Summer 2012
Published in Las Vegas, NM by the
Las Vegas Citizens’ Committee for
Historic Preservation
PO Box 728 / 116 Bridge Street
Las Vegas, NM 87701
Phone 505 425-8803
Fax 505 425-7202
E-Mail [email protected]
Website www.lasvegasnmcchp.com
Mission Statement
To preserve, protect and promote the
historic, cultural and architectural heritage of greater Las Vegas through education and advocacy, and to encourage
economic development through restoration and rehabilitation.
.
Nuestra Senora de los Dolores
is the first of a series of public
art projects planned for Las
Vegas. This image is the work
of Margarito Mondragon. See
story at right.
Preservation News
Vol. 27, Issue 2
Our Lady in the Park
M
argarito Mondragon, an
award-winning artist
who creates retablos
and bultos, recently took on an exciting
new challenge. He has claimed the large
trunk of a dying Chinese elm tree in
Plaza Park. With his artistic skill and
experience and his wood-carving tools
Mondragon has created a larger-thanlife image of Nuestra Senora de los
Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows). He credits radio personality, Joseph Baca, with
the idea and inspiration for the project
and Mayor Alfonso Ortiz for permission to carry out the project. Mondragon undertook the project without any
remuneration. He is proud to be able to
create the image of Our Lady as a gift to
the City of Las Vegas and its people.
In preparation for undertaking the
transformation of the tree trunk into an
image of Our Lady of Sorrows,
Mondragon created a small model carefully carved and painted in the traditional colors with pigments he made
himself from local materials. Then he
began work on the tree trunk. First he
carefully removed all the bark and then
used a chainsaw to remove unneeded
wood. Employing wood chisels of various sizes, he began to shape the figure.
Mondragon worked slowly and carefully—he has great respect for the symbolism and traditions associated with the
figures he creates. The entire project has
required about eight weeks of daily
work. Visitors to Mondragon’s work
site in the park have been fascinated as
day by day the detailed image has
Margarito Mondragon puts the finishing
touches on his carving, created as an
innovative arts in the parks project.
slowly emerged.
Margarito Mondragon was born in
Ocate but his family moved to Las Vegas where he graduated from Robertson High School. Subsequently he
worked for the New Mexico Highway
Department as a heavy equipment operator. After retiring he began to teach
himself the art and craft of creating retablos and bultos. His grandfather and
great-grandfather had both been santeros. Mondragon grew up with a deep
familial respect for the traditional religious arts of northern New Mexico.
— Continued on page 2 —
Marie Frias Sauter Leaves Fort Union National Monument
M
arie Frias Sauter will
ship. The two organizations jointly sponsor
leave her post as sua monthly lecture series, Glimpses of the
perintendent at Fort
Past. Under Marie’s leadership, CCHP and
Union National Monument in Authe National Park Service have collaboratgust to assume a position at White
ed in presenting workshops to explore
Sands National Monument in southways to enhance the effectiveness of local
ern New Mexico.
organizations and to foster regional ecoMarie came to Fort Union in 2006
nomic development. CCHP has benefitted
and for the past six years has enfrom Marie Sauter’s vision and leadership
hanced exhibits and programs at the
in fostering community involvement by
monument, expanded research about
Fort Union National Monument. We will
the soldiers who served at Fort Unfollow her lead and work toward greater
SUPERINTENDENT SAUTER
ion and improved the utility and aclevels of cooperation with Fort Union Nacess of the Fort’s library and archives.
tional Monument and the National Park
She has also emphasized interactions between the National Service. CCHP and the greater Las Vegas community will
Park Service and nearby local communities.
miss Marie, her leadership and involvement with us as she
As part of this initiative, Fort Union National Monugoes on to her new assignment. We wish her continued
ment and CCHP have developed a close working relation- success as she assumes her new position at White Sands.
Tibor Remenyik 1929-2012
Our Lady in the Park
Man about Town, Volunteer Extraordinaire
Continued from page 1—
He studied carefully and learned the symbolisms and meanings of the various elements of
figures. He also learned the art of preparing
dyes, pigments and varnishes in the old way
using locally available vegetable and mineral
materials.
Mondragon has been exhibiting his works at
the Santa Fe Spanish Market and at other venues
in New Mexico and nearby states for some fifteen years. He has won six prestigious awards at
the Santa Fe Market since 2001. Perhaps most
impressive was the 2006 award for best poster,
selected from among 300 competing artists to
symbolize and advertise the show that year.
