Carlsbad in Eddy County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Mother Magdalen and the Sisters of Loretto (1852 - 1968)
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Carlsbad
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 24, 2026
1. Mother Magdalen and the Sisters of Loretto (1852-1968) Marker
Mother Magdalen and the Sisters of Loretto (1852 - 1968). Four Sisters of Loretto, Mother Magdalen Hayden and Sisters Roberta Brown, Rosana Dant and Catherine Mahoney, arrived in Santa Fe from Kentucky on September 26,1852. In January 1853 they established Our Lady of Light Academy, later known as Loretto, the first school for young women in the Territory of New Mexico.
Carlsbad. Elevation 3120 ft. Native people have lived in this area for thousands of years. In 1590, the expedition of Gasper Castaρo de Sosa followed the Pecos River near what would later become Carlsbad. Carlsbad was originally named Eddy after the Eddy brothers, pioneer cattlemen and railroad promoters. In 1899 it was renamed Carlsbad for the famous European resort of Karlsbad because the mineral content in its water was found to be similar.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.
Location. 32° 25.296′ N, 104° 12.771′ W. Marker is in Carlsbad, New Mexico, in Eddy
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s Pecos Valley. It is also in the American Southwest, on the Great Plains, on the Southern Plains, and specifically on the High Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Comancherνa, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Josephine Cox "Grandma" Anderson (a few steps from this marker); Carlsbad Irrigation Flume (approx. 3 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps Carlsbad Campsite (approx. 3 miles away); a different marker also named Carlsbad Irrigation Flume (approx. 3.1 miles away); a different marker also named Carlsbad Irrigation Flume (approx. 3.2 miles away); Goodnight-Loving Trail (approx. 9.3 miles
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 24, 2026
2. Carlsbad Marker Side
It appears it has been painted or placed over the original "Points of Interest" map.
Other markers no longer nearby. Eddy County Courthouse (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Loving's Bend (was approx. 10.9 miles away but has been permanently removed); Espejo's Trail (was approx. 15½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 24, 2026
3. Mother Magdalen and the Sisters of Loretto (1852 - 1968) / Carlsbad Marker in the distance
Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 32 times since then. Last updated on May 27, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 27, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. 3. submitted on May 31, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
