Mesilla, NM

Mesilla, New Mexico has been a tourist destination for decades. It's a little town just to the south of Las Cruces and has more history packed into 5+ square miles than many towns in the Southwest.

The most 'famous' part of Mesilla (which means Little Table in English) is the Plaza, which was designated as a State Monument in 1957. It's grandstand gazebo plays host to many fiestas including Cinco De Mayo and Diez y Seis De Septiembre. In December, the plaza is lit by hundreds of luminarios on Christmas Eve.

On the northern side of the Plaza is San Albino Roman Catholic Church - now known as the Basilica of San Albino. It is one of the oldest missions in the Mesilla Valley, established by order of the Mexican government in 1851. In 2008, the church was designated as a minor basilica by order of the Vatican.

To the west is the oldest brick builing in New Mexico, the Thunderbird de la Mesilla -

Billy the Kid - yes, that Kid - is also a part of Mesilla's history.

There really is so much more to Mesilla - El Patio Bar which has been continuously operated by the Fountain family since 1881, La Posta Restaurant, the Fountain Theater - and that's just on the Plaza! Stepping away from the center of town reveals even more history in the homes and other buildings that have stood for decades.

It's a definite destination for visitors and those of us who have lived in the area for many years.

I've raved and raved about our wonderful chile and mexican food. Now I need to tell you about the perfect way to finish off a delicious local meal - goodies from Stahmann's Farms! They've been around for almost 80 years.

This video features a quick look at the farm and then begins to explain the harvesting process. It's really quite interesting!

I could, quite honestly, do my impersonation of Forrest Gump's friend Bubba and tell you just what you can find at their country store - pecan shortbread cookies, pecan pie, pecan chocolate chip pie, pecan brittle, pecan crunch...you get the idea. My favorite are probably the chile dusted pecans and the Zias...and the pecan coffee.

I've ordered from them many times for holidays and to give former Las Cruceans a taste of home. There really isn't anything like Stahmann's Farms. They are a wonderful community supporter as well.

When you visit Las Cruces, make sure you plan a trip down to Stahmann's country store in La Mesa. It's a beautiful drive down old Highway 28 - especially when you drive through the pecan orchards. You can also find them on the Plaza in Mesilla, across the street from the historical La Posta Restaurant.

Adobe. Building material, stuff of much mystery, supposition and wonder. Mention the word "adobe" and the first thought that comes to mind for most people is "southwest."

Adobe is an ancient building material - long prized for its simplicity, insulation value and strength. When people come to New Mexico and Arizona for the first time, they usually want to see a home built out of adobe...and there are many.

What few people get to see is what the actual adobe bricks look like, how they are stored, etcetera - unless they are having a home built out of the wondrous sun-baked mud. On a stroll through Old Mesilla, just outside of Las Cruces, New Mexico, I saw a golden opportunity to show a little adobe to my readers.

Just to the south of Mesilla Plaza there is a building that is being restored, and the adobe being used is made on the spot, left to cure then stacked until use. Notice the buttresses helping support the outside walls?

Hope you enjoy the photos!