Joseph Baca of KFUN-KLVF began to speak
about using the trunks of old, dying trees in our
city parks for artistic purposes on the radio several years ago. This inspired Margarito
Mondragon to undertake the first project. Baca
anticipates that other wood-carvers will follow
Mondragon’s example and that in time each of
the city parks will gain several attractive art
works. Baca’s dream is that carving of the trees
will be phase one of a long-term beautification of
all our parks and that the project will be strongly
supported by the people of the community.
T
ibor Remenyik, 83, passed away
May 27, 2012 after a brief illness.
Born in Hungary to a prominent,
professional family and educated in
Switzerland as a result of World War II,
Tibor was the consummate, courteous
European gentleman. Trained as a geologist, he had an interesting and impressive
career in mining and mineralogy. He
came to Las Vegas in 1984 to teach at New
Mexico Highlands University.
Following his retirement, Tibor devoted most of his time
and attention to volunteer activities. He was long associated
with the Rough Rider Museum, the Fort Union National Monument Library and Archives and the Santa Fe Trail Association.
In addition, Tibor was appointed by a series of Las Vegas
mayors to various city boards and committees. For years, he
was a regular at Las Vegas City Council meetings. He cared
deeply about the Las Vegas community and made impressive
contributions to its many programs and activities.
Tibor and his wife, Janet, have been active supporters of
CCHP. Last year their impressive garden was on the CCHP
garden tour, both have served as docents at CCHP events and
they have been regulars at the Glimpses of the Past lecture series co-sponsored by CCHP and the Fort Union National Monument.
People and Places Past • Summer 2012 • LVCCHP Page 2
PLACES WITH A PAST CELEBRATES ITS 23RD YEAR
T
wenty-three years ago, the Citizens’ Committee for Historic
Preservation organized its First Public Historic House Tour.
Six venues were on the tour, including the Vicente Silva House on
Moreno, the Benigno Romero House on Hot Springs, the J. E. Hurley House on
Sixth Street and the Stoneroad-Jones House on Fifth Street. CCHP is proud to
continue this tradition and offer the opportunity to everyone to visit a sample
from the over 900 historic homes and buildings in Las Vegas. Now called Places
With a Past, residents and visitors can tour homes on both sides of the river.
Docents will be at all locations as guides and will talk about the unique features of
each.
Plan to explore historic Las Vegas at your own pace. The tour takes place on
Saturday, August 4, 2012, from 10 am to 4 pm. Tickets are $20 each and can
be purchased at CCHP, 116 Bridge Street, or at the Plaza Hotel; they are available
ahead of time or on the day the event. For further information please call Amanda
Chavez at 505-425-8804. (See photos and location of properties on pages 4-5.)
AT A GLANCE
 What: Places with a Past
 Historic Home and Building Tour
 When: 10 am to 4 pm,
Saturday, August 4
 Where: Las Vegas Citizens’
Committee for Historic
 Preservation, 116 Bridge Street
 Information: Amanda
Chavez, 505-425-8803
 Tickets: $20 each
Heritage Week Schedule of Events
August 3 -11, 2012
Heritage Week celebrates the history and
culture of Las Vegas, N.M., Aug. 3 to 11.
Family fun throughout the week
creations in bronze. Paintings by Roak Saturday August 4, 2012
Griffen compliment the Leippe exhibit. Tri-County Farmer’s Market - 7am
Las Vegas Arts Council Gallery 140
until sellout, Sixth and University
Bridge St.
Fridays al Fresco 5-7 pm
Land as Legacy Artist Reception at Las
Friday’s in July & August Selected
Geocaching Historic Las Vegas – Six
Vegas Arts Council (Gallery 140)
bands provide music at the Old Town geocaches will be hidden throughout
2-4 pm. Admission: Free
Plaza. Provided by Las Vegas First
the city. Clues will be given through
IBA with help from various donors.
GPS or traditional search and find clues. Blessing of the Water - Traditional
Participants will collect tokens from
Northern New Mexico Acequia CereRiding the Rails Day Camp 2012. 3rd
the caches that can be exchanged for
mony Procession begins at 9 am at ImAnnual Literary Day camp sponsored prizes. Time(s): All day. Admission:
maculate Conception Parish and meetby Tome on the Range. Children ages Free. 505-426-3204
ing at the Gallinas River Bridge for
8-12. Railroad theme. Interactive camp.
