Historical Marker
La Plaza de Arriba (NOTE: never built)
La Plaza de Arriba, “Upper Plaza”, Costilla, New Mexico, is one La Plaza de Arriba, or “Upper Plaza,” is one of seven built in the area after 1849. This southernmost plaza was built as a defensive structure for the surrounding fields and households. Six others: the Plazas del Medio, de los Manzanares, Placitas de los Madriles, de los Cordovas, de Chalifu and de Poleo embrace the cultural fabric of the whole community.
The first European to visit what is now New Mexico was likely Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish explorer who traveled through the region in the early 16th century. However, it was not until the arrival of Juan de Oñate in 1598 that the Spanish established a permanent settlement in the area.