photo by gusto

Las Cruces (population 70,000) is an hour north of the Mexican border. It is a leading producer of alfalfa, chilies, onions, corn, cotton, and pecans. It is home to the New Mexico State University and, with a growing base of manufacturers, is the largest business center in southern New Mexico.

The first Spaniards passed through the area in 1535. In 1630, the tribe of Native Americans that lived here was wiped out by smallpox and other diseases, after a Spanish mission was established here. Las Cruces became a stopover for caravans on El Camino Real, or “The Royal Road.” In 1787, Mesilla Valley travelers came upon oxcart drivers killed by Apaches, and erected crosses at the site. In 1830, travelers from Taos were also killed by Apaches and crosses were erected for them as well. That led to the name “La Placita de las Cruces,” or “Little Place of the Crosses,” which became shortened to “Las Cruces.”

The Organ Mountains were named for their pipelike spires and pinnacles. They rise up to 5,000 feet from the valley floor just east of Las Cruces. White Sands Missile Range, over San Augustin Pass through the Organ Mountains, employs about 9,000 Las Cruces residents.

New Mexico State University, with 4,000 workers, is the second-largest employer. The campus is one of the largest in the country and dates back to an 1880s land grant. Agriculture is the major area of study and the university has a highly respected computer science program, as well as one of the nation’s largest planetary observatories. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History has exhibits such as “The Life of Caves,” “Fire,” “Dinosaurs,” and “Jupiter and Its Moons.” At the Branigan Cultural Center, the work of local artists is exhibited, as well as photographs and historical artifacts from Mesilla and Las Cruces.

About 3 miles southwest of Las Cruces, Mesilla is home to restaurants, galleries, gift shops, and museums. One of the oldest missions in the Mesilla Valley, San Albino Church, was built in 1851 and reconstructed in 1906. The Gadsden Museum displays artifacts from Native American, Mexican, and early Anglo settlers.

Las Cruces has an international airport, and bus and rail service.