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Mesilla is a small town in southern New Mexico. It has a colorful history and sits just south of the city of Las Cruces.
History of Mesilla
The history of Mesilla begins in 1848 with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which placed much of present-day New Mexico in the United States. A group of citizens unhappy about the change moved south of the border and founded Mesilla.
By 1851, the town was under constant threat of Apache raids. The US responded by establishing Fort Fillmore in September of that year. This resulted in both the US and Mexico claiming the land around Mesilla as their own. The Gadsden Purchase of 1853 settled the land dispute, and Mesilla officially became part of the United States on June 8, 1854.
Two Civil War battles were fought in the town. The First Battle of Mesilla was fought on July 25, 1861, resulting in a Confederate victory and the establishment of Confederate Arizona. From 1861 to 1862, Mesilla served as its capital. The Second Battle of Mesilla was fought on July 1, 1862, resulting in a Union victory and the withdrawal of Confederate troops three days later.
During the Wild West period, Mesilla sat at the crossroads of two important stagecoach lines and was the most important town of the region. It was famous for its cantinas and fiestas. Billy the Kid (1859-1881), Pat Garrett (1850-1908), and Pancho Villa (1878-1923) all passed through.
In 1881, the town was chosen as a stop on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The citizens asked too much money for the land rights, and much smaller Las Cruces was chosen as a replacement. Since then, Las Cruces has grown to become the second largest city in New Mexico while Mesilla has stayed the same size.
Mesilla Plaza
Mesilla Plaza is the heart of Mesilla. A few historical events have taken place there, and it’s surrounded by some important historic buildings.
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 band shell that 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.
Double Eagle Restaurant
Continuing around Mesilla Plaza in a clockwise direction, the Double Eagle Restaurant and Peppers are interesting places to stop into. The building is a historic home built in 1849. It’s filled with art, furnishings, and antiques dating back to the late 19th century.
Don’t forget to check out the impressive Imperial Bar, which is a 30-foot hand-carved oak and walnut bar. It’s framed with four Corinthian columns in gold leaf and features 23 lighted brass flowers and 2 imperial French floral Corones. Above are two French Baccarat chandeliers measuring 7 x 3 feet. The ceiling is made of pressed tin, and the Louis XV-style mirror is hand-carved of walnut. There are also museum-quality early 20th century paintings.
The Billy The Kid Patio contains a seven-foot carved stone fountain surrounded by cycad palms. The red brick floor was installed in the late 1850’s. Billy the Kid carved his nickname and girlfriend’s name, Maria Gonzales, into a post brought from the Gonzales home in Lincoln County. You’ll also find a framed letter from Billy to Territorial Governor Lew Wallace (1827-1905).
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 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 a Butterfield Overland Mail stop and later the Corn Exchange Hotel. In 1939 it became La Posta, a Mexican restaurant that’s still run by relatives of its founder, Katy Griggs.
Oldest Brick Building in New Mexico
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 the adjoining apartment in 1866 . 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.
Gadsden Museum
The Gadsden Museum is a privately owned museum with an eclectic collection of Wild West memorabilia and Native American art. There are also items related to the Civil War and the town’s history. Among the most interesting items are the original jail cell doors that held Billy the Kid during his murder trail in Mesilla. Contrary to its name, there’s not much related to the Gadsden Purchase.
The Gadsden Museum belongs to a descendant of one of the founding families of Mesilla who have lived in the town for generations. The curator is an enthusiastic person who knew the story behind every item. We really enjoyed our visit. The museum is open by appointment only Wednesday through Saturday (as of May 2025). There’s no admission but donations are recommended.
Ristramnn Chile Co.
We made a quick stop at Ristramnn Chile Co. It’s a working chile farm that grows and dries chiles. They sell bulk chiles, ristras (decorative chile arrangements), and other items.
Before leaving Mesilla, we drove by a chile farm on the north side of town and stopped to take a quick look.
Where to Eat in Mesilla
There are a few decent choices for food in town.
Andele’s Dog House
We had a delicious lunch at Andele’s Dog House. This dog-friendly restaurant serves up a good selection of Mexican specialties, salads, steaks, burgers, and of course, hot dogs. They also have a big breakfast menu.