Blessing of the Waters.
July 30 to August 3. Limited space.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Call for more information. 505-454Heritage Week Kick Off Extravaganza Places with a Past
9944
– New Mexico Territorial Brass Band Historic Homes and Buildings Tour.
will play in the Plaza. Time TBA.
Tour traditional Spanish adobes, VicThe Face of Las Vegas Exhibit feaCome enjoy the music with a picnic in torian turn of the century mansions
tures photographs by members of the the park. Bring your own or try one of and the Montezuma Castle on this selfMeadow City Camera Club. The
the local food vendors. Sponsored by guided tour. Informative guides at
theme The Face of Las Vegas features Friends of the Museum, The City Mu- each venue. 10 am – 4 pm Tickets $20
buildings and structures that are the
seum, and Las Vegas First Independat CCHP, 116 Bridge St and at the Plafirst things one sees when visiting Las ent Business Alliance
za Hotel. 505-425-8803
Vegas. Free Event held at CCHP, 116
Bridge Street. M-F 9-4 and Sat. 10-3
Cineflix in Ilfeld – free movie at Ilfeld Music of Northern New Mexico –
Auditorium, 7:30 pm Call 505-454-3238 Music themed Art Show. Reception
Land as Legacy Art Exhibit featuring
for title
with live Mariachi music. 2-4 pm, el
Nancy and Harry Leippe’s sculptural
— Schedule continues on Page 6 —
Places With A Past
519 Washington
1011 8th Street
524 Columbia
1811 New Mexico
People and Places Past • Summer 2012 • LVCCHP Page 4
Properties on the 2012 Tour
1312—1314 Chavez
Masonic Temple
Douglas at 6th Street
Montezuma Castle at the United World College
People and Places Past • Summer 2012 • LVCCHP Page 5
Heritage Week Schedule
Zocalo, 212 Plaza. Admission: Free
Sunday August 5, 2012
Santa Fe Trail Tour
Tour begins at 9am at CCHP, 116
Bridge Street. The bus will travel along
the Santa Fe Trail from Fort Union
through Watrous, Las Vegas and Tecolote and ending at San Miguel del Vado, where the Trail crossed the Pecos
River before going on to Santa Fe.
Tickets $40, included lunch. Reservations required. 505-425-8803
Monday, August 6, 2012
Dr. Walter Earl Pittman, Civil War historian will discuss the 1861 Confederate Invasion to the end of the war as
well as Indian campaigns, before and
after the Civil War. Slide presentation,
Q&A, reception and book signing of
New Mexico and the Civil War. 6 pm at
Tome on the Range, 158 Bridge Street.
Admission: Free
original script poking fun at Las Vegas
life, persons and politics on a fictional
morning radio talk show, Over the
Edge. Show 7:30 pm Location: TBD
Tickets $10. 505-454-9707
Friday, August 10
Traditional Spanish Pioneer Dinner –
Pioneer Dinner includes: Traditional
Buffalo Stew with Green Chile & Barley, Calabacitas & Corn, Pinto Beans
with Chicos, Red Chile with Pork, Tortillas and fresh Homemade Apple Pie.
5-7 pm. Admission $10. Immaculate
Conception Catholic Center
Walking and Bus Tour of Main
Street. Old and New Las Vegas with
lunch at the Masonic Temple. 9 am to
1 pm Tickets $20. Sponsored by MainStreet Las Vegas
Second Saturday Art Walk
1-6 pm Wine tasting, gallery openings
and merchants’ special sales.
Reception - Meadow City Camera
Club Exhibit CCHP, 116 Bridge Street
1-3 pm.
Tri-County Farmer’s Market- 7 am
until sell-out, Sixth and University
San Miguel/Mora County Fair Livestock and Art Exhibits North Hot
Springs Blvd.
Music of Northern New Mexico –
Music Themed Art Show. Artist reception with live Mariachi music. 2-4 pm
el Zocalo Cooperative Art Gallery, 212
Plaza. Admission: Free
Candlelight Tours – Fort Union National
Monument. Step under the stars and back
into history to witness historical based skits
which tell the role Fort Union played 150
years ago in defense and protection of New
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Cineflix in Ilfeld – free movie at Ilfeld Mexico during the Civil War. Reservations
Friends of the Museum and Plaza
Hotel: Dinner and Statehood Program Auditorium, 7:30 pm Call 505-454-3238 required. Time: 7 pm Admission: Free
with panel of scholars. Perspectives on for title
Nat Gold Players: Over the Edge V.
the Road to New Mexico Statehood.
