Santa Fe’s site was originally occupied by a number of Pueblo Indian villages with founding dates from between 1050 to 1150. Most archaeologists agree that these sites were abandoned 200 years before the Spanish arrived. There is little evidence of their remains in Santa Fe today.

The “Kingdom of New Mexico” was first claimed for the Spanish Crown by the conquistador Don Francisco Vasques de Coronado in 1540, 67 years before the founding of Santa Fe. Coronado and his men also discovered the Grand Canyon and the Great Plains on their New Mexico expedition.

Don Juan de Onate became the first Governor-General of New Mexico and established his capital in 1598 at San Juan Pueblo, 25 miles north of Santa Fe. When Onate retired, Don Pedro de Peralta was appointed Governor-General in 1609. One year later, he had moved the capital to present day Santa Fe.

 

For a period of 70 years beginning the early 17th century, Spanish soldiers and officials, as well as Franciscan missionaries, sought to subjugate and convert the Pueblo Indians of the region. The indigenous population at the time was close to 100,000 people, who spoke nine basic languages and lived in an estimated 70 multi-storied adobe towns (pueblos), many of which exist today. In 1680, Pueblo Indians revolted against the estimated 2,500 Spanish colonists in New Mexico, killing 400 of them and driving the rest back into Mexico. The conquering Pueblos sacked Santa Fe and burned most of the buildings, except the Palace of the Governors. Pueblo Indians occupied Santa Fe until 1692, when Don Diego de Vargas reconquered the region and entered the capital city after a bloodless siege.

 

Santa Fe grew and prospered as a city. Spanish authorities and missionaries – under pressure from constant raids by nomadic Indians and often bloody wars with the Comanches, Apaches and Navajos-formed an alliance with Pueblo Indians and maintained a successful religious and civil policy of peaceful coexistence. The Spanish policy of closed empire also heavily influenced the lives of most Santa Feans during these years as trade was restricted to Americans, British and French.

 

When Mexico gained its independence from Spain, Santa Fe became the capital of the province of New Mexico. The Spanish policy of closed empire ended, and American trappers and traders moved into the region. William Becknell opened the l,000-mile-long Santa Fe Trail, leaving from Franklin, Missouri, with 21 men and a pack train of goods. In those days, aggressive Yankeetraders used Santa Fe’s Plaza as a stock corral. Americans found Santa Fe and New Mexico not as exotic as they’d thought. One traveler called the region the “Siberia of the Mexican Republic.”

For a brief period in 1837, northern New Mexico farmers rebelled against Mexican rule, killed the provincial governor in what has been called the Chimayó Rebellion (named after a village north of Santa Fe) and occupied the capital. The insurrectionists were soon defeated, however, and three years later, Santa Fe was peaceful enough to see the first planting of cottonwood trees around the Plaza.

 

On August 18, 1846, in the early period of the Mexican American War, an American army general, Stephen Watts Kearny, took Santa Fe and raised the American flag over the Plaza. Two years later, Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ceding New Mexico and California to the United States.

In 1851, Jean B. Lamy, arrived in Santa Fe. Eighteen years later, he began construction of the Saint Francis Cathedral. Archbishop Lamy is the model for the leading character in Willa Cather’s book, “Death Comes for the Archbishop.”

For a few days in March 1863, the Confederate flag of General Henry Sibley flew over Santa Fe, until he was defeated by Union troops. With the arrival of the telegraph in 1868 and the coming of the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe Railroad in 1880, Santa Fe and New Mexico underwent an economic revolution. Corruption in government, however, accompanied the growth, and President Rutherford B. Hayes appointed Lew Wallace as a territorial governor to “clean up New Mexico.” Wallace did such a good job that Billy the Kid threatened to come up to Santa Fe and kill him. Thankfully, Billy failed and Wallace went on to finish his novel, “Ben Hur,” while territorial Governor.

 

When New Mexico gained statehood in 1912, many people were drawn to Santa Fe’s dry climate as a cure for tuberculosis. The Museum of New Mexico had opened in 1909, and by 1917, its Museum of Fine Arts was built. The state museum’s emphasis on local history and native culture did much to reinforce Santa Fe’s image as an “exotic” city.

Throughout Santa Fe’s long and varied history of conquest and frontier violence, the town has also been the region’s seat of culture and civilization. Inhabitants have left a legacy of architecture and city planning that today makes Santa Fe the most significant historic city in the American West.

In 1926, the Old Santa Fe Association was established, in the words of its bylaws, “to preserve and maintain the ancient landmarks, historical structures and traditions of Old Santa Fe, to guide its growth and development in such a way as to sacrifice as little as possible of that unique charm born of age, tradition and environment, which are the priceless assets and heritage of Old Santa Fe. “

Today, Santa Fe is recognized as one of the most intriguing urban environments in the nation, due largely to the city’s preservation of historic buildings and a modern zoning code, passed in 1958, that mandates the city’s distinctive Spanish-Pueblo style of architecture, based on the adobe (mud and straw) and wood construction of the past. Also preserved are the traditions of the city’s rich cultural heritage which helps make Santa Fe one of the country’s most diverse and fascinating places to visit.

