La Luz in Otero County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

La Luz

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 25, 2011

1. La Luz Marker

Inscription. In 1719, Spanish Franciscan missionaries built a chapel here dedicated to Nuestra Señora de la Luz, Our Lady of the Light. The naming of the village is also attributed to the will o’wisp light in the canyon, a perpetually burning lamp in an elderly woman’s home and a signal fire left by the male settlers, which when seen by the female settlers exclaimed "¡La Luz! Allá está la luz!, The Light, there is the light!" Settlement of the village did not begin until around 1860, when settlers arrived from other villages devastated by floods on the Rio Grande.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1719.

Location. 32° 58.505′ N, 105° 58.764′ W. Marker is in La Luz, New Mexico, in Otero County. It is at the intersection of State Road 545 and U.S. 54, on the left when traveling east on State Road 545. Marker is on the northeast corner, just east of US-54. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: La Luz NM 88337, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s Pecos Valley. It is also in the American Southwest.

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 Comanchería,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (approx. 4.4 miles away); Nike Ajax with Launcher

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 5 miles away); Ground Meteorological Device (approx. 5 miles away); IGOR Intercept Ground Optical Recorder (approx. 5 miles away); F-1 Rocket Engine (approx. 5 miles away); PTV Parachute Test Vehicle (approx. 5 miles away); Little Joe 2 (approx. 5 miles away); Crawler Transporter Shoe (approx. 5 miles away).

<i>Back of</i> La Luz Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 25, 2011

2. Back of La Luz Marker

Points of Interest
New Mexico's Historic Markers typically have a map on the back side showing the location of other OSHM's. This is an excellent source of information when exploring for other Historical Markers and locations.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 25, 2011

3. La Luz Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,960 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.