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Sunday, April 10 Coachlight Inn & RV-Park Las Cruces, New Mexico -------- $13. 30 with PPA Gravel interior streets and pads N32° 17.514' W106° 48.401'. La Mesilla or Old Mesilla, New Mexico near Las Cruces
And finally we pass historic Old Mesilla where Billy the Kid was tried and sentenced to hang in 1881. Many of Old Mesilla's buildings date to the mid-1800's. In 1854, the Gadsden Purchase, signed in the Plaza, officially made Mesilla a part of the United States. The Butterfield Overland Mail and Stage Coach Company had their regional headquarters here in Old Mesilla. They operated in the late 1850's. Mesilla was a place of respite for travelers along the trail between San Antonio and San Diego. We got the Saturn serviced this morning then spent the afternoon in Old Mesilla. This small town has been a part of much American history. It was settled by Europeans (Spanish) in the late 1500's when the Spanish colonized Albuquerque, Santa Fe and the Taos area of what is now New Mexico. Colonies grew up along the entire length (over 2,000-miles) of the El Camino Real that stretched from Taos, New Mexico in the north to Mexico City in the south. The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that ended the Mexican American War was signed in the city square (plaza) here in Mesilla in 1848. That treaty made the formerly Mexican city of Mesilla the new American City of Mesilla. Can you imagine being a Mexican living in Mesilla when the Mexicans signed that treaty? They would either become American citizens or leave their homes, farms and businesses and move to Mexico. Some moved some became Americans.
Courthouse in La Mesilla, New Mexico where Billy the Kidd was tried
At one time Mesilla was the Capitol of the Arizona and New Mexico Territories. During that time--around 1880 Billy the Kidd was tried in the Courthouse located on the SE corner of the plaza and sentenced to hang. The building in that picture was the Capitol of the Arizona/New Mexico Territories before they became states. It also served as the Territory Courthouse. And this old adobe building is still there only as a gift shop today.
Old building in La Mesilla, New Mexico
Some of the buildings around the square were constructed in the 1850's. The first brick building in New Mexico is on the southwest corner of the town square. It was constructed by a man of French descent in 1860 using bricks fired in his own kiln.
Old office of the Butterfield Overland Mail & Stage Coach line in La Mesilla, New Mexico
Also occupying a part of the SE corner of the plaza is the equally old stage coach office, hotel, restaurant and livery stable that serviced the Butterfield Overland Mail & Stage Coach line as well as the Pony Express. That old hotel housed such personalities as Billy the Kid, Kit Carson, General Douglas McArthur and Poncho Villa.
San Albino Church in La Mesilla, New Mexico
The plaza and connecting streets frame San Albino Church, built in 1908 (Catholic of course). It is one of New Mexico's most beautiful churches. San Albino is the heart of community life, now as in the past. The Butterfield Overland Mail & Stage Coach Line and Pony Express that operated from St. Louis, Missouri to San Francisco had to come through both El Paso and Mesilla especially during winter months when snow blocked northern passes. Until next time remember how good life is. More New Mexico AdventuresAdventures by State ** More 2005 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
We would love to hear from you......just put "info" in the place of "FAKE" in this address: FAKE@travellogs.us Until next time remember how good life is.
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