Now in its fifth year, Over the Edge, is a
The panel is composed of four present- Fridays al Fresco 5-7pm
spoof on life in Las Vegas, New MexiFriday’s in July & August Selected
ers and a moderator. Each panelist
co. Writers Anne Bradford and Cynbands
provide
music
at
the
Old
Town
will make a 10 minute presentation on
thia Riley original script poking fun at
Plaza.
Provided
by
Las
Vegas
First
social and cultural issues leading to
Las Vegas life, persons and politics on
IBA with help from various donors
New Mexico Statehood from the pera fictional morning radio talk show,
spective of political science, history,
Over the Edge. Show 7:30pm Location:
Nat Gold Players: Over the Edge V.
anthropological linguistics and archiTBD Tickets $10. 505-454-9707
Now
in
its
fifth
year,
Over
the
Edge
is
a
tectural history. After a brief time for
spoof
on
life
in
Las
Vegas,
New
Mexidialogue between panel members the
Sunday, August 12, 2012
audience is invited to participate with co. Writers Anne Bradford and Cynthia Riley original script poking fun at Nat Gold Players: Over the Edge V.
questions and comments.
Las Vegas life, persons and politics on Now in its fifth year, Over the Edge, is a
spoof on life in Las Vegas, New Mexia fictional morning radio talk show,
Thursday, August 9, 2012
co. Writers Anne Bradford and CynOver
the
Edge.
Show
7:30
pm
Location:
San Miguel/Mora County Fair Livethia Riley original script poking fun at
TBD Tickets $10. 505-454-9707
stock and Art Exhibits, North Hot
Las Vegas life, persons and politics on
Springs Blvd.
a fictional morning radio talk show,
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Over the Edge. Show 7:30pm Location:
People’s
Faire
–
A
day
of
arts
and
Nat Gold Players: Over the Edge V.
TBD Tickets $10. 505-454-970
Now in its fifth year, Over the Edge is a crafts, music food and entertainment.
spoof on life in Las Vegas, N.M. Writ- Carnegie Library Park. Free Event.
Times 10 am—5 pm
ers Anne Bradford and Cynthia Riley
San Miguel/Mora County Fair Livestock and Art Exhibits, North Hot
Springs Blvd.
People and Places Past • Summer 2012 • LVCCHP Page 6
T
Annual Garden Tour, July 21
he CCHP Garden Tour will be held on July 21. In addi- lished clients. She often is a vendor at The Farmers’ Market and other
tion to the tour of selected gardens, there will be talks on venues. The vegetables are raised organically for her own use.
gardening in a dry climate and a lunch. Tickets ($10) are
Tom Trigg, 2910 8th Street—Tom is a creative gardener with
available at CCHP.
lots of innovative ideas. He harvests native plants from fields for his
garden, uses a unique composting system, and has an established
Gardens on tour include:
drip system. The garden has a diverse mixture of cacti, native
Yvette Arellanes and Lawrence Quintana, 322 Valencia—A
plants, perennials, ground cover, shrubs, and trees. In addition
xeric garden tucked behind walls and home. Yvette and Lawrence there is an area designed for vegetables.
have cacti, native plants, blooming flowers, herbs and vegetables.
Amber Maclean and Kerry Loewen, 1228 8th Street—Amber
Rocks, raised beds and a variety of wood mulches are used to create and Kerry are continuing the development of the property they
interesting visual effects as well as conserve water in the soil. It’s a purchased last year. It’s a work in progress with drought resistant
haven for birds, butterflies and people. The garden reflects their
plants and trees. They use some stone, but mostly wood mulches
commitment to gardening.
around plants. Since purchasing the house they have established a
Pocket Park, Juncture of South Gonzales and South Pacifcatchment drainage system from the clothing washer to the outic—The small triangle formed at the convergence of South Gonza- doors. Also, they have researched and are using eco friendly soaps
les and South Pacific, aka, The Santa Fe Trail, was the perfect space in this water that is being recycled.
for South Pacific Area Neighborhood Assoc. to build a
St. Paul’s Peace Church, 8th Street—It is a memorial meditadescansadero for pedestrians to stop and rest on their daily treks.
tion garden with a Labyrinth, Buckhorn tree, and flowing water
With the help of the town of Las Vegas, and New Mexico State Uni- pond. There is a large trellis with new honeysuckle vines beginning
versity, the community built La Abuelita in 1993. The large stone
their quest to cover the trellis in due time.
bancos are great for a moment of solitude or traffic watching.
