Happy 100th Birthday New Mexico!!!

 

On Friday January 6, 2012, my beloved Land of Enchantment is turning 100 years old!

January 6, 1912 is the date New Mexico became the 47th state in the United States, signed into statehood by President William Howard Taft.

But statehood didn’t come easy for New Mexico.

It took more than half a century for New Mexico to achieve statehood. The U.S. government established the Territory of New Mexico in 1850, two years after Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo at the end of the Mexican-American War.

The terms of the treaty required Mexico to cede its northern land holdings in what is now the American Southwest and California. In 1851, Santa Fe became the capital of this new territory, which sprawled across lands that eventually would become the states of Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.

Visit my previous posts of our visits to Santa Fe

Many people will be visiting the Palace of the Governor's in Santa Fe to celebrate this special day, because that building is the oldest continuously occupied public building in the U.S., is 400 years old and has some fascinating history.

My post from our visit to the Palace of the Governors last Christmas

The Palace of the Governors, built in 1610, originally served as Spain's seat of government.
When Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821, the Mexican government designated Santa Fe as the capital of the Mexican province of Nuevo Mexico, and the Palace continued to serve as the seat of government. In 1846, when the U.S. declared New Mexico an American territory, the Palace became New Mexico's first territorial capitol.

Link to a video showing a glimpse inside the Palace of the Governor's

And some people will be celebrating by visiting New Mexico’s State Capitol Building in Santa Fe, the only round Capitol Building in the United States.

It combines elements of New Mexico Territorial style, Pueblo adobe architecture and Greek Revival adaptations. The 232,000 square-foot Roundhouse was dedicated on Dec. 8, 1966. (The same year that I was born!)

From a bird's-eye view, the Roundhouse is fascinating! It resembles the Zia sun symbol, which is also emblazoned on the New Mexico state flag. The image, which originated at Zia Pueblo, incorporates elements representing the sun's rays, the four directions, the four seasons, and the four phases of life. For more info on our very special State Capitol Building, visit: New Mexico Capital Building

And it does truly makes sense to celebrate New Mexico’s 100 years of Statehood in Santa Fe, because, not only is Santa Fe the highest State Capitol in the U.S at 7,000 ft above sea level (yes even higher than Denver, which is only a measely 5,280 feet), Santa Fe is also the oldest capitol city in the entire United States!

But not everyone knows that Las Vegas, NM was New Mexico's first territorial capital (just for one day). Las Vegas was the largest city in New Mexico at the turn of the 20th century, and it was established long before its Nevada counterpart. Las Vegas, NM has 900 buildings in nine historic districts on the National Registry -- more than any city in the United States!

And I bet many people also don’t know that in some isolated villages in New Mexico , such as Truchas, Chimayo', and Coyote in the north-central part of the state, some descendants of Spanish conquistadors still speak a form of 16th century Spanish used nowhere else in the world today.

So, as you can imagine, there are many events planned for this weekend and throughout New Mexico’s entire Centennial Year. I have already started filling up my calendar with the events that I know my family and I will enjoy.

If you’re a New Mexican or have plans to visit New Mexico this year, check out: Official Site of the New Mexico Centennial 

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So, where am I going to be on Friday January 6th? And how am I going to be celebrating New Mexico’s 100th Birthday this weekend?

Well, on horseback, of course!!

(Me riding Etta Bay in the Manzano Mountains)

Yep, I’ll be outside in the warm sunshine, under the gorgeous blue skies of New Mexico, riding a lovely mare up to the top of the beautiful Indian Hills.

 

Once we arrive at the top, our group of about 40 riders and horses will join together to sing Happy Birthday to our beloved Land of Enchantment.

(Apache and I exploring the Carson National Forest)

And that’s not the end of the celebrations!

I’ll also be riding all day Saturday and Sunday, too. I’m so excited!

(Apache and I at the Founders Ranch ACTHA CTC last July)

If interested, you can read more about this event by clicking this link:

New Mexico Centennial Trail Ride

 

Now with this next part, you may think I’m mushy, but I just can’t help but feel sentimental about New Mexico.

First of all, as a Navy brat who has lived in a lot of different places and states across the country, and who was born in Texas, I can tell you that New Mexico is the only place I’ve ever felt that has welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like I belong. New Mexico is a melting pot of some very special and historically significant cultures, and everyone has a sense of pride, independence, freedom and individuality. Did you know that there are 19 Pueblo groups in New Mexico , speaking four distinct languages? The Pueblo people of the southwest have lived in the same location longer than any other culture in the nation. You don’t have to fit in here, you just have to be yourself. Not many places embrace that way of life.

(Me and Apache riding in the ACTHA Guinness Book of World Records Trail Ride in Estancia, NM)

Second of all, New Mexico is just drop dead gorgeous! It’s easy to feel like you’re on vacation all year round with so many visually stunning natural, historical, and cultural locations to visit. New Mexico has seven National Forests including the nation’s largest, 3.3 million acre Gila National Forest and includes the Gila Wilderness, which just so happens to be the first officially designated wilderness in the world! Though many people picture New Mexico as desert terrain, ¼ of the state is actually filled with forests.

(Apache and I riding on BLM land in the Sandia Mountains)

 

Third, New Mexico is not a cookie cutter state. There are things here that you will not see, smell, taste and hear in any other state or country. (Did you know that Hatch, New Mexico is known as the "Green Chile capital of the world"?) And once you leave, if you can even bear it, you will never get over your cravings and desires for these unique New Mexico attributes. Trust me on that one. My family had to move away for a few years due to hubby’s job and I missed my beloved home state something terrible! I can’t even begin to explain the sense of calm, relief, and joy that filled my heart and soul the day we arrived back home. By the way, did you know that Albuquerque hosts the world’s largest hot air balloon festival the first weekend in October? It’s a Must See!

Fourth, my twin sons are Native Born New Mexicans and were born here 15 years ago, next month.

And I saved the best for last……..this month my family is celebrating an anniversary, too! This month it has been 20 years since we moved to New Mexico to make her our home.

So, as you can see, we have much to celebrate here in New Mexico!