Near Santa Fe in Santa Fe County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Sisters of Charity
(side one)
The first Sisters of Charity arrived in New Mexico Territory in 1865 from Cincinnati at the request of Bishop Lamy with the mission of serving all people regardless of race, religion or ability to pay. Hundreds of sisters followed. They established some of the most significant institutions in the state including St. Vincent Hospital & Orphanage and St. Elizabeth Shelter for the Homeless in Santa Fe.
(side two)
Sisters Pauline Leo and Vincent O'Keefe, Civil War nurses, with Sisters Theodosia Farn and Catherine Mallon arrived in Santa Fe in 1865.
Sister Mary de Sales Deheney, an Irish immigrant with an eighth-grade education, became the first woman doctor licensed in the Territory.
Sister Blandina Segale, an Italian immigrant, authored At the End of the Santa Fe Trail.
Hermana Dolores Chavez de Gutierrez, a New Mexico territory native, became a benefactor of St. Vincent Hospital and Orphanage.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Churches & Religion • Women. In addition, it is included in the New Mexico Women’s Historic Marker Initiative series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 35° 31.647′ N, 106° 9.375′ W. Marker is near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in Santa Fe County. Marker can be reached from Interstate 25 at milepost 269,, 1½ miles west of Waldo Canyon Road (County Road 57). Marker is located at the La Bajada Welcome Center in the northbound rest area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Santa Fe NM 87508, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Three Wise Women (here, next to this marker); Maria Gertrudis Barceló (here, next to this marker); Laura Gilpin (1891-1979) (here, next to this marker); Bicentennial Celebration / La Bajada (a few steps from this marker); Amelia Elizabeth White / Mary Cabot Wheelwright (a few steps from this marker); Gold and Turquoise (within shouting distance of this marker); Golondrinas Old Cienega Village Museum (approx. 4.1 miles away); Welcome to the Cerrillos Hills State Park (approx. 6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Fe.
Also see . . . Our History. Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati (Submitted on August 11, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Additional commentary.
1. Sister Mary de Sales
Sister Mary de Sales surname is Leheney not Deheney as stated on the inscription on the marker. Sister Mary de Sales is my great-great aunt. Thank you.
— Submitted March 23, 2016, by M Silkaitis of Chicago, Illinois.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,545 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 3, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.