The history of Santa Fe is multidimensional and encompasses the three cultures of the Mexican, Spanish, and Native American.
The interesting and unique part of these histories is that they all exist simultaneously today in the visible Santa Fe.
A day or two of walking in the downtown area will allow you to see some of the highlights of these histories.
Plaza Area and West of it
First we have the Plaza which was established in 1610 and then as it is today is the heart and soul of the city.
The Palace of the Governors is where you will find the oldest public building in the U.S.
This structure too originates in 1610. In this structure you will find a sampling of history in exhibits, demonstrations, art and various events.
Museum of Fine Arts is in this area too where you will find the pueblo revival style. This was built in 1917 and inspired to preserve Santa Fe’s unique architecture. Burro Alley is a quaint street which was lined with saloons and gambling parlors in the late 1800s.It was named for the burros that carried firewood to be sold there.
The Federal Courthouse which was recently restored in Greek revival can be seen in this area.
East of the Plaza
East Palace Avenue shares a long portal and looks like a single structure, but these adobe buildings were once private haciendas. St Francis Cathedral is very different than the rest of the architecture in Santa Fe because it was built by the Archbishop Jean Baptiste Lamy who wanted a Romanesque structure to remind him of his French home.
In this cathedral is the 375 year old statue of the Virgin known as the city’s patroness.
The return of this statue is celebrated in the oldest continually celebrated festival in the U.S. -Fiesta. Cathedral Park is next to the cathedral and celebrates the first European settlers. Cross of the Martyrs is where you can see plaques celebrating the history of Santa Fe. Here is also a great view of the city.
Old Santa Fe Trail
La Fonda is a legendary hotel built in 1922 on the site of earlier hotels at the end of the Santa Fe Trail. Loretto Chapel is where the: miraculous staircase” is that draws many visitors a year to this spot built in 1878. The Oldest House is a part of Santa Fe folklore with no real definite proof of age. San Miguel Mission Church is one of the country’s oldest churches and houses beautiful examples of Hispanic Art. Barrio De Analco was settled in 1610 and one of America’s oldest neighborhoods. State Capitol is the currently used place of state business that was built in the shape of the state symbol the Zia sun. This building also has an extensive art collection
Canyon Road
This historic road has many historic buildings that now have art galleries, restaurants, and shops. El Zaguan was a family home on Canyon Road which displays 19th century Santa Fe architecture with a beautiful Victorian garden. Cristo Rey Church was built by parishioners and contains an altar screen made of stone from one of Santa Fe’s earlier churches. Randall Davey House is now part of the Audubon center has colorfully painted murals, and includes hiking trails and a nature preserve.
Guadalupe Street/Historic Railroad District
Sancturario de Guadalupe dates back to the 1700s and is the oldest shrine to the Virgin in the U.S. Barrio de Guadalupe was once an area of small Spanish farms and later the commercial hub during the railroad heyday. Historic railroad which will soon be a park is the home of the historic Santa Fe Southern Railroad and Farmer’s Market.
These areas can be found and explained in more detail on any of the walking tours of Santa Fe. But if you want to walk yourself and take your time maps of these areas are also available thru the Chamber of Commerce.
Enjoy the many faces of history in Santa Fe.
Eileen Richardson 
