First Ward School - Historic Santa Fe Foundation

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Santa Fe's First Park In 1832 Antonio Barreiro, a young attorney sent from Mexico the previous year to serve as asesor or legal advisor to the New Mexican authorities, noted: Santa Fe has many places adequate for public parks. The abundance of cottonwood trees would make the work of any man who wished to promote such project very easy indeed. 1 Santa Fe, however, did not have a park or public spirited citizen until the administration of Governor Mariano Martinez de Lejanza (1844-1845). Intent on beautifying Santa Fe the newly appointed governor ordered the establishment of a large park south of Rosario Chapel. The area which was known as "La Alameda" was described in 1913 by Demetrio Perez, the son of slain Governor Albino Perez: Another work to embelish [sic] Santa Fe was done by him [Governor Martinez] & that was the establishment of a Park (Alameda) outside of the City in the Northern part near the Chapel of Nuestra Senora del Rosario. This park was attractive for its beauty. It was well planned by Gov. Martinez. - Trees & wild flowers were planted there systematically & grew nicely by constant irrigation from a long ditch dug out from the Terminus of the Common ditch used for the irrigation of lands North of the river which ended at the Arroyo running from the mountains of "Rio de Tesuque"; the new ditch for the Alameda or Park was dug out for a distance of about 3000 yards [feet?];adobe fences were put in around the Park; walks were left inside running in straight lines from the center of the Park in all directions; a round spot was left in the center surrounded by a low adove [adobe] fence & this spot was used as a ring for Chickenjights, where those fond of that game used to assemble to enjoy the performances. On the West side of the Park was built an adobe house with a portal in front for [the] residence of the family of the man employed to irrigate the Park & keep the trees & plants in good condition. 1 Santa Fe's first park was possibly the alameda referred to as one of the locations used for a celebration on September 16, 1844 commemorating Mexican Independence. The program for the festivities called for the Governor to lead a procession of Santa Feans from the Plaza down la Calle Principal (San Francisco Street) to the alameda where a small shrine was erected. Following a public speech, military musicians, acrobats and rope walkers were scheduled to entertain the populace in the alameda. Weather permitting, fireworks were to be displayed that evening.3 In another account of Governor Martinez' beautification plans, Demetrio Perez commented on how Santa Feans greatly enjoyed sitting in the shade provided by the trees in the park ..• However, the park or alameda was short lived and its existence had been barely noted by troops in the U.S. Army of Occupation. Jeremy F. Gilmer included a sketch of the park and caretaker's residence in his 1846 Plan of Santa Fe New Mexico.s John T. Hughes in his 1848 work Doniphan's Expedition reproduced a map of Santa Fe at the time of occupation in 1846
C' ••.• c •••••• " •••. cr Portion of "Plan of Santa Fe, New Mexico" drawn by Jeremy F. Gilmer in 1846 showing Santa Fe's first park just south of Rosario Chapel. The caretaker's residence is located west of the park or alameda. Pathways can be seen radiating from the center where cockfights were held and the entire area is surrounded by a wall. An entrance is indicated at the southeast corner while a road from this same corner leads back to town along what is presently North Guadalupe Street. Jeremy F. Gilmer, "Plan of Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1846-1847." National Archives, Washington, D.C., Photocopy - State Records Center and Archives, Santa Fe, N.M.
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Page 3 and 4: The original First Ward School, pre
Page 5 and 6: $5,000.00. A graduate of Henneman H
Page 7: Santa Fe Plaza cruisers c. 1930. De
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First Ward School - Historic Santa Fe Foundation

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