Santa Fe, New Mexico


Santa Fe is located in the north-central part and is the fourth largest city in the U.S. State of New Mexico. It is capital city of New Mexico, and the 2nd oldest city in the United States. The Native American called the place for the Dancing Ground of the Sun. Around 200 major film and television productions have been filmed in the City.

Santa Fe has a long history as one of the nation's oldest cities. Here you can find ancient and modern cultures. It is famous for its art galleries with Hispanic, Indigenous, and contemporary art. For its travel, culture, and quality of life, it was named as the number 1 city in the 2025 Travel + Leisure magazine.



To See And To Do In Santa Fe


  • Santa Fe Historic Downtown
  • Santa Fe Plaza
  • Loretto Chapel
  • Meow Wolf Exhibition
  • Santa Fe Plaza
  • Canyon Road (over 100 art galleries, studios, and workshops)
  • Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
  • Luca Decor Art Gallery
  • The Palace of the Governors
  • San Miguel Chapel
  • Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
  • New Mexico Museum Of Art
  • Museum of Contemporary Native Arts
  • Sazon Restaurant
  • The Ranch House Restaurant
  • Carole Laroche Gallery
  • Oldest House and Museum
  • Entropy Art Gallery
  • Nedra Matteucci Galleries
  • Farmers Market
  • Santa Fe Society of Artists Fine Art Shows


History Of Santa Fe - Timeline


Thousands of years before the first Europeans arrived, the Paleo-Indians lived the area. In 900, the Tewa people, who shared the Pueblo culture, founded a village in the area. In 1050, the Pueblo Indian had their Villages in todays Santa Fe.

In 1534, the explorer and conquistador, Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, traveled through the area. In 1540, the Spanish conquistador and explorer, Don Francisco Vazquez de Coronado, claimed the area for the Spanish Crown. In 1598, Juan de Onate, a Spanish conquistador, and explorer, founded a first permanent settlement in the area. The Camino Real, or the Silver Route was established. It was linked to Mexico City.

In 1603, a trading post was built for trades between Native Americans, and Spanish settlers. In 1607, Don Pedro de Peralta settled in Santa Fe to start a new city. La Fonda Hotel was built. In 1609, Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco was founded. It is the original Spanish name for Santa Fe.

In 1610, Pedro de Peralta officially founded Santa Fe. Pedro de Peralta, and other settlers, established a civil administration, a public square, government offices, and military structures, and named it the capital of Nuevo Mexico, a province of New Spain. The Palace of the Governors was built, and the San Miguel Chapel, a Spanish colonial mission church, was built.In 1620, the San Miguel Chapel was built. In 1625, the La Conquistadora statue, of the Madonna and Child, was delivered.

In 1626, a church was built. In 1630, Santa Fe served as a vital trade point between settlers, travelers, and the Pueblo communities. It was also a military and religious hub. In 1646, the Oldest House and Museum building was constructed. In 1680, the Pueblo Revolt took place. It was an uprising of the Pueblo people against the Spanish colonists. In 1692, Don Diego De Vargas surrounded the city, and the Pueblo leaders (Native Americans) agreed to surrender.

In 1712, the first Santa Fe Fiesta was held. It is a big festival that today happens every fall. In 1714, the church La Parroquia was built. In 1761, the Reredos of Our Lady of Light,a historic stone reredos, was carved.

In 1821, William Becknell, a soldier and politician, conducted trade in Santa Fe and opened the Santa Fe Trail. In 1824, the Constitution of Mexico established Santa Fe as the capital of the Mexican territory Santa Fe de Nuevo Mexico. In 1832, the Donaciano Vigil House was built. In 1833, Bent's Old Fort was built. It was a major fur trading post along the Santa Fe Trail.

In 1834, the newpaper El Crepusculo de la Libertad was published. In 1836, the Republic of Texas tried to annex Santa Fe, and a saloon opened. (Todays El Farol bar and tapas restaurant). In 1846, the United States went to war with Mexico. General Stephen W. Kearny led his army into Santa Fe and captured it. Stephen W. Kearny, established the law and government of the newly acquired territory of New Mexico. General Stephen W. Kearny's Army built Fort Marcy.

In 1847, the Santa Fe Republican newspaper was founded, and the Randall Davey House was built. It was first built as a sawmill. In 1849, a U.S. post office was established, and the newspaper Santa Fe New Mexican was founded. In 1852, the Loretto Academy for Girls was established. It was the first school in Santa Fe. In 1853, the Santiago E. Campos United States Courthouse was built. It was home of Donaciano Vigil, the first Hispanic governor of New Mexico under US rule.

In 1854, the El Zaguan complex was built. In 1859, the St. Michael's College in Santa Fe opened. In 1864, original portion of Daniel T. Kelly House was built. In 1865, the Christus St. Vincent Hospital was established. In 1867, the Soldiers' Monument was erected at the center of the Santa Fe Plaza. In 1868, the Santa Fe National Cemetery first known burial occurred. In 1869, the constructionof the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi started.

In 1870, the Fort Marcy Officer's Residence was built. In 1871, the Alfred M. Bergere House was built. In 1874, the construction of the Loretto Chapel started. In 1878, the Loretto Chapel Catholic building was completed. In 1880, the first train in Santa Fe arrived.

In 1881, a horse-drawn public transportation between Santa Fe and Las Vegas was established. The University of New Mexico started in Santa Fe, but it later (1889) moved to Albuquerque. In 1884, the Fairview Cemetery was built.

In 1887, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi was built. In 1888, a fire station was established. In 1889, a Federal Courthouse was built. In 1890, Santa Fe Indian School was founded. In 1891, the city of Santa Fe was officially formed. In 1893, Santa Fe's first public library started. In 1895, the city had electricity.

In 1900, the Bataan Memorial Building, a state government building, was built. In 1902, J.S. Candelario's Store opened. It was a popular stop for tourists. The Ricardo Alarid House was built. In 1909, the Museum of New Mexico opened, and president William Howard Taft visited the city. In 1911, the Scottish Rite Temple was built. In 1912, New Mexico became the 47th U.S. state, with Santa Fe as its capital.

In 1917, the Museum of Fine Arts opened. In 1919, the Santa Fe Playhouse theater was founded. In 1923, the Gustave Baumann House was built. In 1926, the Acequia Madre House was built. In 1927, the Connor Hall, and the Delgado Street Bridge were built. In 1930, the Allison Dormitory building was built. In 1931, the Lensic Theatre opened. In 1934, the Don Gaspar Bridge was built. In 1937, the New Mexico Supreme Court Building was built.

In 1938, the Hyde Memorial State Park was established. In 1939, the Digneo-Valdez House was built. In 1940, the Dodge-Bailey House, and the Glorieta Baldy Lookout Tower were built. In 1945, a riot occurred. A camp held of Japanese descendants. A fight broke out between the internees and agents guarding the camp. In 1946, the Brigadier General Estanislao López Football Stadium opened.

In 1976, the actor Adrian Grenier was born in the city. (The Devil Wears Prada). In 1987, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture opened. In 2000, the car maker Hyundai introduced a SUV named after Santa Fe. In 2025, around 90,600 people lived in the city.