Wicked History

In the lawless frontier of the late 19th century American West, legends were born of grizzled male outlaws and gunslingers who pulled off audacious stagecoach heists and train robberies. Names like Jesse James, Butch Cassidy, and Black Bart struck fear into the hearts of civilized folk. But amid this tapestry of notorious male bandits, there … Read morePistol-Packing Pearl: The Brazen Outlaw Queen of the Arizona Territory

Exuding power, his clothing a testimony to wealth, he strolled across the sun-drenched plaza with the confident gait of one born to the manor, prepared to conclude a most auspicious deal. The crisp, clean air of the February morning added to the excitement Rafael Armijo felt as he anticipated the culmination of this deal. The … Read moreFrom Traders to Traitors

I recently was browsing through some history notes made by historian Emma Moya when I came across this. It appears the claims that the High Noon Restaurant was a brothel and gambling casino were incorrect. It is amazing what you can uncover when you really start digging around in the achieves.  

The focal point of community life since it was founded in 1706 by Governor Francisco Cuervo y Valdez. Centered around the plaza, Albuquerque’s Old Town encompasses about ten blocks of historic adobe buildings. On the north side of the plaza is the San Felipe de Neri Church, the oldest building in the city, which was … Read moreHistorical Photographs of Old Town Albuquerque

Corner of Central Ave. and 1st St. in Albuquerque, N.M., in 1927. This picture shows a car involved in a minor collision with one of the last street car runs in Albuquerque. Street cars, or trolleys, were discontinued on December 31st, 1927, and were replaced by busses. The auto in the accident is thought to … Read moreHistorical Photos of New Albuquerque

Although most people associated Valverde with the battlefield of the same name, it was also a town that once existed fifteen miles south of San Antonio, New Mexico. What makes it so interesting is that there is so little written about it. The spot where the town is located was once a crossing point on … Read moreThe Ghost Town of Valverde

The first time I heard of Lola Montez was from a song by the Danish rock band Volbeat. The song was released as the third single from the band’s fifth studio album Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies. The song is about the famous dancer and Countess of Landsfeld, Eliza Rosanna Gilbert, with the lyrics referencing … Read moreLola Montez, The Spider Woman

Several years ago I wrote a book called Wicked Albuquerque that covers the controversial past of the Duke City. In today’s blog, I am sharing some of the research that I did on the red light district in Old Town. Back in the roaring 80s, it was wilder than Tombstone or Dodge City. Click on … Read moreThe Red Light District in Old Town Albuquerque in the 1880s

Here is a rather interesting article that I found in the Albuquerque Journal (14 February, 1939). Santa Barbara cemetery has several ghost stories attached to it and I am always interested on how these stories began and evolved over time. While I can only speculate, this may be the origin of some of those tales.   … Read moreGrave robbing due to ghosts?

A famous bordello in Old Town was owned by a woman called Rumalda Griego. It was a simple three room building that had up to 3 beds per room. Often the ladies entertain their customers simultaneously in the same room. Madam Rumalda was hauled into court on numerous occasions, most often on charges of being … Read moreThe Red Light District in Old Town Albuquerque in the 1880s (Madam Rumalda Griego’s Brothel)

The old church at Isleta Pueblo houses the remains of Fray Juan Jose de Padilla, a Laguna Pueblo missionary who was stabbed to death by unidentified assailants in the mid-1700s and whose coffin is also believed to have burst from his burial, his corpse looking as fresh as the day he died. The mission church … Read moreThe rising grave of Padre Padilla at Isleta Pueblo

I found an old film reel in the National Achieves about a tour of New Mexico, its cities, historical sites and tourist attractions that was produced in the 1940’s. It is rather fascinating to see how it has changed over the years, the urban expansion and how its history was told back then.

The battle scene between Union and Confederate forces occurs in the famed Clint Eastwood western, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. The battle is intended to personify the Battle of Peralta and the New Mexico Campaign in general, though obviously exaggerated.  Though no specific year or date is stated in this movie, at least part … Read moreThe Civil War in New Mexico (The battle of Peralta)

Taos is mainly known for its art community, the Pueblo, skiing, and stunning scenery. But once, an evil man lived in Taos. He went by the name of Arthur Rocheford Manby.  Manby had read in British newspapers about rich resources and opportunities in the untamed Territory of New Mexico. But, once he arrived there, he … Read moreThis bizarre and long forgotten mystery in Taos is still unsolved

Today is the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Albuquerque riot. I find it interesting how some things never change. Here is the article from the New York times on that day describing what happened. Albuquerque had its first big riot this week. It started Sunday in a city park where hundreds of almost naked hippies … Read moreRiot at Roosevelt Park – 50 Year Anniversary