The true grit and glory of Doña Ana’s 19th-century heyday lies on what is now a narrow backstreet adjacent to the church. Cristo Rey Street leads down the original path of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro and through the Doña Ana Village Historic District, the historic heart of the oldest permanent Hispano settlement in southern New Mexico. Today, in ambiance and architecture, Doña Ana is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional rural culture.
The true grit and glory of Doña Ana’s 19th-century heyday lies on what is now a narrow backstreet adjacent to the church. Cristo Rey Street leads down the original path of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro and through the Doña Ana Village Historic District, the historic heart of the oldest permanent Hispano settlement in southern New Mexico. Today, in ambiance and architecture, Doña Ana is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional rural culture.
Since 1598, this area experienced conflicts with the Apaches and Comanches, which prevented permanent settlement in the Rio Grande Valley between El Paso del Norte and Tomé. A major river flood in 1829 spurred the founding of Doña Ana as the first settlement in the Mesilla Valley, although it wasn't officially established until 1843.
The first houses were distributed along the edge of the plateau, following the path toward the irrigated lands. These single-room houses were built of adobe with flat roofs, windowless facades, and fortified doors.
The social and spiritual center was located at the northwest end. The construction of the Church of Our Lady of Candelaria (also known as Our Lady of Purification) began in 1852, blending Spanish, Mexican, and New Mexican architectural elements.
This population experienced slow but steady growth, leading the development of southern New Mexico. It was an essential stop for travelers and traders who dared to take the Jornada del Muerto.
Today, Doña Ana retains the atmosphere and architecture of a traditional 19th-century Hispanic rural village.
