Are you ready to journey back in time to the thrilling days of the American West? Discover the captivating history of Mesilla, New Mexico, in this riveting book, now in its second printing: A Place as Wild as the West Ever Was - Mesilla, New Mexico: 1848-1872. Mesilla, a small town in southern New Mexico, thirty-five miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, is a treasure trove of stories, grit, and resilience. Founded in 1849 by mestizo settlers from below El Paso del Norte (now Ciudad Juarez, Mexico) and from the village of Dona Ana, Mesilla's inception was marked by a quest for better lands and a struggle against the unforgiving forces of nature. From the very beginning, life in Mesilla was fraught with peril. Drought and political strife tested the mettle of its inhabitants. Early attacks by the Apache Indians, whose lands the settlers had encroached upon, were met with relentless retaliation by the Mesilla Guard. This small town also played a significant role in the Civil War, witnessing clashes between Confederate and Union soldiers on its outskirts and serving briefly as the capital of the Arizona Territory of the Confederacy. By the close of the 1860s, Mesilla boasted more than 2500 residents, making it the largest town between San Antonio, Texas, and Los Angeles, California. It was the hub of transportation for the region, with the Chihuahua Trail running north to Santa Fe and south to Ciudad Chihuahua, Mexico; and east from St. Louis and west to Los Angeles. Ultimately connecting with global transportation networks on the east and west coasts of the United States and beyond. The fabled Butterfield Trail had a major stop in Mesilla with a stage office and amenities in town such as hotels, restaurants and entertainment that were considered the best in the region. The book highlights heroes who figured prominently in the history of Mesilla, like Father Ramon Ortiz, the commissioner of lands who protected the rights of the poor and disenfranchised out of El Paso del Norte; and Giovanni Maria de Agostini (The Hermit) who was legendary for his healing powers and international travels, most of which were by foot. This book meticulously captures the essence of Mesilla during its most tumultuous and fascinating years. The author, Mary Daniels Taylor (1922-2007), became a leading authority on the history of southern New Mexico through knowledge gained while researching primary documents from various archives. She always had musty documents, big thick English and Spanish dictionaries, and piles of maps piled around her. She learned how to decipher Spanish colonial and Mexican era Spanish from the original archives. Taylor's perspective on the history of southern New Mexico is unique because much of it is derived from her research of Mexican primary documents. Through this research, she unearthed previously unknown information on the Mesilla Valley, the El Paso area, and northern New Mexico. Mary Taylor was the happiest when she was out kicking the dirt with camera in hand, looking for old stage stops, military encampments, and parajes (camping spots) along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. She loved nothing more than to hop in the car with her husband and seven children, and bounce along dusty roads in search of historic places she had read about while doing research. Her many awards through the years for her work in history and photography, honor her tremendous contributions to understanding the lives of people who built and lived within the adobe walls of Mesilla.
This book is not just a recounting of historical events; it is a vivid portrait of the people, the struggles, and the triumphs that defined Mesilla. Whether you're a history buff, a lover of the Wild West, or simply in search of a compelling narrative, A Place as Wild as the West Ever Was - Mesilla, New Mexico: 1848-1872 will transport you to an era where the spirit of adventure and the fight for survival were paramount.
