The 148-acre property known as “Rancho de Los Luceros” is located northeast of the town of Alcalde, New Mexico. It was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1983, and listed in the State Register of Cultural Properties in 1970. Rancho de Los Luceros was the home of Santiago Lucero in 1757, and was purchased by Mary Cabot Wheelwright in 1923.
The ranch house is said to have served for a time as the Rio Arriba County courthouse (and still has the jail alongside). Limited remodeling of the ranch house, jail, and guest house in the 1920’s was carried out by Mary Wheelright, an important Indian art collector and founder of the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe. In addition to being known as Ranchos de Los Luceros, the property was at one time called “Los Luceros Hacienda” and “Morning Star Ranch.” More recently it has been called “Milagro at Los Luceros” and is now simply referred to as “Los Luceros Historic Property”.
