San Antonito Church and Cemetery
Jct. of NM 14 and NM 536, NW corner, San Antonito, NMIn the late 1700's several communities settled in the East Mountain area. However, these early settlements were abandoned because of the Apache attacks. In 1819 the Governor of the New Mexico territory granted land to settlers in Carnue known today as Carnuel. The following year these settlers asked for more land as they found the farming to be better than they had anticipated. The additional land was given under the San Antonio grant.
According to JJ Bowden's, Private Land Claims in the Southwest, in 1840 a group of 27 residents petitioned the Prefect of the District of Bernalillo for a grant of 32,000 acres of vacant land known as San Antonito. This land was previously occupied in 1826 but had been abandoned. The land was granted and grant papers state that the land would be placed under the protection of Saint Anthony (San Antonio).
In his thesis, The Spanish of San Antonito, Jean Donald Bowen interviewed Manuel Gonzales in 1952. Manuel was 84 years old at that time. In this interview, he stated that San Antonito was settled in 1835 by settlers from San Antonio 4 miles to the South.
These settlers built a new community in the days when it took three days to get to Albuquerque and back by wagon, and the Albuquerque newspaper of the day still gave reports of Apache raiding. The people were mainly farmers but also worked with nearby lumber and mining industries. The road through San Antonito from Albuquerque to Santa Fe was also a secondary trail that cut off from the Santa Fe Trail at about the Pecos River and worked it's way to the Tijeras canyon.
In 1848, after the U.S.-Mexican War, the treaty of Hidalgo Guadalupe gave the local residents citizenship and recognized their ownership of the land. However, the grants had to be proved.
In 1892 the heirs and legal representatives of the original San Antonito grantees sought confirmation of the grant. The US government rejected the grant on the grounds that it was given by a Prefect without proper approval by the Governor and the Provincial Assembly. This decision was upheld by the US Supreme court in 1897. Other lands granted by the Mexican government in New Mexico were rejected on these same grounds.
The community of San Antonito was left with no legal ownership of the land. It was up to each resident to apply for a patent for the land which he could prove belonged to him. Because of this, much of the communal lands were lost. In 1896 and 1899 land surveys of the San Antonito area were done, most likely because of the many land claims being filed. In the surveyor notes of 1896 it shows that there was a small chapel in the Southeast corner of File No 3008 Tract 6 which Julian Romero, a local farmer, was applying for a patent.
In the papers in which Julian Romero filed to receive a patent for the land, he signed an affidavit stating that he bought the land from Ramon Zamora (one of the original grantees) in 1879. The land was patented to Romero in 1902 who was listed as one of the petitioners in the confirmation suit filed in 1892.
This plot of land was deeded to the Archbishop Peter Bourgade of Santa Fe in 1905 by Julian Romero's widow Seferina Zamora de Romero.
Local significance of the building:
According to JJ Bowden's, Private Land Claims in the Southwest, in 1840 a group of 27 residents petitioned the Prefect of the District of Bernalillo for a grant of 32,000 acres of vacant land known as San Antonito. This land was previously occupied in 1826 but had been abandoned. The land was granted and grant papers state that the land would be placed under the protection of Saint Anthony (San Antonio).
In his thesis, The Spanish of San Antonito, Jean Donald Bowen interviewed Manuel Gonzales in 1952. Manuel was 84 years old at that time. In this interview, he stated that San Antonito was settled in 1835 by settlers from San Antonio 4 miles to the South.
These settlers built a new community in the days when it took three days to get to Albuquerque and back by wagon, and the Albuquerque newspaper of the day still gave reports of Apache raiding. The people were mainly farmers but also worked with nearby lumber and mining industries. The road through San Antonito from Albuquerque to Santa Fe was also a secondary trail that cut off from the Santa Fe Trail at about the Pecos River and worked it's way to the Tijeras canyon.
In 1848, after the U.S.-Mexican War, the treaty of Hidalgo Guadalupe gave the local residents citizenship and recognized their ownership of the land. However, the grants had to be proved.
In 1892 the heirs and legal representatives of the original San Antonito grantees sought confirmation of the grant. The US government rejected the grant on the grounds that it was given by a Prefect without proper approval by the Governor and the Provincial Assembly. This decision was upheld by the US Supreme court in 1897. Other lands granted by the Mexican government in New Mexico were rejected on these same grounds.
