Near La Cienega in Santa Fe County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Hispanic Women of Colonial New Mexico and the Law
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Doña Rosa Bustamante (1735-1814)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2025
1. Doña Rosa Bustamante (1735-1814) Side of Marker
Hispanic Women of Colonial New Mexico and the Law
During the colonial period in New Mexico, Spanish law granted women important legal rights. Women conducted land deals, purchased property and livestock, operated businesses, kept their surnames, and wrote wills independent of their husbands. Women offered testimony in legal cases and addressed legal matters in court. Inheritance laws provided that a daughter receive a portion of the estate equal to her male siblings.
Doña Rosa Bustamante (1735-1814)
Rosa Bustamante was a successful businesswoman in northern New Mexico in the 18th and 19th centuries. Born to wealthy descendants of the Oñate expedition, she owned a weaving store in Santa Fe and married Antonio José Ortiz, the city’s alcalde. Her large dowry was valued at 2,179 pesos. Rosa owned a mill, sheep, cattle, orchards, and property in Pojoaque, Santa Fe, and La Ciénega. She was generous to her community, served as godmother to 64 children, and became the largest benefactor of the Catholic Church for that time.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics and series. This historical
this page online
Location. 35° 33.101′ N, 106° 7.055′ W. Marker is near La Cienega, New Mexico, in Santa Fe County. It is at the intersection of East I- 25 Frontage Road and Entrada La Cienega, on the right when traveling north on East I- 25 Frontage Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Santa Fe NM 87508, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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 and also the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hispanic Women of Colonial New Mexico and Land Ownership (a few steps from this marker); Golondrinas Old Cienega Village Museum
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2025
2. Doña Rosa Bustamante (1735-1814) Side of Marker
More about this marker. Text of Hispanic Women of Colonial New Mexico and the Law side of marker taken from a New Mexico Historic Preservation Division database.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 74 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 13, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Closeup photograph of Hispanic Women of Colonial New Mexico and the Law side of marker • Can you help?
