Southern New Mexico Travel and Tourism Information: Activities, Attractions, History, and Culture - http://www.southernnewmexico.com
Las Cruces and La Mesilla-old Spanish charm
http://www.southernnewmexico.com/articles/162/1/Las-Cruces-and-La-Mesilla-old-Spanish-charm/Page1.html
Carla DeMarco
Carla DeMarco is the founder of http://SouthernNewMexico.com.  With the help of former assiociate publisher Cindi Winkly, editor Eileen Banks, and the Writers Showcase writers, she published articles about southern New Mexico for four years. In late 2001 she sold http://SouthernNewMexico.com to Erinn and David Burch. 
By Carla DeMarco
Published on 12/29/2002
 
Tucked into the southern Rio Grande Valley, with the jagged Organ Mountains rising to the east, Las Cruces is the second largest city in New Mexico, the seat of Doña Ana County, and home to the nation's only Chile Institute. This clean, modern metropolis with a population of 72,000 bears many architectural reminders of its rich Spanish heritage.
Las Cruces and La Mesilla-old Spanish charm

Las Cruces, NM. Photo courtesy Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau
Las Cruces, NM. Photo courtesy Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau
Tucked into the southern Rio Grande Valley, with the jagged Organ Mountains rising to the east, Las Cruces is the second largest city in New Mexico, the seat of Doña Ana County, and home to the nation's only Chile Institute. This clean, modern metropolis with a population of 72,000 bears many architectural reminders of its rich Spanish heritage.

Las Cruces first saw Spanish explorers around 1535. Four hundred years ago, members of the Juan de Oñate expedition refreshed themselves in its verdant valleys before embarking on a shortcut to northern New Mexico so treacherous it became known as the Journey of Death, or Jornada del Muerto. The name Las Cruces means "The Crosses" and refers to the graves of travelers who met with the wrath of Apaches.

The westward frontier expansion from 1850 - 1875 wrought destruction on Native Americans living in the new outposts of civilization. As Apache tribes diminished and the railroad was constructed, Las Cruces' population began to flourish.

Today's Las Cruces is a bustling center of education, culture and trade. New Mexico State University boasts one of the nation's largest campuses and planetary observatories. The Doña Ana Community College, Troy State University, and International Business College are located in the greater Las Cruces area.

The New Mexico State University Museum, Las Cruces Museum of Natural History and Gadsden Museum offer fascinating exhibits. NMSU hosts concerts, symphonies, theater and art exhibits. Las Cruces is home to the Chamber Ballet, Rite Combination Dance Company, Doña Ana Repertory Theater, Branigan Cultural Center, and many fine galleries. Seven convention facilities and 31 hotels offer business travelers facilities to meet every need

In the town of La Mesilla, historic Old Mesilla with its narrow streets, charming town square and plaza, and double-spired San Albino Church, provides a relaxing and singular shopping and dining experience. Southwestern art, ethnic clothing, jewelry, books, freshly made chocolates, and a myriad of hand-crafted items beckon from shop windows. Restaurants offer a variety of fine foods. The Gadsden Museum provides a look at the last century, and at the old haunted house, visitors hope to see a ghost. In the evening, local cantinas come alive with rock, blues and salsa. During the colorful fiestas of Cinco de Mayo and Diez y Seis de Septiembre, mariachis and ballet folklorico dancers perform on the plaza.

The Farmers' and Crafts' Market features artwork, Native American crafts and spicy southwestern foods. Landmarks, historic sites, golf courses and parks also await discovery.

At 3,900 feet, Las Cruces boasts a temperate climate and low annual rainfall that combine to offer year-round outdoor fun. Within short distances, visitors can venture to the White Sands National Monument, Picacho Peak, Aguirre Springs Recreation Area, Burn Lake, the Butterfield Trail loop tour, El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico.