Last updated on .
Mesilla Plaza is the heart of the small town of Mesilla, New Mexico. A few historical events have taken place there, and it’s surrounded by some important historic buildings.
History
Mesilla Plaza was the site of an official flag raising ceremony on November 18, 1854, confirming US sovereignty over the area after the Gadsden Purchase. It was declared a National Historic Landmark District in 1961. The plaza contains a gazebo, which was rebuilt between October 2013 and May 2014.
Mesilla Plaza was the site of one of the bloodiest political riots in New Mexico history. On August 27, 1871, Democrats were holding a rally in the plaza for their candidate for territorial delegate to Congress, while the Republicans were holding a similar rally in a home nearby. The Republicans moved from the home to the plaza to disrupt the Democrats’ rally. Verbal confrontations broke out, then pushing and shoving followed by gunshots. Soldiers from nearby Fort Selden were called in to stop the violence. In the end, nine people were killed and around 50 were injured.
Basilica of San Albino
The most prominent building on the plaza is the Basilica of San Albino (Basílica de San Albino). The parish was founded by Mexican priest Ramón Ortiz (1814-1896) and the first church was built in 1852 of mud and logs.
After the Gadsden Purchase, the church came under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, and Bishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy (1814-1888) had another church constructed in a French style. In 1872, the church was transferred to the Apostolic Vicariate of Arizona under Bishop Jean-Baptiste Salpointe (1825-1898), who commissioned the first bell tower in 1876.
The current church was constructed between 1906 and 1908. It was transferred to the Roman Catholic Diocese of El Paso in 1916 and later the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces in 1982. Unfortunately, it was closed when we passed by.
Double Eagle Restaurant
Continuing around Mesilla Plaza in a clockwise direction, the Double Eagle Restaurant and Peppers are interesting places to stop into. It’s housed in a historic home built in 1849 and is filled with art, furnishings, and antiques dating back to the late 19th century. The restaurants contain several historical rooms decorated with these items.
Doña Ana County Courthouse
On the southeast corner is the former Doña Ana County Courthouse and Jail. It was originally built in 1850 and contained a store. It’s also believed the building house the capital of Confederate Arizona during the Civil War, and may have been one of the locations where the Gadsden Purchase was negotiated.
After the Civil War, the building was converted into the Doña Ana County Courthouse and Jail and served as such until 1882. Notorious outlaw Billy the Kid (1859-1881) was tried there on April 13, 1881, and sentenced to hang. He was taken to the courthouse in Lincoln where he later escaped. In 1905, the building was purchased by Florencio C. Lopez and used as a billiard hall and bar until 1913. It now houses the Billy the Kid Gift Shop.
La Posta
Across the street is a historic adobe building that once housed the Butterfield Stagecoach Stop and later the Corn Exchange Hotel. In 1939 it became La Posta, a Mexican restaurant, and is still run by relatives of its founder, Katy Griggs.
Brick Building
Finally, on the southwest corner of Mesilla Plaza is the oldest documented brick building in New Mexico. It was built in 1860 by Augustin Maurin, originally from France, who used burned bricks from his own kiln. He was later murdered by robbers in 1866 in the adjoining apartment. Maurin’s heir, Cesar Maurin, came from France to claim the property and later died of natural causes in 1868. Another Frenchman, Pedro Duhalde, moved in and was also murdered by robbers. Since then, the building has been used as a general store, residence, saloon, and town hall. Today, it houses a gift shop, Thunderbird de la Mesilla.
