Friday, May 08, 2009

From Santa Fe to Las Vegas - again?

Leaving Santa Fe on I-25 to North, we have seen interesting mountain formations


...and also flat landscapes - again!


And then this! Viva Las Vegas - again? :)
Of course, we had to go into this town to see if anything is like the real LV in the West


The famous Plaza Hotel at the Town Square


The main street - or better known in the real other town as "The Strip"


And these houses and Motels I know for sure, they are not familiar with Las Vegas in the West at all. But it was a nice "detour" for us and I have found some interesting articles for you in the net about this also pretty Las Vegas in New Mexico.
Click the link, visit their website and read more about this little town on I-25.

Las Vegas
was established in 1835 after a group of settlers received a land grant from the Mexican government. The town was laid out in the traditional Spanish Colonial style, with a central plaza surrounded by buildings which could serve as fortifications in case of attack. Las Vegas soon prospered as a stop on the Santa Fe Trail. During the Mexican-American War in 1846, Stephen W. Kearny delivered an address at the Plaza of Las Vegas claiming New Mexico for the United States.

When the railroad arrived in 1880 it set up shop one mile east of the Plaza, creating a separate, rival New Town (as in Albuquerque). During the railroad era Las Vegas boomed, quickly becoming one of the largest cities in the American southwest. Turn-of-the-century Las Vegas featured all the modern amenities, including an electric street railway, the "Duncan Opera House" at the NE corner of 6th Street and Douglas Avenue, a Carnegie library, a major Harvey House hotel, and the New Mexico Normal School (now NMHU). Since the decline of the railroad began in the 1950s the city's population has remained relatively constant. Although the two towns have been combined, two separate school districts remain.


Hi my friends,

there will be more posts about the way from Santa Fe to the place where we are still today. Stay tuned with me - and thanks for the comments!

Susanne and David

6 comments:

Bob Johnson said...

Love your shots and info Susanne, you take such colorful images, like the first shot of the landscape and mountain.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Bob-- always great shots and info. Have you kept track of how many pics you've taken since you started on this trip? Keep 'em coming!

Unknown said...

Did you make a sidetrip to Don Imus's Ranch while you were in Las Vegas, NM? His ranch serves as a summer get-away for children with severe health problems.

If you are not familiar with him, he is a somewhat infamous radio talk show host who started out as regular radio DJ years ago. My wife and I grew to really enjoy listening to his morning show, but it is no longer broadcasted in this area.

The Retired One said...

Loved the contrast of the building to the yellow budding tree!

kRiZcPEc said...

wow, just wow. Great weather, guess the historic old town plaza must be a photogenic spot. :)
PS; the system generated verification word was: Login. :)

Anonymous said...

are u like travelling around america?

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