Local_history_articles

El Camino Real International Heritage Center Foundation board member Paul Harden authors a monthly history article for Socorro's El Defensor Chieftain newspaper. These articles are more or less specific to the history of Socorro County and surrounding areas, but typical to much of the history in this part of the state. Some of the articles are found below. Most articles contains numerous historical and present-day photos.

Paul writes these articles to document and share the history of Socorro County and may be printed out for your personal use. However, they are copyrighted and no part is to be used in any publication or placed on the internet without consent of the author.

Mission Churches of Socorro County, Part 1

History of early Spanish missions along El Camino Real in the early 1600s to a few more "modern" ones. Includes early Socorro missions, San Miguel, Santa Rita, Lady of Fatima (Florida)

Mission Churches of Socorro County, Part 2

More mission churches in Socorro County, most along the east and west branches of El Camino Real. Includes San Acacia, La Joyita, Alamillo, Polvadera, Lemitar, Bosquecito, San Antonio, San Marcial, Magdalena

Ghost Towns (and nearly forgotten towns) of Socorro County, Part 1

The history of some of the old towns and villages on the EAST side of the Rio Grande.

Includes Abo and Abo Pass, Scholle, Carthage, Tokay, Adobe, Ozzane, Claunch

Ghost Towns (and nearly forgotten towns) of Socorro County, Part 2

The history of some of the old towns and villages on the WEST side of the Rio Grande.

Includes Rosedale, Turkey Springs, Water Canyon, Ojo Caliente, Puertocito, Manuelo Rito

La Leyenda de La Llorona

This is one of New Mexico's most enduring legends ... the spirit ghost of La Llorona ... roaming the Rio Grande looking for her children. This version is that common to Socorro and southern New Mexico. Did the legend spread throughout New Mexico and Mexico along El Camino Real?

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, Part 1

Early history of El Camino Real through Socorro County and Jornada del Muerto from 1598 to the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. Includes maps and photos of the trail.

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, Part 2

Later history of El Camino Real through Socorro County and Jornada del Muerto from the 1698 de Vargas conquest to the 1880s arrival of the railroad. Includes maps and photos of the trail.

The Lost Adams Diggings

Without a doubt, one of the Southwest's most famous lost gold stories. It appears the Lost Adams Diggings and the zig-zag canyon are located near the Socorro-Catron County line. But where?

<---click on map to enlarge.

Part 1 here Part 2 here

Cold Cases

A look at New Mexico's most famous unsolved crime (Col. Albert Fountain), and some of Socorro County's cold cases from the 1880s to the present day.

Part 1 here Part 2 here

The 1964 Socorro UFO Landing Incident

The famous UFO incident from an historic perspective using original Defensor-Chieftain newspaper accounts at the time and present day photos of the landing site.

Note: Officer Lonnie Zamora died Nov. 2, 2009.

Apache Warriors

Not all Apaches were on the war-path. Many lived in peace; many were Army Scouts. Regardless, they all became prisoners of war in captivity from the 1880s to 1913.

Where are they today? They're our neighbors!

Part 1 here Part 2 here

Las Posadas y Las Pastorelas

One of the oldest Christmas traditions in New Mexico -- the story of the baby Jesus as taught to the Aztecs, pueblo Indians and the Spanish colonists along El Camino Real by the Franciscans, and how it is kept alive in New Mexico today.

The Last Flight of B-17 No. 9161

On October 16, 1942, a B-17 crashed into North Baldy Peak near Magdalena, NM, killing all nine crewmen onboard. Learn what caused this tragic flight that is still talked about today.

What's In A Name?

A history of some of Socorro's old territorial and colonial Spanish families and how most of their ancestors arrived along the Rio Grande via El Camino Real trail.

Part 1 here Part 2 here

The Pedro Armendaris Land Grant

Encompassing over 50 miles of El Camino Real trail and the Jornada del Muerto, this remains the largest Spanish land grant in NM. Today, it remains intact as Ted Turner's Armendaris Ranch.