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The 10 Oldest State Capitals

The Old State house building in Boston, one of the oldest continuously serving capital city in the United States.

The five oldest settlements in North America are in Mexico; Tlapacoya (7,500 BCE), Tepoztlán (1,500 BCE), San José Mogote (1500 BCE), Chalcatzingo (1,500 BCE), and Calixtlahuaca (1,500 BCE). The Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is recorded as the earliest pre-Columbian Native American settlement. It was settled in the mid-first century. San Miguel de Gualdape was the first city to be settled by Europeans, however, it was abandoned after only three months. Most of the modern cities in the US were established between 1600 and 1900.

The 10 Oldest State Capitals

Santa Fe

Santa Fe, New Mexico is the oldest capital in the US. It was established in 1610 by the Spanish. Today, the city covers an area of 37.4 square miles. As at December 2017, the capital had a population of 85,053 up from 67,947 in 2010. It was part of Mexico until the state of Texas seceded to the US in 1836.

Boston

Boston, Massachusetts is the second oldest city in the country. It was established in 1630. It is the longest continuous serving capital in the US. Today, Boston covers an area of 89.63 square miles and has a population of 687,584.

Annapolis

Annapolis in Maryland is the third oldest capital in the country. It was established in 1649 and became the capital in 1694. Annapolis is the smallest capital in the country in terms of area. Today, the capital covers an area of 8.10 square miles and is home to 39,342 people as of January 2018.

Dover

The city of Dover in Delaware was established in 1683 and became the capital in 1777. It is the second largest city in the state. Today, Dover covers an area of 23.48 square miles. The city has a population of 38,414.

Richmond

Richmond, Virginia was established in 1737. In 1780, it became the capital of the Colony of Virginia. Richmond is an independent city. It is the seat of the Henrico County although it is not considered part of the county. As at January 2018, the capital had a population of 230,254.

Trenton

Trenton, New Jersey. It was founded in 1719 and became the capital in 1784. Trenton served as the capital of the US briefly between November 1 and December 24, 1784. The city covers an area of 8.155 square miles. As at January 2018, the capital’s population was estimated at 83,798 down from 84,913 in 2010.

Columbia

The capital of the South Carolina, Columbia is the second largest city in the state after Charleston. It became the state capital in 1786. Today Columbia covers an area of 134.9 square miles and has a population of 134,969.

Raleigh

The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh, became the state capital in 1792. It is the second largest city in the state after Charlotte. The city had a population of 476,746 as at January 2018.

Frankfort

Frankfort is the capital of Kentucky. It was established in 1786 before becoming the state capital in 1792. The capital covers an area of 14.6 square miles and has a population of 28,105.

Albany

Albany, New York is the tenth oldest capital in the United States. It has been the capital sine 1797. The city covers an area of 21.94 square miles and has a population of 98,000.

The Least Populated State Capital

Montpelier in Vermont is the least populous capital in the country with a population of 7,855. The city of Pierre in South Dakota ranks second with a population of 14,070. Augusta in Maine ranks third with a population of 18,500. Others include Frankfort in Kentucky (28,105), Juneau in Alaska (32,200), and Helena in Montana (32,285).

Victor Kiprop March 13 2018 in World Facts

How Washington became the capital of the United States

On December 1, 1800, the city of Washington became the capital of the United States of America. It was built specifically for this purpose, which was a compromise in the interests of other American cities of that time.

How the US capital was chosen

After the American Revolution, many states and cities began to claim that the US capital was on their territory. As a result, compromises had to be found. It was decided to build a new city halfway between the settlements of New England and the state of Georgia.

And on July 16, 1790, the US Congress decided to establish a city of 26 square kilometers on the Potomac River. The site was chosen by the first president, George Washington. The territory of the new capital was named the District of Columbia in honor of Christopher Columbus, and the city itself was named Washington in honor of the first US president.

How the capital was built

Pierre Lanfant, a military engineer and participant in the war of independence, took up the development of the plan for the new city. Lanfang dreamed of creating a series of architectural ensembles that would resemble the structures of ancient Rome and Versailles. The city was supposed to be a rectangular grid of streets, which would be complemented by diagonal avenues.

After Congress and major government offices were transferred to Washington from Philadelphia, the city became the capital on December 1, 1800. Since then, the city has often been rebuilt. The architecture of modern Washington has absorbed all styles, trends and eras.

What is in Washington

The residence of the President of the United States – the White House, Congress buildings, the Supreme Court and other federal institutions, as well as representative offices of major corporations, banks, law firms, headquarters of various organizations are located in Washington. Here are the National Academy of Sciences, the Botanical Garden, the Smithsonian Institution, five universities, more than a hundred museums.

