From Traders to Traitors

Exuding power, his clothing a testimony to wealth, he strolled across the sun-drenched plaza with the confident gait of one born to the manor, …

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Rewriting Albuquerque's Old Town History

I recently was browsing through some history notes made by historian Emma Moya when I came across this. It appears the claims that the High Noon …

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Historical Photographs of Old Town Albuquerque

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 …

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Historical Photos of New 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 …

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The Ghost Town of Valverde

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 …

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The mystery of Victoriana Armijo

A rather sociable ghost has also been reported throughout various locations in the La Placita Restaurant. Many believe that it is Ambrosia’s …

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Lola Montez, The Spider Woman

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 …

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The Red Light District in Old Town Albuquerque in the 1880s

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 …

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Grave robbing due to ghosts?

Here is a rather interesting article that I found in the Albuquerque Journal (14 February, 1939). Santa Barbara cemetery has several ghost stories …

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The Red Light District in Old Town Albuquerque in the 1880s (Madam Rumalda Griego's Brothel)

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 …

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The rising grave of Padre Padilla at Isleta Pueblo

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…

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1940s Film Reel of New Mexico

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…

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The Civil War in New Mexico (The battle of Peralta)

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 …

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This bizarre and long forgotten mystery in Taos is still unsolved

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 …

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Grave robbers desecrate and loot Fort Craig, N.M., cemetery (Bob was right)

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 …

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Riot at Roosevelt Park - 50 Year Anniversary

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 …

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The History of Los Luceros, NM

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…

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HISTORY OF THE ALEXANDER GRZELACHOWSKI HOUSE AND STORE

Constructed in the mid 1870s, the building served as a residence, general store, post office, and warehouse. Grzelachowski may have been influenced …

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La Posada, Santa Fe, NM (History)

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. …

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The battle of Valverde, a soldier's account of the battle.

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…

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Foster’s Hotel, Chama, NM (History)

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 …

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Foster's Hotel, Chama, NM (Building Details)

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 …

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Quarai Mission (History and Description)

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 …

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Grigg's House, History

In 1850, the Mesilla Civil Colony Land Grant was established by the Mexican government to give settlers in Mesilla land ownership. The grant was …

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The history of Fort Craig, NM

From a sandy terrace above the west bank of the Rio Grande, about 35 miles south of Socorro, the scrub desert stretches out for miles to the distant…

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The story of Governor Bent's massacre as told by his daughter Teresina Bent Scheurich

He was killed on January 19, 1847, at about six in the morning. We were in bed when the Mexicans and Indians came to the house, breaking the doors. …

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Loma Parda, NM (History)

In 1850, Lieutenant Colonel E. V. Sumner looked at the U.S. troops stationed in Santa Fe, and the temptations offered to soldiers there. He …

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Luna Mansion, Los Lunas, NM (History)

The home of members of the politically powerful Luna family, the Tranquilino Luna House was constructed in the early 1880's. This house is probably …

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Plaza Hotel, Las Vegas, NM (History)

In 1882, a local merchant named Don Begnino Romero and Jean Pendaries raised $25,000 to build the Plaza Hotel which was soon dubbed the "Belle of …

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