There is a very interesting site just a few miles to the southwest of Santa Fe New Mexico which is not only historic but also offers a family the opportunity to get a good glimpse of what life was like in Nuevo Mexico during the time of Spanish occupation. To say that this is a unique historic site is an understatement.
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| Las Golondrinas Church |
El Rancho Las Golondrinas is a living history museum. This site dates back to the 1700's when the supply trail between Mexico City and Santa Fe was the lifeline of all trade and supply efforts. This was a century before the Santa Fe Trail came into existence connecting Santa Fe with the American trade from Missouri. Much of the goods that traveled over the Santa Fe Trail also made their south on the El Camino Real into Mexico. An interesting side note is that during the 1600's Santa Fe was the only incorporated town north of Chihuahua.
El Rancho Golondrinas, the Ranch of the Swallows, while being only about fifteen miles southwest of the Santa Fe plaza, was in the 1700's a full one day journey from Santa Fe. It was the first camp heading south out of Santa Fe and the last if you were heading north from Mexico. This was along the famous Camino Real. This was referred to as the public road and a vital one at that.
There is also a lot of evidence in this area that points to habitation many years before the Spanish Conquistadors journeyed north out of Mexico. Pueblos overlooked the valley where they planted beans, squash and corn. This was the valley along the Cienega stream.
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| Blacksmith Shop |
The Reestablishment of Rancho Las Golondrinas
As the years passed, roads that were built out of Santa Fe largely bypassed Las Golondrinas. As a result the settlement was largely abandoned and the structures were in disrepair. The last relatives of the original owners sold the property in 1932. The property was purchased by the Curtin family of Santa Fe and California.
El Rancho Golondrinas was saved by Leonora Curtin and her husband Y.A. Paloheimo. Paloheimo was a Finnish consul and he and his wife Leonora began making the ranch into a living history museum. Their efforts are what made Las Golondrinas what it is today. Structures were repaired when possible and others were erected on their original foundations. Historically accurate livestock was brought to the ranch.
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| Woven rugs and blankets |
The Defensive Tower
To be sure, the area around El Rancho Las Golondrinas could be a hostile one. One of the structures you'll notice near the entrance is the Defensive Tower. This was called in Spanish, El Torreon Defensivo. It was reportedly constructed from orders directly from the King of Spain. The tower was used for two important purposes.
A sentinel would watch the countryside from the upper level looking for any danger. The rancho could be approached at anytime by hostile Indians. As an alarm, the sentinel would either ring a bell or blow a horn if danger was spotted. This would alert the field workers who could then rush inside the rancho's protective walls. The Spanish also kept food and arms within the tower and could fire upon any attackers from the openings on the tower's upper level. The upper level was reached by a ladder built through the floor.
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| Vertical Loom |
Another interesting and very important item you'll view at El Rancho Las Golondrinas was the vertical loom. The 400 year old replica loom was constructed by museum volunteers. The vertical loom is designed primarily for large tapestries and rug. The vertical loom is also known as the High-Warp Loom.
The loom was needed to make clothing, rugs and blankets to name just a few items. These items were quite important along the desolate frontier and could be bartered easily for other needed items. It was a very important part of the rancho.
The links below will take you to two additional Western Trips photo articles of historic sites along with fun hiking trails near Las Golondrinas.
The Turquoise Trail
Hiking Trails Near Santa Fe
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| Defensive Tower |
When you're visiting the Santa Fe area it is very easy to reach Las Golondrinas.
The site is only about fifteen miles southwest from the Santa Fe plaza and is just west of Interstate 25.
Las Golondrinas is open April through October. Both guided tours and self-guided tours are available. You'll also be able to view a short film regarding the ranch and the Spanish explorations of the area. Las Golondrinas schedules theme weekends, festivals snd other events through the season.
El rancho Las Golondrinas is affiliated with the Association for Living History, Farms and Agricultural Museums and the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Trail.
This is a very unique living museum and I would recommend it to anyone visiting the Santa Fe New Mexico area.
(Article and photos copyright Western Trips)
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