Near Las Vegas in San Miguel County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert (1895-1991)
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New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 14, 2023
1. Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert (1895-1991) side of marker
Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert Raised on a ranch at La Liendre, Fabiola received a degree from New Mexico Normal School. She worked as a rural teacher and an agricultural Home Extension agent. In the 1930s, she became a charter member of La Sociedad Folklorica. An author and teacher, she dedicated her life to preserving Hispanic traditions. In 1954, she wrote We Fed Them Cactus, a book about growing up at La Liendre.
New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative The New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative was founded in 2005 by members of the New Mexico Women's Forum in a statewide effort to recognize women's contributions to New Mexico history on the state's Official Scenic Historic Markers. The Initiative ensures that women's diverse histories will be remembered and told, and will inspire and provide a guide for future generations. The 2006 Legislature funded the project.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Hispanic Americans • Women. In addition, it is included in the New Mexico Womens Historic Marker Initiative series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 35°
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Regionally, this marker is in Northern New Mexico. It is also in the American Southwest, in the Mountain West, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Browne & Manzanares Commission House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company Depot (approx. 0.6 miles away); Rawlins House (approx. 0.6 miles away); End of an Era (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dr. Meta L. Christy / New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative (approx. 0.6 miles away); Gross, Blackwell & Company Commission House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Meadows Hotel (approx. 0.6 miles away); Wells Fargo Express Office (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Las Vegas.
Also see . . .
1. Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert. A charter member of La Sociedad Folklorica in Santa Fe, she was committed to preserving Hispanic cultural traditions, including dance, music, language, folklore, and costumes. Her traditional cooking became legendary and her three books on food preparation, history, and oral traditions are valuable resources for historians. (New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative) (Submitted on November 21, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Fabiola Cabeza de Baca
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 14, 2023
2. New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative side of marker
3. Fabiola's Good Life. As a missionary for the good life during her career, she took the University to many northern New Mexicans for the first time. Her message later reached out to an Indian village in Mexico at the request of the United Nations. In retirement she trained Peace Corps volunteers, who extended her influence around the world. (Susan Pieper, New Mexico Resources Magazine, Spring 1995) (Submitted on November 21, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 14, 2023
3. Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert (1895-1991) / New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 292 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 21, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