First United Presbyterian Church, 1000 Douglas Ave Lia Obregon, 706 Mrytle—Ever contemplated revenue from
A Memorial garden with a Columbarium. The courtyard
your garden? Lia is a person who has accomplished that feat. She
maintains an herb and vegetable garden in front of her house using between two building is designed as a peaceful space
only rain and grey water with stone to retain water in the soil. The for reflection and remembering. It is a quiet place in which
herbs are used in soaps, creams and lotions which she sells to estab- to sit among flowers and shrubs with sky overhead.
Robert Ortiz, Las Vegas Native, Albuquerque Attorney, Bridge Street Investor
R
obert Ortiz, an Albuquerque
attorney, recently made a significant investment by purchasing
and rehabilitating two Bridge Street buildings.
“I have many fond memories of my
childhood in Las Vegas,” he said. “My
friends were my neighbors. Monetarily we
were poor, but we didn’t need money to
play baseball after school, or ride our bikes,
or fish the Gallinas. It seemed as though we
knew everyone, and everyone knew us. My
grandmother’s cooking was the best, and
she made us fresh tortillas everyday. I lived
near the Plaza, and it was at businesses on
or near the Plaza, like Guerin’s, where we
bought our meat and groceries. I remember
many haircuts at Sal’s Barbershop, and going to the Kiva Theatre on Sundays, where
50 cents bought you entrance to the movie, a
bag of popcorn, a Snickers and a Dr. Pepper.
School, including North Public, Our Lady of
Sorrows, West Las Vegas and Highlands
University, were also in close proximity to
the Plaza.
“I purchased the buildings located at 150
and 164 Bridge because they needed renovation, as many of the older buildings
around Las Vegas do. My faith and God’s
blessings have provided me with the resources required to undertake the needed
renovations.”
Major changes to the buildings included the removal of some interior sheetrocked walls (that were clearly not part of
the original structures) to re-create and utilize the openness of the buildings; repair
and installation of wood flooring in both
buildings; repair of the original interior
walls while preserving those that were
made of stone and other beautiful plasters;
updated the plumbing, heating and electrical; re-conditioned the facades of each
where needed; and the addition of handicapped ramps and other improvements to
assist the physically challenged.
Plans are to use both buildings to sell,
buy, trade and consign fine quality antiques.
Both buildings are ready for occupancy, and
are already filled with amazing antiques
and other fine collectibles. The planned
opening date for the antique stores is June
18.
The Las Vegas community is grateful to
Mr. Ortiz, a native son who, although no
longer living in the city, has chosen to invest
here and contribute to the improvement
and revitalization of the main street corridor
and the local economy. We wish him success in this venture.
Address Correction Requested
Postage Paid
Non-Profit Organization
Permit 147
Las Vegas, NM 87701
PO Box 728
116 Bridge Street
Las Vegas, NM 87701
This project was partially funded by the City of Las Vegas with Lodgers Tax funds and also with Certified Local Government Grant Funds under project #35-11-31938.16 by the Historic Preservation Division, State of New
Mexico, 407 Galisteo Street, Suite 236, Santa Fe, NM 87501. The activity that is the subject of this brochure has been financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior. This program received Federal financial assistance for identification and protection of historic
properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on
the basis of race, color, national origin, disability or age in its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further
information, please write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240
Casa De Cultura murals
praised by
Governor Martinez
For the past two years students from West Las Vegas and Robertson high schools have been working on a
mural project organized by Casa de Cultura led by Miguel Angel. The murals, The People’s History of El Norte
depict key events of the history of the Las Vegas area
and northern New Mexico. They were painted by the
students under the direction of Casa de Cultura member Rock Ulibarri and have been mounted of the old
Safeway parking lot and recently dedicated.
New Mexico Governor Susanna Martinez has taken
note of the project and has commended Casa de Cultura and project director Rock Ulibarri and the students,
indicating that their dedication and hard work should
serve as an inspiration to communities throughout our
great state. In seconding the Governor’s comments, Secretary of Cultural Affairs, Veronica Gonzales stated:
“With this mural, Case de Cultura has actualized its
mission to foster cohesion among diverse ethnic and
social groups.”