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The Shops of Old Mesilla, NM invite you to step back in time to one of the oldest and most unique settlements of southern New Mexico. Located
off I-10, it is nestled in the Mesilla Valley on the banks of the Rio Grande. Mesilla has been a part of the Kingdom
of Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederacy, and finally the United States of America. Mesilla has a rich
history filled with prehistoric cultures, Spanish explorers, Apache raids, the civil war, and the wild west. Pancho
Villa and Billy the Kid walked the streets. The famous trial of Billy the Kid was held here and the Democrats
and Republicans had a bloody showdown on the plaza. It was the Confederate capital of Arizona and New Mexico during
the Civil War. The Gadsden Purchase finally brought Mesilla into the United States. Many residents are direct descendants
of the original settlers. Today Mesilla is a part of living history. Great care has been given to preserve the
original adobe buildings and the beautiful plaza. People from all over the world stop to experience the history, art, architecture,
quaint shopping, and unique dinning that Mesilla has to offer.
Organ Mountains The majestic Organ Mountains rise out of the desert east of Mesilla. They resemble a giant
organ with organ pipes extending into the air. These sheer shafts of granite rise up more than 9,000 feet from the desert
floor. The highest elevation is the Organ Needle at 9,012 feet. They have been called the
stately guardians of the Mesilla Valley.
THE FLAG OF NEW MEXICO
is a unique flag with a red zia on a field of Spanish gold. The zia is the symbol of the sun that
shines over the state. The four sets of four bars are set at right angles to each other. The center two bars are longer
than the outside bars. The first bar represents the four winds or the four directions; north, south, east, and west.
The second bar represents the four stages of life; childhood, youth, adulthood, and the senior years. The third bar represents
the four parts of the day; morning, noon, evening, and night. The last bar represents the four seasons; spring, summer,
winter, and fall. The bars are joined by a circle of life which has no beginning and no end.
SHOP THE SHOPS OF OLD MESILLA, NEW MEXICO
Come and visit us in a quaint Southwestern town filled with history. If you can not come vist, feel secure in ordering on line with us. While we can not possibly exhibit everything that is carried in the shops, we have tried to pick out a few of the more popular items which each shop carries
EL
PLATERO, THE SILVERSMITH, INC. located at 2350 Calle Principal on the Plaza. 575-523-5561 elplatero@mesilla.com BILLY THE KID GIFT SHOP located at 2385 Calle Guadalupe on the Plaza. 575-523-5562 billythekid@mesilla.com WILLIAM BONNEY GALLERY Now closed. Call us at 575-523-5562 art@mesilla.com WILD WEST EXPRESS-O located on the Plaza next to Billy the Kid Gift Shop,575-523-5562 coffee@mesilla.com LA TIENDA now closed call us at 575-523-5562 latienda@mesilla.com
THE
TOWN OF MESILLA has always been one of the most colorful and
historical towns in southwestern New Mexico. Travelers have enjoyed this beautiful place for years. In early times
the Indian and Conquistadors used it as a camping place. It was an overnight stop in the days of the stagecoach.
The economy of Mesilla boomed until 1881 when the railroad wanted to go through Mesilla. The people decided not to allow
the "Iron Horse" to pass through their property. Instead the people of Las Cruces decided to let it come through
their town. At this point Las Cruces began to grow and Mesilla remained a small village. When this happened the
county seat was moved from Mesilla to Las Cruces. Today a variety of visitors from many places enjoy strolling through
this beautiful, peaceful town. Come visit and enjoy this quaint monument to the past. MESILLA WEATHER
THE HISTORIC OLD MESILLA PLAZA The Mesilla Plaza originally was given to the Mesilla Colony Grant
Board which owned it for many years. Now the plaza with its gazebo is registered as a national monument. As the center
of the community, it has witnessed many events. The strongly religious community of Mesilla revolves around San Albino,
the Catholic church on the plaza. It has witnessed the wild side of the town. Lawlessness and bloodshed went unchecked
in the early days. Many outlaws and rustlers walked the streets. Politics often caused bloodshed in those days.
In 1871, both Democrats and Republicans decided to parade on the plaza. As each had a band, it was called the bloody
"Battle of the Bands." This political fight left nine dead and many wounded. Today people of the town
enjoy concerts and fiestas on the plaza. Enjoy an ice cream , cold drink or a coffee from El Platero or Wild West Express-O
while you sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautiful Mesilla Plaza.
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 EVENTS IN MESILLA All Months Thursday and
Sunday Arts, crafts, and seasonal produce market Thursdays 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays 12-4 p.m. Feb.
14 (Saturday) (2nd Saturday ikn Feb.) For the Love of Art 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Plaza April 17-19 (Friday-Sunday) (3rd weekend
in April) Border Book Festival
12-5 p.m. Plaza & Community Center April
25 (Saturday) (last Saturday in April) British Car Show 9:00 a.m -1 p.m. Plaza April 26 (Sunday) Best
of America by Horseback Parade Time TBA through town & Plaza May 2-3 (Saturday-Sunday) (weekend closest to May 5) Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Saturday, noon-midnight
Sunday, noon-7 p.m. Plaza May 16 (Saturday) Ride of Silence 6:30 p.m. Plaza Summer (Date TBA) 50th
Anniversary of Mesilla's Reincorporation Time and Location TBA September 12-13 (Saturday-Sunday) Diez y Seis de Septiembre Fiesta
Parade Saturday, 11 a.m. Avenida de Mesilla Fiesta Saturday
noon-midnight Plaza
Sunday noon-7 p.m. Plaza Sept.
20- Nov. 1 (Sundays) Mariachi Sundays (free concerts) Sept. 20, Sept. 27, Oct.11, 18, 25, 4-6 p.m.
Nov. 1, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Plaza Oct. 3-4 (Saturday-Sunday) Mesilla Jazz Happening Saturday,
12-9 p.m. Plaza Sunday, 12-7 p.m. Plaza Oct. 10 (Saturday) Los Leones de Mesilla Car Show 10 a.m.-3 p,m. Plaza Oct. 31-Nov. 1(Saturday-Sunday) Dia de los Muertos Saturday and Sunday 12-7pm Plaza
Monday - Candlelight Procession 6 p.m. Nov. 11
(Tuesday) Veterans Day Ceremony
11 a.m. Parque de los Veteranos Nov. 14 (Saturday) "El Tratado de La Mesilla" Reenactment
2 p.m. Plaza Dec. 5 (Saturday) Tentative Date Candlelight Vigil of Remembrance and Hope 5:30 p.m. Plaza Dec.
11 (Friday) Lighting of the Christmas Tree and Late Shopping Music 6-6:30 Plaza Dec. 24 (Thursday) Luminarias and Music Music from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Plaza For additional information about any event, please email us at info@mesilla.com
COURTHOUSE WHERE BILLY THE KID WAS TRIED AND SENTENCED TO HANG Henry Mc Carty, alias Henry Antrium, alias William H. Bonney alias Billy the Kid, lived a very
short life , but made his place in history. Billy the Kid and many outlaws
contributed to the wild side of Mesilla. He was often seen in the bars or dances in town. In 1881 Billy the Kid
was tried in the building which is now the Billy the Kid gift shop on the southeast corner of the plaza. He was sentenced
to hang for the murder of Sheriff Brady. He was taken to Lincoln, New Mexico where on April 28th he escaped killing two deputies.
Finally on July 14th, Sheriff Pat Garrett shot him in the Fort Sumner ranch home of Billy's friend Pete Maxwell.
Be certain not to miss the Courthouse Building in Mesilla. People say he still haunts this historic building on the
southeast corner of the plaza. |
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