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Española, New Mexico

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Española Template:IPAc-en is a city primarily in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, United States. A portion of the central and eastern section of the city is in Santa Fe County. Founded as a railroad village some distance from the old Indian town of San Juan de los Caballeros (now renamed Ohkay Owingeh),<ref name="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/travelspanishmissions/mission-san-juan-bautista.htm">Template:Cite web</ref> it was named Española and officially incorporated in 1925. It has been called the first capital city in the United States.<ref name="cityofespanola.org">Template:Cite web</ref> As of the 2020 census, the population was at 10,526.<ref name=":0" /> Española is within the Albuquerque–Santa Fe–Los Alamos combined statistical area. The city is home to Northern New Mexico College.

History

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Etymology

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Española was referred to as La Vega de los Vigiles ('the Vigils' Meadow') before the presence of railroads.<ref>La Vega de Los Vigiles was a small farming community, today Española Template:Webarchive</ref> La Española means 'Spanish woman', and folk history attributes the name to railroad construction workers who named the area after a woman who worked in a small restaurant in the area. In fact the name is a shortened form of Plaza Española ('Spanish town'), which likely was to differentiate it from the Tewa pueblo just to the south.<ref name=":0">[1] Template:Webarchive</ref>

Spanish settlement

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Tewa people have lived in the area since the 13th century. They built towns in the area, now called 'pueblos', four of which still exist: Ohkay Owingeh, Pojoaque, Santa Clara and San Ildefonso.<ref name=HisSpa>Template:Cite web</ref>

The upper reaches of the Rio Grande region were explored by the Spanish in 1540. Don Juan de Oñate was the first to bring settlers here in 1598. His group stayed at Ohkay Owingeh for a time (calling the Tewa town San Juan de los Caballeros), before settling in an abandoned Tewa village which he renamed San Gabriel. San Gabriel, close to modern Española, can thus be seen as the first capital city founded by people of European racial descent in what is now the United States.<ref name=HisSpa/>

Oñate arrived in the Española area on July 11, 1598, at the confluence of the Chama River and the Rio Grande, where he established a camp at a place then called Yunque-Yunque.Template:Citation needed

Almost a century later, near the same region, Don Diego de Vargas established his villa at Santa Cruz.<ref>Simmons, Marc, ‘’The Last Conquistador: Juan de Oñate and the Settling of the Far Southwest’’, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, 1991 p. 108-108</ref>

Railroad era

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File:Espanola 1885.png
Downtown Española, 1885
File:Espanola Depot 1920.jpg
The Española train depot, 1920
File:Espanola Downtown, 1920.jpg
Townspeople gather at the depot, 1930
File:Frank Bond 1903.png
Businessman and self made millionaire Frank Bond was a pivotal part of Española's growth

Prior to the arrival from Antonito, Colorado of the narrow gauge Denver and Rio Grande Railroad in 1880, the hamlet on the west-side of the Rio Grande was known as La Vega de los Vigiles in reference to the Vigil family who initially settled that area. The earliest document found indicates that La Vegas de los Vigiles had been populated by 1751, over 100 years before the railroad's arrival. With the coming of the railroad the name of the hamlet was changed to Española. Until 1886, when it was extended to Santa Fe, Española was the terminus of the line. The Española station included an engine facility along with a roundhouse and turntable so it could service the locomotives. The facilities were built but torn down or no longer in use after six years; plans for the town had changed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later popularly known as the "Chili Line", this was part of an ambitious but unsuccessful proposal to connect Denver with Mexico City.

The route extended into what today is the downtown Española area, and the railroad began selling lots in the area. Anglo merchants, mountain men, and settlers slowly filtered into Española.<ref>Rio Grande Sun, Historical Issue on City of Española, 1961–62</ref> Frank Bond and his brother George, who were Canadian emigrants, would later arrive in the city. Together they established the state's largest mercantile and a multi–million dollar wool empire. With them came economic growth and prominence. Española was the headquarters for all the Bond family interests which included over 12 businesses across New Mexico.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Frank R. Frankenburger, a business man born in Fort Scott, Kansas, was the first "elected" mayor; he was elected in 1923. The first mayor who was chosen in "popularity" was Frank Bond, in 1907. In 1925 Española was incorporated as a city.<ref>Rio Grande Sun, Historical Issue on City of Española, 1975</ref> As the population rose, there was a high demand for public education in the city. Española High School was established; it would be the largest school in the area for decades. The first high school in the area, however, was Santa Cruz High School. Two miles away from downtown Española, it opened in 1906 in the historic Santa Cruz area. Neither high school operates after a merger of school districts in 1975.<ref>Brief History of EVHS Template:Webarchive. Española Public School District. Retrieved on February 28, 2008.</ref>

The importance of the railroad began to lessen as minimal passenger traffic and low shipments forced the railroad to close in 1941, with the tracks removed the following year. Many locals would become unemployed and would follow the railroad to Santa Fe, Albuquerque and central Colorado for jobs. Española's population would fall dramatically and many homes in the downtown became abandoned. Most of the locals who remained would turn to farming as a way of life. Many people saw Española as another failed railroad town.<ref>Denver Rio Grande Rail Road Closes, Santa Fe New Mexican, 1998</ref> The city removed the railroad tracks and the train depot in the 1960s, and the railroads completely vanished.

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Post-railroad

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With the beginnings of Manhattan Project in nearby Los Alamos, many locals eventually found jobs at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). As much as nearly 9% of Española's population have been employed at LANL.Template:Full citation needed

In the 1980s, many historical buildings and homes of historical significance were torn down for urban renewal. Española followed many other New Mexico cities in this trend, but in Española, it failed. More modern business began to move into town, but the growth of Española had now expanded east across the Rio Grande. Although several buildings of historical significance remain in downtown Española, many are unused or abandoned.Template:Cn Strip malls became visible in Española, the first being the 'Big Rock shopping center', founded by oil tycoon Roy Honstein.

In the 1990s, a controversial plan to build a "plaza" and mission church where many historic buildings once stood was up for consideration. The city agreed to the plan, and locals supported the plaza. Although a plaza never existed in Española before the railroads, it was built to pay tribute to the Spanish culture in the area.<ref>Española officials plan to revitalize downtown, Santa Fe New Mexican, 1997 Template:Full citation needed</ref>

Recent history

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File:Espanola New Mexico Convento.jpg
Española Plaza, replica convento

On September 18, 2008, Barack Obama, then a candidate for president, visited Española for a rally at the city's New Plaza in the Main Street district.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news Contains 3 articles.</ref>

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, with Template:Convert land and Template:Convert water, for a total of 0.83%.

Española lies at an elevation of around Template:Convert with much variance. It is in a valley nestled between the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges, and the meeting point of three rivers, the Rio Grande, the Rio Chama, and the Rio Santa Cruz.

Climate

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Española has a borderline cool semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk)/cool desert climate (BWk). The main Española weather station is hotter and drier than nearby cities due to relatively lower altitude, lying over Template:Convert lower than Taos or county seat Tierra Amarilla.

July is the hottest month, with an average high of Template:Convert. The highest recorded temperature was Template:Convert in 2003. The average coolest month is January at Template:Convert. The lowest recorded temperature was Template:Convert in 1971. The maximum average precipitation occurs in August with an average of Template:Convert.

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Air quality

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According to the 2011 annual report by the American Lung Association, the Santa Fe–Española CSA (metropolitan area) has the cleanest ozone layer in the country (ranked #1), cleanest area in the country for 24-hour particle pollution (ranked #1) and cleanest area in the country for annual particle pollution (ranked #2).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2000 census

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At the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 9,688 people, 5,751 households, and 4,569 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 5,107 housing units at an average density of 189.2/square kilometer (489.8/square mile). The racial makeup of the city was 67.55% White, 0.58% African American, 2.86% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 25.56% from other races, and 3.25% from two or more races. 84.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,751 households, of which 35.6% had children under the age of eighteen living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 18.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of single individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was sixty-five years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.8% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was thirty-four years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females aged eighteen and over, there were 94.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,144, and the median income for a family was $32,255. Males had a median income of $25,558 versus $23,177 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,303. 21.6% of the population and 16.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 28.4% of those under the age of eighteen and 15.1% of those sixty-five and older were living below the poverty line.

2010 census

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As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2010, there were 10,224 residing in the city.

