What is the oldest settlement in New Mexico?

Posted in New Mexico Attractions December 27, 2020

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Acoma Pueblo In New Mexico
What was the first settlement in New Mexico?
What is the oldest town in New Mexico?
Who first settled in New Mexico?
Who first settled Santa Fe?

Most people don’t realize it, but New Mexico reigns supreme when it comes to historic sites. We’re home to the oldest city, the oldest church, one of the oldest homes, and some of the oldest communities in the country. One of those settlements is the Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico.

This is Acoma Pueblo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the country. Anthropologists estimate the people of Acoma have been living in the area for at least 800 years while tribal members estimate it to be closer to 2,000 years.

The pueblo is located about one hour west of Albuquerque, just off a quiet state highway, and is actually made up of four different villages: Acomita, Anzac, McCartys, and Old Acoma, also called Sky City. Today, we’re looking at the latter village.

The village sits perched on a steep mesa, the adobe buildings appear to blend with the landscape. It offers a perfect view of the land surrounding the village and, at one point in time, safety from enemies.

Approximately 300 adobe buildings sit up here without electricity or running water but only a few dozen people continue to live in the village permanently. Others live in neighboring towns and cities for work and school but return for feast days or family events.

One of the primary examples of European contact with the pueblo is the San Estevan del Rey Mission, which dates to 1629 when construction first began. The structure is tall yet composed of modest adobe construction like the homes surrounding it and the mission has surprisingly stayed the same over the centuries with few repairs.

Guided tours are offered in the village and old mission, but you’ll also want to spend some time wandering the Sky City Cultural Center and Haak’u Museum.

You’ll see a variety of exhibits, which details the lives and history of the Acoma and Indigenous peoples.

The center also hosts various cultural events and workshops aimed at cultural revitalization. These include beginner pottery workshops, an annual cycle event called the Tour de Acoma, movie screenings, and more.

Acoma Pueblo and Sky City Cultural Center are located approximately one hour west of Albuquerque, via Interstate 40 and State Route 23. For details about visiting, check out acomaskycity.org or their Facebook page.

Ready to check out more historic spots around the state? You can read about some of our architecture in The 7 Oldest Buildings In New Mexico Where Time Stands Still.

Address: Acoma Pueblo, NM 87034, USA

Address: Haaku Rd, Acoma Pueblo, NM 87034, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Acoma Pueblo In New Mexico

January 01, 2021

Leah

What are the oldest places in New Mexico?

While the Acoma Pueblo may be the oldest settlement in New Mexico, it’s one of many historic places that top the list as the oldest in not only the state but the whole country. New Mexico is home to the oldest church in the United States, the San Miguel Chapel. It’s located in Santa Fe and has been around for over 400 years. There is another old pueblo in the state, as well, called the Taos Pueblo. It has been inhabited continuously for over 1,000 years. Like the Acoma Pueblo, you can visit it for yourself and see what the beautiful, still-lived-in structures look like up close.

What are the most well known historic sites in New Mexico?

With such a deep history still alive and well, New Mexico is great for history buffs or people who enjoy some old charm. Along with the Acoma and Taos Pueblos, one of the most well-known historic buildings in the state is the Palace of the Governors. Located in Santa Fe, this is one of the oldest government buildings in the United States. It’s been around since 1610 and has gone through quite a tumultuous history. Today, it’s a museum documenting New Mexico’s history.

What underrated historic places in New Mexico should I visit?

Since there are so many historic places to visit in New Mexico, it can be easy to overlook some of the lesser-visited spots. Still, they are worth checking out. Many people know about the Acoma and Taos Pueblo, but you can go even further back in time when you visit the Ancestral Puebloan Dwellings in Chaco Canyon. They are ruins today, but still absolutely fascinating to visit. It is estimated that they were built around 750 AD, making them some of the oldest settlements here. Along with all of the ancient dwellings and pueblos, you can also check out New Mexico’s wild west history in places like Lincoln, New Mexico.

Address: Acoma Pueblo, NM 87034, USA

Address: Haaku Rd, Acoma Pueblo, NM 87034, USA

What was the first settlement in New Mexico?

Peralta was told that San Gabriel, the capital, was too far removed from the centers of population so in 1610 he founded Villa Nueva de Santa Fe. This was the first Spanish settlement in New Mexico and it became the focus of most activity during the seventeenth century.

What is the oldest town in New Mexico?

Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the United States and the oldest city in New Mexico. The meaning of Santa Fe is “holy faith” in Spanish. 2014 population was 68,298. The city was originally occupied by a number of Pueblo Indian villages with founding dates between 1050 to 1150.

Who first settled in New Mexico?

New Mexico was first settled ten millennia ago, by Pueblo Indians who built cities and sophisticated irrigation systems. Pueblo ruins are found throughout the state.