe Red Light District in Old Town Albuquerque in the 1880s
Here is a rather interesting article that I found in the Albuquerque Journal (14 February, 1939). Santa Barbara cemetery has several ghost stories attached to it and I am always interested on how these stories began and evolved over time. While I can only speculate, this may be the origin of some of those tales. … Read moreGrave robbing due to ghosts?
A famous bordello in Old Town was owned by a woman called Rumalda Griego. It was a simple three room building that had up to 3 beds per room. Often the ladies entertain their customers simultaneously in the same room. Madam Rumalda was hauled into court on numerous occasions, most often on charges of being … Read moreThe Red Light District in Old Town Albuquerque in the 1880s (Madam Rumalda Griego’s Brothel)
The old church at Isleta Pueblo houses the remains of Fray Juan Jose de Padilla, a Laguna Pueblo missionary who was stabbed to death by unidentified assailants in the mid-1700s and whose coffin is also believed to have burst from his burial, his corpse looking as fresh as the day he died. The mission church … Read moreThe rising grave of Padre Padilla at Isleta Pueblo
I found an old film reel in the National Achieves about a tour of New Mexico, its cities, historical sites and tourist attractions that was produced in the 1940’s. It is rather fascinating to see how it has changed over the years, the urban expansion and how its history was told back then.
The battle scene between Union and Confederate forces occurs in the famed Clint Eastwood western, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. The battle is intended to personify the Battle of Peralta and the New Mexico Campaign in general, though obviously exaggerated. Though no specific year or date is stated in this movie, at least part … Read moreThe Civil War in New Mexico (The battle of Peralta)
Taos is mainly known for its art community, the Pueblo, skiing, and stunning scenery. But once, an evil man lived in Taos. He went by the name of Arthur Rocheford Manby. Manby had read in British newspapers about rich resources and opportunities in the untamed Territory of New Mexico. But, once he arrived there, he … Read moreThis bizarre and long forgotten mystery in Taos is still unsolved
In 2001, my team went to Fort Craig to investigate several paranormal claims that had been reported by the caretakers of the historic site. After hearing their accounts, my co-investigator, Bob, remarked that the described phenomenon was typical of a graveyard that had been desecrated. He was told that it was simply not possible, because … Read moreGrave robbers desecrate and loot Fort Craig, N.M., cemetery (Bob was right)
Today is the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Albuquerque riot. I find it interesting how some things never change. Here is the article from the New York times on that day describing what happened. Albuquerque had its first big riot this week. It started Sunday in a city park where hundreds of almost naked hippies … Read moreRiot at Roosevelt Park – 50 Year Anniversary
In 1598, Juan de Oñate and a group of settlers traveled up El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro until they reached the confluence of El Rio del Norte and el Rio de Chama. The expedition brought their own supplies for long-term settlement. They intended to establish a permanent colony in northern New Spain, and they … Read moreThe History of Los Luceros, NM
Constructed in the mid 1870s, the building served as a residence, general store, post office, and warehouse. Grzelachowski may have been influenced in his choice of style by his familiarity with Fort Union, an important precedent for the post Civil War, New Mexico Territorial style. The domestic section was occupied by Grzelachowski, his common-law wife … Read moreHISTORY OF THE ALEXANDER GRZELACHOWSKI HOUSE AND STORE
Abraham Staab was fifteen years old when he came to the United States from Germany. He arrived in Norfolk, Virginia, where he worked for two years. In 1856, he and his brother Zadoc took a job in Santa Fe with the Spiegelberg Brothers. There they honed their skills in the wholesale trading business. By 1858 … Read moreLa Posada, Santa Fe, NM (History)
The long-expected engagement in New Mexico came off at Valverde, on the east bank of the Rio Grande, four miles above Fort Craig on Friday, February 21. The battle commenced at eight o’clock in the morning and lasted until sunset. The action was commenced by a portion of Col. Baylor’s regiment, 200 strong, under the … Read moreThe battle of Valverde, a soldier’s account of the battle.
In the early 1800s, the town of Chama was not only exciting but downright dangerous. As the youngest of the Tierra Amarilla Land Grant’s historic villages, Chama was established at a time in New Mexico’s history when much of northwestern New Mexico was without adequate law enforcement.’ Outlaws and other disreputable types, along with businessmen … Read moreFoster’s Hotel, Chama, NM (History)
The Foster Hotel is an assembly of the original circa 1881 frame building plus two later major additions constructed of frame and adobe. All three sections have moderately pitched corrugated metal roofs and are all in the Northern New Mexico vernacular style. The overall structural condition of the Hotel is good to fair. The condition … Read moreFoster’s Hotel, Chama, NM (Building Details)
Like Abó and Las Humanas, red-walled Quarai was a thriving pueblo when Oñate first approached it in 1598 to “accept” its oath of allegiance to Spain. Three of Quarai’s Spanish priests were head of the New Mexico Inquisition during the 1600s, including Fray Estevan de Perea, Custodian of the Franciscan order in the Salinas Jurisdiction … Read moreQuarai Mission (History and Description)
In 1850, the Mesilla Civil Colony Land Grant was established by the Mexican government to give settlers in Mesilla land ownership. The grant was later honored by the United States Government. The Civil Colony Land Grant was established to govern the entire town and to distribute the common lands. Father Ramon Ortiz was the Commissioner … Read moreGrigg’s House, History