Tu Revista Latina Magazine

1912-2012 New Mexico Centennial, During the first 25 years

Known for its scenic beauty, New Mexico is distinguished not only by its picturesque landscape, but by the significance of its history to the nation. Our history, so rich and colorful, is what sets us apart and no state can claim a past quite like ours. Unfortunately, there are numerous events in New Mexico’s history that many are unfamiliar with and much of it is buried all around us. With this in mind, we set out to find little-known chronicles of New Mexico's past.

The following are episodes in the first twenty-five years of our statehood and in the next three issues we will continue to feature events in increments of twenty-five years. This is in no way comprehensive; this is simply our attempt to highlight events you may not have known took place in the Land of Enchantment.

1912
January 6th at 1:35 P.M., New Mexico became the 47th state. After signing the proclamation, President Taft said to the delegates from New Mexico, “Well, it is all over. I am glad to give you life. I hope you will be healthy.”

1916
Elephant Butte Dam, the second largest irrigation dam in the world opens. The dam was constructed to regulate water flows in New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. The United States Congress authorized construction of the dam on February 25, 1905 but construction did not begin until 1911. It was completed in 1916 but allowed to begin filling in 1915.

1917
The USS New Mexico was launched in April 1917 after being christened with champagne and water from the Rio Grande. Known as “the Queen of the Fleet,” she survived two world wars and fought violent battles before being decommissioned on July 19, 1946.

1918
Approximately 5,000 New Mexicans die in an influenza outbreak following the end of WWI. The epidemic reached New Mexico in late fall and was thought to have been brought to New Mexico by travelers and immigrants.

1925
The State of New Mexico adopted the burgundy sun on a gold background as the state flag. The design was the creation of Dr. Harry Mera, a New Mexico physician and anthropologist at the Museum of Anthropology in Santa Fe. The design was inspired by a pot on display at the museum. Today, red is used instead burgundy and the red and yellow represent the colors of Spain.

1926
Route 66 comes to New Mexico Affectionately known as the Mother Road, Route 66 became the livelihood of towns and cities that sprung up along its stretch from Chicago to Los Angeles. In New Mexico, Route 66 was as contorted as the geological landscape it extended across.

1930
Carlsbad Caverns is made a national park Discovered by settlers in the 1800s, Carlsbad Caverns is one of the most famous cave systems in the world. It is made up of several chambers with the largest spanning an area of 357,469 square feet. In 1923 the Department of the Interior sent Robert Holley to investigate claims of the natural wonder.

1933
The legislature creates the New Mexico Motor Patrol to enforce traffic laws. Each of the ten first motor patrol officers was issued a Harley Davidson. Only two years later, the New Mexico State Police replaced the motor patrol and was given full police powers to enforce all laws of the state as well as statewide jurisdiction.

1935
The “Black Blizzard” ravaged New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma. The sandstorm was said to be the worst of the almost decade long Dust Bowl era. Livestock suffered and died agonizing deaths unprotected in the fields and many people died several days later of dust pneumonia.

1937
MILTON "DOC" NOSS claimed to have discovered a buried gold treasure during a hunting trip at Victorio Peak in northern Doña Ana County. The fortune was said to include thousands of gold bars among other valuable treasures. No record exists of any gold ever being recovered from the site.

Winter 2012