Santa Fe history

The history of Santa Fe is unique for the United States: it is the oldest state capital in the country. The city was officially founded in 1610 by the Spanish Governor-General Don Pedro de Peralta. He gave the new settlement the majestic name La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asís, which translates as "The Royal City of the Holy Faith of Saint Francis of Assisi".

Before the arrival of Europeans, this area, known for its healing springs and favourable climate, was inhabited by the indigenous Pueblo people, whose settlements were called Ogapoge.

Key Factors of Formation

• Strategic Geography: The city is situated at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range at an altitude of over 2,000 metres. The presence of the Santa Fe River provided residents with the water necessary for irrigation in the semi-arid climate.
• Political Centre: From its founding, Santa Fe was designed as the administrative heart of the province of Santa Fe de Nuevo México. The city was built according to classic Spanish urban planning laws: around a central square (Plaza), which served as a gathering place, market, and location for government buildings.
• Trade Routes: The city became an important hub as the endpoint of the legendary "Royal Road of the Interior Land" (El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro), connecting the northern territories with Mexico City.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Santa Fe was agrarian and closely linked to missionary activity. The region's isolation contributed to the development of subsistence farming and specific crafts, such as weaving and pottery.

The cultural appearance of the city was formed under the influence of the fusion of Spanish traditions and Indigenous American customs. It was during this period that the famous Pueblo architectural style emerged, characterized by buildings made of adobe (sun-dried brick) with flat roofs and protruding beams, which is today the hallmark of Santa Fe.

Timeline of Santa Fe's Development

• Circa 900 AD — Settlements of indigenous Pueblo peoples, known as Ogapoge, exist on the territory of the modern city.
• 1610 — Don Pedro de Peralta officially founds the city and moves the capital of the Spanish province of Nuevo México here.
• 1680 — A large-scale Pueblo Revolt forces Spanish colonists to leave the city, which comes under the control of the indigenous population.
• 1692 — Diego de Vargas conducts the "Bloodless Reconquest", returning Santa Fe to the Spanish Crown.
• 1821 — Mexico gains independence from Spain, and in the same year, the Santa Fe Trail opens, linking the city with the USA.
• 1846 — During the Mexican-American War, General Stephen Watts Kearny occupies the city without a fight, declaring it US territory.
• 1851 — Jean-Baptiste Lamy becomes the first bishop of the territory, initiating the construction of the famous St. Francis Cathedral.
• 1862 — During the US Civil War, Confederate troops briefly occupy the city but soon retreat.
• 1880 — The arrival of the first railway line radically changes the region's economy and opens it to tourists.
• 1912 — New Mexico officially becomes the 47th US state, and Santa Fe retains its status as its capital.
• 1917 — The opening of the New Mexico Museum of Art secures the city's reputation as a growing centre of artistic culture.
• 1943 — A secret office opens on East Palace Avenue in the city, serving as the gateway for scientists of the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos.
• 1957 — The Santa Fe Opera is founded, becoming one of the main world-class cultural attractions.
• 2005 — Santa Fe becomes the first American city included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

Key Stages of the City's Transformation

The evolution of Santa Fe is a journey from a remote colonial outpost to a global centre of art and science. The following milestones played a decisive role in shaping the city's unique economic and architectural landscape:

• Opening of the Santa Fe Trail (1821):

  After Mexico gained independence, the city was no longer closed to foreigners. Becoming the endpoint of a trade route from Missouri, Santa Fe turned into an international commercial hub. This led to an influx of American goods and merchants, which forever changed the region's economy and made the central square (Plaza) a bustling market.

• The Railway Era and the Beginning of Tourism (1880):

  Although the main railway line bypassed the city, the construction of a branch line connected Santa Fe with the rest of the USA. This event marked the end of the caravan era and the beginning of a tourism boom. Hotels and restaurants oriented towards travellers from the East Coast began to appear in the city.

• The "City Different" Movement and Architectural Code (1912):

  In the year of gaining statehood, city planners made a strategic decision: to attract tourists, the city must look unique. Strict building codes were introduced, prescribing the revival of the Pueblo Revival style (Spanish-Pueblo). This decision prevented mass development with standard buildings and preserved the historical charm that is today the city's main economic asset.

• Formation of the Art Colony (1920s):

  Attracted by the unique light and landscapes, artists and writers (including the "Los Cinco Pintores" group) began flocking to the city. This laid the foundation for the transformation of the Canyon Road district into one of the most concentrated art zones in the USA, making the sale of art objects a crucial source of revenue for the city.

• Scientific Impulse (1940s):

  The placement of the secret Manhattan Project office in Santa Fe and the proximity of the Los Alamos National Laboratory attracted scientists and intellectuals to the region. This created a unique demographic environment with a high level of education, contributing to the development of the technology sector and the service industry.

• International Recognition (2005):

  Being designated as the first UNESCO Creative City in the USA secured Santa Fe's reputation as a global cultural capital. This event stimulated new investments in museums, festivals, and creative industries, definitively shaping the city's image as a destination for elite cultural tourism.

