Historical Marker

Curanderas — Women Who Heal


In New Mexico, women blessed with special knowledge of herbs, household remedies, human health and strong faith are trusted to cure real or imagined maladies. Known as Curanderas, these women have been an integral part of the Hispanic fabric in Mora County and in the more remote communities around the state. They oversee the well-being of their respective villages where medical doctors and clinics are scarce

The Historic Women Marker Initiative of 2007 captured the public’s imagination. It has received international attention for its ambitious goal of telling women’s history in New Mexico on some of the state’s 650 Official Scenic Historic Markers. Before 2007, perhaps three markers mentioned women at all.

The lives of the only known female Buffalo solider, one of the world’s most famous artists, and unsung heroes like Sally Rooke who gave her life at her switchboard warning Folsom’s citizens of a wall of water approaching their town are honored on 75 women’s history markers.

The first phase of the Initiative concluded in 2010. Ten more markers were installed in 2015 and an additional 25 are expected to bring their numbers to an even 100 in the coming years. The program is a partnership of the New Mexico Women’s Forum, HPD, CPRC, New Mexico Department of Transportation, and the public. The 2006 legislature made the initial 65 historic markers possible.

Like all state historic markers, the women’s history markers are designed in the Park Service Rustic style adopted when the program began in 1935. What’s different is their perspective of New Mexico history.

Audiobooks about the history of New Mexico.
The state's landscape is diverse and includes deserts, mountains, and forests. It is home to several national parks and monuments, including Carlsbad Caverns National Park and the White Sands National Monument.
New Mexico random facts
Mora County, located in the northeastern part of New Mexico, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various indigenous tribes, including the Pueblo, Apache, and Comanche peoples. Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, bringing with them the influence of European colonization. The conquistadors established missions and settlements, including the first European-founded city in what is now the United States, San Gabriel de Yunque-Ouinge.

During the 19th century, Mora County experienced significant changes as the region came under Mexican rule following independence from Spain. The area became known for its agriculture and livestock farming, with large ranches and homesteads dotting the landscape. The arrival of the Santa Fe Trail in the 1820s further boosted trade and brought settlers to the area.

In the mid-1800s, the United States gained control of New Mexico as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican-American War. This led to increased American settlement in Mora County, and with it, conflicts between the newcomers and the local population.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Mora County continued to develop as railroads expanded into the region. The towns of Mora and Watrous became important transportation hubs, facilitating trade and commerce. However, the declining agricultural industry and challenges posed by droughts and the Great Depression led to economic struggles in the county.

Today, Mora County retains its rural character and is known for its natural beauty, including the nearby Santa Fe National Forest. It remains an important part of New Mexico's cultural and historical legacy, with its diverse heritage shaped by indigenous peoples, Spanish colonizers, Mexican influences, and American settlers.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Mora County, New Mexico.

  • Pre-1850s: Mora County inhabited by Native American tribes, primarily Jicarilla Apache and Ute.
  • 1850: U.S. government establishes Fort Union, which becomes a major trading post in the region.
  • 1851: The Treaty of Fort Laramie is signed, leading to increased conflicts between settlers and Native American tribes.
  • 1860: Mora County is officially established by an act of the New Mexico Territorial Legislature.
  • Late 1800s: Ranching and agriculture become major industries in Mora County.
  • 1880s: The railroad reaches nearby towns, boosting economic development in the area.
  • 1906: Mora County becomes the final county created in New Mexico.
  • Mid-1900s: Economic decline in the region leads to population loss and challenges for local communities.
  • Late 1900s: Efforts to preserve the cultural and historical heritage of Mora County increase.
  • 2008: Mora County passes a ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), becoming the first county in the U.S. to do so.