Las Cruces

Constructed 1881. At the turn of the century, Las Cruces was not unlike any other thriving small town. The railroad, which was completed in 1881, created a stir in what would become the downtown area of the City of the Crosses, bringing with it people, jobs and architecture. It was Read More…

Constructed 1866. In 1850, Gregoria Rodela de Amador, a widow from Juarez, moved to the newly formed town of Las Cruces, where she may have opened a store.. Her son, Martin, expanded the business and began hauling freight between Santa Fe and Chihuahua. In 1866, Martin Amador built the original Read More…

Constructed 1935. The Branigan Cultural Center hosts changing cultural exhibits, as well as educational programs, classes, and other special events. The building is on the National and State Registries of Historic Buildings.On view at the Cultural Center is the mural “First Book about New Mexico-1610”, painted by Tom Lea (1907) Read More…

Constructed 1937. This 1937, three-story, Spanish-Pueblo Revival style building was partially funded by the Public Works Administration. The courthouse, which is listed on both the state and national historic register, is currently vacant, but there is potential for it to be rehabilitated and repurposed in the future. — Source “Public Read More…

Stretching over 200 miles, the route has been of great importance to New Mexico for centuries. Today the byway connects multiple New Mexico MainStreet districts, traveling through Las Cruces, Truth or Consequences, Belen and Albuquerque. “In 1598, Don Juan de Onate led 500 colonists through the remote and unfamiliar country, Read More…

The MainStreet District in Las Cruces offers a variety of public art for your enjoyment. From the murals on the public library to statues and art that represent the history and culture of the largest city in the southern part of the state. 200 E Picacho Ave. Las Cruces, NM Read More…

Constructed 1910. The first Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe (AT&SF) train arrived in Las Cruces on April 26, 1881. The first depot was a wood frame building that was later moved on flatcars down the line to Al Tuna (present day Anthony, TX). The wood frame building provided passenger and Read More…

Constructed 1849. The Mesquite District is recognized as part of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the historic Spanish Intercontinental Royal Route from Mexico City to Santa Fe. The original town site is rich in history and culture, with 22 of the original blocks still in existence and more than Read More…

Constructed 1926. The Rio Grande Theatre came to life on July 29, 1926 with the opening of the silent film, Mare Nostrum, (A powerful story of the sea), with pipe organ accompaniment. The original builders of the Rio Grande Theatre were C. T. Seale and B. G. Dyne who acquired Read More…

Constructed 1941. Designed by El Paso architect Guy Frazer, the State Theater on Main Street in Las Cruces opened on Christmas Eve, 1941. It had a seating capacity of 563 patrons and was built at a cost of $30,000. The theater is a modest and intimate expression of Art Deco Read More…

homas Branigan Memorial Library is located at 200 E. Picacho Ave. on the corner of North Main St. and Picacho Ave. “Navajo Blankets Portfolio” by Louie Ewing and a small watercolor by Ramos Sanchez, “San Ildefonso Pueblo,” are available for viewing. On request one can study the “Portfolio of Spanish Read More…