Architectural Identity and Urban Planning

The architectural appearance of Santa Fe is the result of a unique synthesis of three cultures: the indigenous Pueblo peoples, Spanish colonisers, and American settlers. Unlike most US cities where glass and steel dominate, Santa Fe has consciously preserved low-rise construction and earth tones, enshrined in strict urban planning regulations adopted in the early 20th century to preserve historical heritage.

Eras and Architectural Styles

The development of the city can be traced through the change of architectural dominants, each corresponding to a specific historical period:

• Pre-Colonial Period and Early Settlement (Pueblo Style):

  The original style of the region, characterised by the use of adobe (bricks made of clay and straw dried in the sun). Buildings have thick walls, rounded corners, and flat roofs supported by wooden beams (vigas), the ends of which protrude outwards.

• Spanish Colonial Period (1610–1821):

  The Spanish adapted Pueblo construction methods, adding European elements: inner courtyards (patios), long covered verandas (portales), and wooden window frames. Urban planning was built around the central square (Plaza) according to the Laws of the Indies.

• American Expansion (Territorial Style, 1846–1912):

  With the arrival of the US Army and the opening of trade routes, elements of Greek Revival and Neoclassicism penetrated local architecture. Adobe walls began to be decorated with fired brick along the cornice (to protect against rain), and white wooden architraves and square columns appeared.

• The "City Different" Movement (Pueblo Revival, from 1912):

  In response to modernisation, city authorities approved the Pueblo Revival style (Spanish-Pueblo Revival) as the official one. This is an artificially recreated style imitating ancient adobe structures using modern materials (stucco resembling adobe), uneven wall contours, and stepped storeys.

Exceptions: European Eclecticism

In the late 19th century, thanks to the efforts of Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy, buildings appeared in the city that contrasted sharply with the earthen structures. These edifices were intended to bring a "civilised" European look to the "wild" frontier.

• Romanesque Revival Style: Massive stone arches and towers characteristic of medieval Europe.
• Gothic Revival: Pointed windows, spires, and stained glass.

Iconic Buildings that Shaped the City's Look

Key architectural monuments of Santa Fe serve as living illustrations of changing eras:

• Palace of the Governors: The oldest public building in the USA. A standard of Spanish Colonial style with massive adobe walls and a long portal where indigenous residents sell their crafts.
• Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi: A striking example of Romanesque Revival style. Built of yellow limestone, it dominates the city centre, symbolising the influence of the French clergy.
• Loretto Chapel: An elegant building in Gothic Revival style, known for its legendary spiral staircase with no visible central support.
• New Mexico Museum of Art: A masterpiece of Pueblo Revival style (1917). It was this building that set the standard for all modern construction in Santa Fe, combining the aesthetics of old missions with the functionality of a museum.

Distinguished Figures of Santa Fe

The history and culture of Santa Fe are inextricably linked with the names of artists, writers, religious figures, and politicians who lived and worked here, shaping the unique spirit of the city.

• Don Diego de Vargas (1643–1704)
  Spanish Governor and Coloniser
  A key figure in the region's history. He led the "Bloodless Reconquest" of 1692, returning Santa Fe to Spanish control after the Pueblo Revolt. His return to the city is celebrated annually during the famous Fiesta de Santa Fe, the oldest continuous community festival in the USA.
• Jean-Baptiste Lamy (1814–1888)
  First Archbishop of Santa Fe
  A French clergyman who reformed church life in the US Southwest. It was he who initiated the construction of the Romanesque St. Francis Cathedral, which is today one of the city's main attractions. His life served as the basis for Willa Cather's famous novel "Death Comes for the Archbishop".
• Lew Wallace (1827–1905)
  Governor of the Territory of New Mexico and Writer
  A Civil War general appointed governor to restore order during the "Lincoln County War". Known for offering amnesty to Billy the Kid. While residing in the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe, he wrote a significant part of his famous novel "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ".
• Georgia O'Keeffe (1887–1986)
  Artist, "Mother of American Modernism"
  Although O'Keeffe lived in nearby Abiquiú and Ghost Ranch, Santa Fe became the centre for preserving her legacy. She drew inspiration from the landscapes of New Mexico, creating her famous paintings of the desert and flowers. The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, which holds the largest collection of her works, is located in the city.
• John Gaw Meem (1894–1983)
  Architect
  The man who defined the modern look of Santa Fe. He was the main populariser of the Pueblo Revival style (Spanish-Pueblo Revival). Thanks to his projects and influence, strict urban planning regulations were developed that preserved the unique adobe aesthetic of the city and prevented standard development.
• Cormac McCarthy (1933–2023)
  Writer and Playwright
  One of the greatest American novelists of modern times, a Pulitzer Prize winner. He lived in Santa Fe for several decades, working at the Santa Fe Institute. Many of his later masterpieces were written here, including "No Country for Old Men" and "The Road".
• George R. R. Martin (born 1948)
  Science Fiction Writer and Screenwriter
  Author of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, which became the basis for the "Game of Thrones" series. Martin is a long-time resident of Santa Fe and an active patron of the arts. He bought and restored the historic Jean Cocteau Cinema, turning it into a cultural centre, and supports local artistic initiatives, including the Meow Wolf art space.