Things You May Not Know About—Santa Fe
- Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, is the oldest capital city in the U.S. Ha, so, you other 49 cities eat your hearts out. Not only that, it’s the highest capital city in the United States at 7,000 feet above sea level
- Since we’re talkin’ old, Santa Fe is the second oldest town in the U.S., founded in 1607 by the Spanish, 13 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.
- Santa Fe means "Holy Faith" in Spanish.
- More than 65,000 people live and work in Santa Fe.
- The Palace of the Governors is the oldest public building in continuous use in the United States. The building has been the seat of five different national governments. In 1880, Governor Lew Wallace wrote Ben Hur there. Today, it’s a museum.
- Condé Nast Traveler magazine rates Santa Fe in the top three tourist destinations in the U.S.
- Santa Fe averages 300 days of sunshine, 14 inches of rain and 17.5 inches, (or 30-34 depending on your reference) of snow each year. However, it seems cooler and cloudier than that.
- Within an hour drive, you can ski from Thanksgiving to Easter.
- Santa Fe is one of the largest art markets in the world. Lotta fancy shops with over-priced drawings and paintings that you either don’t really like–or understand–but, feel compelled to fawn over. Go to Wal-Mart and get something similar for a reasonable price.
Today, I’m in Santa Fe. Since it may be a city with which you’re not familiar, I thought I’d post a few factoids.
The above canopies shelter vendors of art and jewelry in the street near the main city square. I don’t think they’re always in the street. This may depict a special occasion.
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Oldest Church in Santa Fe |
Oldest house in Santa Fe |
And…
oldest human—or reasonable facsimile thereof—in Santa Fe.
Programming Note: Tomorrow, I reveal some gems of knowledge imparted to me personally by the Oracle at Delphi. Lotta can’t miss stuff this week, right here on Imagineering Fiction.
Themocracy
Hope you have a great trip, Galen. I didn’t know Santa Fe was such an old city. Thanks for sharing the pics and info!
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I’ve been to Sante Fe and really enjoyed myself but now that I’ve learned more about it, I’m ready to go back! I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s ‘program.’
I’ve never been, but I’d love to visit. Plus, those 300 days of sunshine sound extremely inviting.
Jack you merit your very own reply today. I see Wifey had tossed down the shoe gauntlet. She asserts you LIED. Say it ain’t so, jo Jack? Say it ain’t so. You know, I’d NEVER even stretch the truth about my wife, just to win some cheap and tawdry blog points. Are you guilty of this??? The problem is, Wifey has big credibility…you??? Weeeeeelll.
Um…um…well, I…see, it’s like this…
Ahem, I reserve the right to defend myself in a future blog post.
Most interesting facts about a fine old city. I absolutely love the architecture! But oldest capital city in the US? I’d have NEVER guessed that – older than those in the original 13 colony states? How’d THAT happen – they older states have moved their capitals, maybe? So the “new” capitals in those old states are not as old as NM’s?
Marvin D Wilson
Very interesting. Thanks for the factoids. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s interview with the Oracle.
We vacationed there about 4 years ago and loved it. I even made it down to the four corners.
Thanks for the mini-tour and the lovely pictures! Looking forward to hearing from the Oracle, although I’m a little ticked that I wasn’t the one picked to hear the wisdom!
Elspeth
Yeah, Elizabeth, it’s way old, and the streets reflect it. The older ones are skinny. Driving can be a challenge. Reminds me a bit of Europe.
Oh, good, Jane. Santa Fe is kind of a fun town, and unlike for you, it takes me about 50 minutes to get here. Your trip’s a bit longer, huh?
Hey, Marv, well Santa Fe has been here in capital city form, since 1607…before Plymouth Rock. So, most of the colonies were either non-existent, or just a sketch on a map belonging to some principality or King. Nothing formally organized. But, Santa Fe had an organized, functioning government. Trust me, I was there.
Hey, Alan, glad you liked the Santa Fe summary, maybe you can get out this way sometime. Convention, maybe.
Oh, Carolyn. Maybe I shouldn’t tell you this, but, do you know they’ve discovered the four corners monument is in the wrong geographic spot. The actual four corners is a couple of miles away. Look at it this way, means you’ll have to come back.
Not to fret, Elspeth, I had to GO to Delphi to get the good stuff, not like I was summoned. Maybe you’ll be called tomorrow. I did note the Oracle had a land line….no cell service there. I mean, you’d think, being the priestess of Apollo and all… but, I guess the power to challenge Verizon has it’s limits.
I’ve always wanted to visit Santa Fe. Looks like you’re taking it all in, I’m envious. Have fun!
My family and I drove through Santa Fe once a few years ago and I’ve always wanted to go back. I guess the hubby and I ought to do that before we completely run out of energy.