Which US cities were capitals

But not always Washington was the capital of the USA. And other cities managed to visit this status.

Philadelphia was the very first capital of the United States. And in the entire history of the country, she managed to visit this status five times: in 1774, 1776, 1777, 1778-1783, 1790-1800. And, by the way, it was in this city that the US Declaration of Independence was adopted.

Baltimore was the capital for a very short time – from December 20, 1776 to February 27, 1777.

Lancaster was the capital for only one day – September 27, 1777, when the US government settled in the city, fleeing from the advance of the English army.

York was also the capital for a short time – from September 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778. However, it was from that time that the country began to be called the United States of America in official documents.

Managed to visit the capital and the city of Princeton – from June 30, 1783 to November 4, 1783, but now the city is better known for its prestigious university.

Annapolis was the capital from November 26, 1783 until August 19, 1784. It was at this time that the Peace of Paris was signed, ending the American War of Independence.

Trenton was the capital from November 1, 1784 to December 24, 1784 and could remain in this status permanently, but the southern states were against this decision.

And finally, New York is the largest city in the USA. This metropolis also managed to be the capital – from January 11, 1785 to August 12, 1790. And some people still sometimes mistakenly call it the capital.

New York State, USA – travel guide Planet of Hotels

Albany is the capital of the state of New York and lies on the right bank of the Hudson River. This is one of the oldest cities in the USA. Its appearance is a combination of modern architecture and ancient buildings. An unusual building of the concert hall – “Egg”, which resembles a flying saucer. The city hall building is a classic of the Victorian era. The university is an example of neo-gothic. The most famous building in the city is the majestic and ornate State Capitol. At one time it was the most expensive building among analogues.
Among the religious buildings it is necessary to note the old Dutch church (XVIII century), as well as the neo-Gothic churches of the Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph. Albany is home to one of the oldest museums in the United States – the Institute of History and Arts. And if a tourist is tired of sightseeing, he can relax in one of Albany’s many parks, the most famous of which are Tivoli, Washington and Lincoln.

New York. The largest city in the state, one of the three largest financial centers in the world. It is a city of skyscrapers and magnificent temples. A city of glass, concrete and picturesque parks. More than 50 million tourists visit it every year. Everything is famous here – streets, houses, museums, theaters, monuments. The Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park and Trinity Church, the Metropolitan Opera House and Carnegie Hall are attractions that everyone has heard of. Broadway is the longest street in the US with dozens of theaters along it. Fifth Avenue, with its chic shops, and amazing museums. Wall street with stock exchange. In New York, there are fifty buildings above 200 m. The most famous are the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Woolworth Building, the Rockefeller Center complex. The tallest is the new building of the World Trade Center, built on the site of the “twin towers” (417 m). The most unusual is the Flatiron Building – triangular in section. There are several museums in New York with the richest collections. The Metropolitan Museum of Art – 2 million exhibits – from ancient Egypt and Assyria to the classics of the Renaissance and the Impressionists. Museum of Modern Art – 150,000 items, including works by the most famous masters of the XIX-XXI centuries. The Guggenheim Museum is known not only for the originality of the building, but also for its grandiose exhibitions. And then there is the Whitney Museum and the Frick Gallery, the Brooklyn Museum and the amazing Natural History Museum. New York is the Babylon of modernity.

Buffalo (Buffalo) is the second largest city in the state. It is located near the Canadian border, on the shores of Lake Erie, not far from Niagara Falls. At one time, this city was the first in the United States, whose streets were illuminated by electric lights. The city will delight lovers of architecture. The Buffalo City Hall (City Hall) is one of the largest of its kind in the country. On the roof of the building there is an observation deck with a good view of the city. In front of the building, on Lafayette Square, there is a memorial to President William McKinley, who died in Buffalo at the hands of a terrorist. Of interest are the old buildings of the city hall, and the post office, and a very original building of the city court. Spread out in the northern part of the city, Delaware Park is one of the masterpieces of landscape design. It, among other things, houses an art museum and a small zoo. And just 25 km from Buffalo is Niagara Falls.

Rochester is a city on the shores of Lake Ontario. Since it houses several optical industries, it is called the “optical capital of the world”. Rochester is a modern city, and there are few architectural monuments in it. But it has several unique museums. For example, the George Eastman Museum of Photography and Photographic Equipment is very interesting. The Children’s Museum of Games, which, in fact, is an entertainment center, is also very popular. One problem is that if you enter the Museum of Games with a child, you will not leave it soon. And not far from the city you can find many wonderful places for hiking in nature – Rochester is simply surrounded and riddled with parks.

The city of Syracuse (Syracuse) is located on the shores of Lake Onondaga. The city got its name not by chance. In the 18th century, it, like the Greek Syracuse, was the center of salt production, since there are many salt sources in the area. The most important place in the city is Clinton Square, which houses beautiful buildings and a pretty fountain.