The community of San Antonito was left with no legal ownership of the land. It was up to each resident to apply for a patent for the land which he could prove belonged to him. Because of this, much of the communal lands were lost. In 1896 and 1899 land surveys of the San Antonito area were done, most likely because of the many land claims being filed. In the surveyor notes of 1896 it shows that there was a small chapel in the Southeast corner of File No 3008 Tract 6 which Julian Romero, a local farmer, was applying for a patent.
In the papers in which Julian Romero filed to receive a patent for the land, he signed an affidavit stating that he bought the land from Ramon Zamora (one of the original grantees) in 1879. The land was patented to Romero in 1902 who was listed as one of the petitioners in the confirmation suit filed in 1892.
This plot of land was deeded to the Archbishop Peter Bourgade of Santa Fe in 1905 by Julian Romero's widow Seferina Zamora de Romero.
Education; Architecture; Exploration/settlement
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The state has a rich tradition of cowboy culture and rodeo, with many annual events celebrating this heritage. One of the most famous is the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which features hundreds of hot air balloons and draws thousands of visitors each year.
About Bernalillo County
Bernalillo County Timeline
Bernalillo County, located in the central part of the U.S. state of New Mexico, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Tiwa and Tanoan people, who lived off the land and established settlements along the Rio Grande.
In 1540, Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an expedition into what is now Bernalillo County. The Spanish established several missions and settlements in the region, including the Alameda Mission and the village of Alburquerque (later renamed Albuquerque). These early settlements laid the foundation for the region's future development.
During the 19th century, Bernalillo County experienced significant growth with the arrival of American pioneers and traders. The region became an important trading post along the historic Santa Fe Trail, further connecting it to the expanding western frontier. In 1851, Bernalillo County was officially established as one of the original nine counties in the newly formed New Mexico Territory.
Bernalillo County played a significant role during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. It served as a strategic location for both sides, as the Rio Grande acted as a natural barrier. The county saw battles, skirmishes, and military engagements, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
In the 20th century, Bernalillo County continued to grow and develop, becoming an important center for government, commerce, and culture in New Mexico. Today, the county is home to the vibrant city of Albuquerque, which is the state's largest city and the cultural, economic, and political hub of the region. Bernalillo County's rich history can be seen through its diverse architectural styles, cultural traditions, and landmarks that reflect the people who have called this area home throughout the centuries.
In 1540, Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an expedition into what is now Bernalillo County. The Spanish established several missions and settlements in the region, including the Alameda Mission and the village of Alburquerque (later renamed Albuquerque). These early settlements laid the foundation for the region's future development.
During the 19th century, Bernalillo County experienced significant growth with the arrival of American pioneers and traders. The region became an important trading post along the historic Santa Fe Trail, further connecting it to the expanding western frontier. In 1851, Bernalillo County was officially established as one of the original nine counties in the newly formed New Mexico Territory.
Bernalillo County played a significant role during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. It served as a strategic location for both sides, as the Rio Grande acted as a natural barrier. The county saw battles, skirmishes, and military engagements, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
In the 20th century, Bernalillo County continued to grow and develop, becoming an important center for government, commerce, and culture in New Mexico. Today, the county is home to the vibrant city of Albuquerque, which is the state's largest city and the cultural, economic, and political hub of the region. Bernalillo County's rich history can be seen through its diverse architectural styles, cultural traditions, and landmarks that reflect the people who have called this area home throughout the centuries.
Bernalillo County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
- 1692: Bernalillo County established as part of New Spain's Santa Ana Pueblo land grant.
- 1821: Mexico gains independence from Spain, and Bernalillo County becomes part of the Republic of Mexico.
- 1848: Bernalillo County is ceded to the United States as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican-American War.
- 1852: Bernalillo County officially organized as a county within the New Mexico Territory.
- 1880: Completion of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway line through Bernalillo County stimulates growth and development in the region.
- 1902: The county seat is moved from Albuquerque to nearby Los Ranchos.
- 1930: The county seat is moved back to Albuquerque due to the city's rapid growth and importance.
- 1960s: Bernalillo County experiences significant population growth as a result of urbanization and suburban development.
- 2000s: Bernalillo County implements various initiatives to promote economic development, community engagement, and sustainable growth.