The Rich & Tumultuous History of Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a city of rich history, cultures and experiences. Much of it’s violent past plays a role in the town it is today. Santa Fe draws from its original roots in Native Tribes, its decades under Spanish rule, its years as a Mexican territory, and finally it’s induction to the United States, first as a territory and then a state. It is the traditions of all of these cultures that come together to make Santa Fe what it is today.

Originally, much of the land of New Mexico was home to a variety of what are known today as Pueblo Indian Tribes. The primary Pueblo tribe, the Tewa, occupied the land that is now Santa Fe. The Tewa and other tribes recognized the natural beauty and treasures of the land and lived there for 600 years before the Spanish conquistador, Don Francisco Vasques de Coronado, claimed the area for Spain. Coronado claimed the land that is now known as “ New Mexico” calling it the “ Kingdom of New Mexico”. The original capital of this new Spanish territory was established about 25 miles north of Santa Fe by Don Juan de Onate. His predecessor, Don Pedro de Peralta was appointed Governor-General in 1609, and moved the capital to the land which is now Santa Fe. For years, Spanish officials and Franciscan missionaries attempted to conquer and convert the local Pueblo Indians of that region until finally the tribes revolted. The Pueblo attacked the city of Santa Fe, driving the Spanish out and burning most of the city’s dwellings sparing only the Palace of the Governors. The Pueblos occupied Santa Fe until Don Diego de Vargas re-conquered the region in 1692.

In the years that followed, Santa Fe grew into a bustling city. Indian attacks still occurred with relative frequency, however many of the surrounding Pueblo tribes maintained peaceful relations with the local leaders and residents.

In 1821 Mexico established its independence from Spain and claimed New Mexico as its own province. Santa Fe then became the capital of New Mexico. The area began drawing trappers and traders to the region, and Santa Fe underwent yet another significant period of growth and development. It was during this time that William Becknell opened the 1,000-mile-long Santa Fe Trail, which extended from Arrow Rock, Missouri through Santa Fe. This trail not only brought goods and services into Santa Fe but it brought Santa Fe out of its rugged image and made the city much more appealing for visitors and residents. There was a brief period of civil unrest when local North New Mexico farmers revolted against the ruling Mexican authorities and overthrew the government and briefly occupied Santa Fe. Within 3 years however, the Mexican authorities had regained control over Santa Fe and restored peace to the city.

During the Mexican American war from 1846 to 1912, American Army General Stephen Watts Kearny gained control over Santa Fe, claiming it for the United States. Within 2 years Mexico signed over the land that is now New Mexico and California, to the United States in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. However, the region’s turbulent times where not over. The American Civil war brought still more unrest to Santa Fe. General Henry Sibley briefly flew the confederate flag over the city of Santa Fe until he was defeated by Union troops in March of 1863.

The arrival of the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe Railroad lines in 1880 along with the creation of the telegraph in 1868 brought an unprecedented economic boom to Santa Fe. However such rapid wealth and growth brought much government corruption. So much so the US President Rutherford B. Hayes designated Lew Wallace to “clean up New Mexico”. As the new territorial governor, Wallace did exactly as the President requested, running the corrupt from Santa Fe and restoring respectability to the local government.

After years of unrest, New Mexico became a state in 1912. To this day Santa Fe is home to the oldest public building in America, The Palace of the Governors and the oldest capital city in the United States. It is also the home of America’s oldest community celebration, The Santa Fe Fiesta, which began in 1712 to commemorate the Spanish’s re-conquest of the city in 1692.