Socorro, New
Mexico Tour Leader, Bob Spude June 8, 2023
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Tour leader, Bob Spude, welcomes the MHAers to Socorro and
provides the history of the Plaza area and its distinctive bandstand.The Plaza is offically called Kittrell Park.
A historical view from the plaza of Manzanaras Avenue which
runs eastward to the site of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad
depot.
The Abeytia Block, opposite the northeast corner of the plaza,
dates from 1880.It
originally housed a drugstore and the Masonic Lodge. Remodelling in the
1930s covered the original brick.It now houses the Chamber of Commerce.
Opposite the southeast corner of the plaza, the Capitol
Bar still serves food for the convenience of its drinking guests.The front dates from the mining boom.It just mayhave been the
chosen lunch spot for some MHAers after the tour.
Leaving the Plaza and heading north, the first stop is the
Elfego Baca Heritage Park.
Spude orients the group to the park, its surrounding
buildings, and the saga of Elfego Baca.
The tile plaque relates the story of the lengthy 1884 shootout
between Baca and a rowdy mob of 80 Texas cowboys.Sheriff Baca prevailed.His colorful history was made famous by the Disney TV series.
The bronze sculpture, the Wheel of History, captures 400
years of Socorro’s history.The
pueblo indians, Spanish colonials, miners, ranchers, railroads, and
modern scientists at NM Tech are represented in the design of the Wheel.
Opposite the east side of Elfego Baca Park is the Juan
Nepomuceno Garcia House, labled the “Baca House” over the doorway.Its thick adobe walls provided privacy and protection and
concealed an interior courtyard.
At the north end of Baca Park is the two-story Juan José
Baca House, ca1870. It was both a
store and a residence.It has
been repurposed as a micro-brewery for a new clientele.
The MHAers then proceeded to the historic Church of San Miguel.
The original mission was built in the early 1600s and called
“Nuestra
Señora de Perpetuo Socorro” (Our Lady of Perpetual Help).
The church was rebuilt around 1816 and given its present name.
It was not possible to view the interior because a service was in
progress.
A model of the Church of San Miguel is on display in the Socorro
Visitors Center.
The scale model shows the interior layout of the church and
many details of its architecture and construction.
Photos Courtesy of Susan Canty, Pat and Mike Kaas, Cathy Spude
