Historical Marker

Maria Gertrudis Barcelo, "Doña Tules" (ca. 1800–1852)

Historical marker location:

I-25, Santa Fe vicinity, New Mexico

( La Bajada rest area)

Maria Gertrudis Barceló or Doña Tules, a notorious gambler and courtesan, operated a gambling house and saloon on Burro Alley in Santa Fe. She traveled up El Camino Real from Sonora, Mexico in 1815. Bishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy allowed this controversial lady to be buried in the south chapel of La Parroquia, the Santa Fe parish church, and used the money from her funeral for badly-needed repairs.