The racial makeup of the city was:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Economy

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File:Espanola Hospital.jpg
Presbyterian Hospital, 2013, after expansion
Largest employers in EspañolaTemplate:Citation needed
1 Los Alamos National Laboratory
2 Española Public Schools
3 Presbyterian Healthcare Services
4 Akal Security
5 Northern New Mexico College
6 Northern Pueblos Gaming Council
7 Walmart
8 Lowe's
9 City of Española
10 Rio Arriba County

The Los Alamos National Laboratory is the largest employer in Española; it accounts for over 12% employment of residents. The education sector is the second largest employer, the Española Public Schools is the 16th largest school district in New Mexico. Recently, Northern New Mexico College has expanded its degree programs and made massive improvements to its campus, adding a new library and a new School of Education. Larger local businesses include Akal Securities Inc, a security company that employees over 500 people.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Española has seen much commercial development on Riverside Drive, the city's secondary main road. Retail and eatery chains are anchors of a shopping square which came into the city in 1999. Other stores followed.

Plaza de Española

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The fountain at Plaza de Española was designed as a replica of the Alhambra. The plaza is home to the Convent Mission, administered by the Episcopal Church.Template:Cn

Telecommunications

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Satview Broadband, headquartered in Reno, is the local cable television company. Due to a legal dispute with Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Satview Broadband has suspended services in Española as of March 2016.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The city is served by several satellite TV services and is served by Windstream Communications for telecom and broadband service.

Festivals and activities

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Template:Unsourced Española's restaurants and convenience stores are popular with travelers between Santa Fe and northern communities, as well as with local people. The local fiestas are held in the summer to commemorate the Spanish colonization and introduction of Christian faith to the area. The fiestas include live New Mexico and/or country music, vendors and parades.

There are many locations near Española that provide for outdoor activity such as hiking, biking, and river sports like rafting and kayaking. Nearby winter sports include skiing (downhill and cross-country) and snowboarding.

Parks and recreation

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Recreational facilities

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  • Penny Roybal Garcia (Ranchitos) Aquatic Center
  • Richard L. Lucero Recreation Center

Major community parks

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  • Plaza de Española Park
  • Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Park
  • Ranchitos Park
  • Valdez Park (dedicated in memory of Española native Phil Valdez)

Government

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File:Espanola New Mexico City Hall.jpg
Government complex

The city of Española is run by a mayor–council government system under Strong-mayor form. The mayor and eight-member city councilors from their respected districts are elected to a four-year term, elections are constant every two years, with no term limits. The mayor appoints a city manager who supervises department heads, prepares the budget, and coordinates departments.

Every two years during the organizational meeting, one council member is elected by a majority in the council to serve as mayor pro–tem, usually a member from the party that is in control of the council.

Elected officials

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Name Position Party reg. Took office Up for
re–election
John Ramon Vigil Mayor Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democrat 2022 2026
Pedro Valdez District 1 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democrat 2024 2028
Aaron J. Salazar District 1 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democrat 2022 2026
Peggy Sue Martinez District 2, Mayor Pro Tem Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democrat 2012 2028
Nanette D. Rodriguez District 2 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democrat 2022 2026
Denise D. Benavidez District 3 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democrat 2018 2026
Felicia Archuleta-Toya District 3 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democrat 2024 2028
Justin J. Salazar Torrez District 4 Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 2018 2026
Samuel Z. LeDoux District 4 Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 2024 2028
Joseph W. Madrid Municipal Judge Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democrat 2022 2026

List of mayors

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*Denotes Resignation

Education

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Public schools

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File:Española Valley High School entrance New Mexico.jpg
Española Valley High School

The City of Española is a part of the Española Public Schools district, with six of its 14 schools being located within the city.

Secondary schools
Elementary schools
  • Eutimio Tim Salazar III "Fairview" Elementary
  • James H. Rodriguez "Española" Elementary
  • Tony E. Quintana "Sombrillo" Elementary
Kindergartens
  • Los Niños Kindergarten Center

Charter and tribal schools

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  • McCurdy Charter School K-12
  • La Tierra Montesori School of the Arts and Sciences
  • Carinos de los Ninos Charter School

There is a Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)-affiliated tribal elementary school,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Kha'p'o Community School, that has an Española address, though the school is actually in Santa Clara Pueblo.<ref>Template:Cite web - While the address says "Espanola", the school is in Santa Clara Pueblo (see US Census Bureau map for 2020)</ref>

Private schools

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College

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Library

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Española Public Library is located inside the Richard Lucero Center at 313 North Paseo De Oñate. Its collection is about 50,000 items.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Cultural references

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Española serves as the setting for the 2023 black comedy series The Curse, which among other themes explores gentrification of the area.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>

Notable People

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See also

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References

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Template:Rio Arriba County, New Mexico Template:Santa Fe County, New Mexico Template:New Mexico Template:Authority control