Las Cruces, New Mexico

Las Cruces is the county seat of Doña Ana County in south-central New Mexico. It covers 76.31 sq mi (122.81 sq mi) and has a population of around 100,000 people (2011 estimate), which makes it the second largest city in the state.

Veterans Memorial Park, Las Cruces
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Veterans_Memorial_Park_Las_Cruces_New_Mexico.jpg
Author: AllenS


The name Las Cruces means "the crosses", and the city is often called The City of the Crosses. How that name come about is not known. The area was inhabited by the Manso tribe of Native Americans, with the Mescalero Apache living nearby, when the Spanish arrived in the 16th century.

The Spanish under Juan de Oñate colonized the area in 1598, making it part of New Spain. In 1821 the area was claimed both by the Mexican Empire and the Republic of Texas. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 gate the area to the United States. The village of Las Cruces was founded the following year, 1849.

Hadley-Ludwick House (listed in NRHP), Las Cruces
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hadley-Ludwick_House_Las_Cruces_New_Mexico.jpg
Author: AllenS


When Las Cruces was founded, it was smaller than another nearby village, Mesilla. Then in 1860, it saw itself surpassing Mesilla due to an error of judgment by the latter's villagers. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway was constructing a line through the area. Landowners in Mesilla refused to sell it the rights-of-way, while those in Las Cruces donated the rights-of-way and land for a railway depot.

Along with the train came a university and government jobs, both helping to spur economic prosperity and drive its population growth. The New Mexico State University was established here in 1888. By the late 20th century, Las Cruces became increasingly popular as a haven for out-of-state retirees.

Goddard Hall, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New_Mexico_State_University_Goddard_Hall.jpg
Author: AllenS


Las Cruces enjoys an arid subtropical climate. Hottest month is July, when the average high temperature rises to 94°F. Coldest month is January, when the average low temperature drops to 26°F. August receives the most rain, at 2.3 in.

Visiting Las Cruces

Interstate 25 connects Las Cruces with Albuquerque in the north and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, in the south.

Places of Interest in Las Cruces

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