La Cueva, New Mexico

La Cueva is an unincorporated community on the Mora River in Mora County, New Mexico, United States, situated at the intersection of New Mexico Routes 442 and 518. It was established in 1851 by Vicente RomeroNew Mexico Office of Cultural Affairs (1995) "Enchanted Lifeways: The history, museums, arts & festivals of New Mexico" New Mexico Magazine, Santa Fe, N.M., p. 87, ISBN 0-937206-39-3] who found the nearby location of Fort Union provided both protection from the Apache and a market for his crops.Julyan, Robert Hixson (1998) "La Cueva" "The place names of New Mexico" (2nd ed.) University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, NM, p. 189, ISBN 0-8263-1688-3] Legend has it that he named the village "La Cueva" because he lived in a nearby cave (Sp.: "la cueva") while he was building his ranch house. He and his neighbors prospered and he built a grist mill in the early 1860s.

La Cueva had a post office from 1868 until 1961. The La Cueva Historic District became a United States registered historical district in 1973 and preserves 470 acres. [ [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/NM/Mora/districts.html "National Register of Historic Places: New Mexico - Mora County - Historic Districts"] ] "Enchanted Lifeways" gives an incorrect figure of 33,000 acres, which is the size of the nearby Colin Neblett Wildlife Area.] It includes the mill, the original San Rafael Church, a merchantile (store), the 1851 Romero ranch house, as well as other parts of the Romero ranch and village center.

La Cueva Lake is one mile east of the village.

References

Further reading

* Julyan, Robert Hixson (1998) "La Cueva" "The place names of New Mexico" (2nd ed.) University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, NM, p. 189, ISBN 0-8263-1688-3
*New Mexico Office of Cultural Affairs (1995) "Enchanted Lifeways: The history, museums, arts & festivals of New Mexico" New Mexico Magazine, Santa Fe, N.M., p. 87, ISBN 0-937206-39-3

External links

* [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/NM/Mora/districts.html "National Register of Historic Places: New Mexico - Mora County - Historic Districts"]
* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/US/35/La_Cueva2.html "La Cueva, United States" fallingrain.com]
* [http://www.nps.gov/history/NR/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/96ranchos/96ranchos.htm "The Hispano Ranchos of Northern New Mexico: Continuity and Change," a National Park Service Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) lesson plan]