Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
1854 - Santa Fe

Santa Fe, the capital and largest town of New Mexico, is situated on the Rio Chicito, or Santa Fe river, an affluent of the Rio Grande, from which it is distant about 20 miles in a direct line. Lat. 35° 41' N., Lon. about 106° 10' W. It is the great emporium of the over land trade which, since 1822, has been carried on with the State of Missouri. Each of the houses, which are principally built of dark-colored adobes, or unburnt brick, usually forms a square, with a court within, upon which nearly all the apartments open from the street. There is generally but one en trance, which is wide and high enough to admit animals with their packs. Much of the ground in and around Snnta Fe is extremely sandy ; and in dry weather, when the wind is high, this is a source of great annoyance. The place is well supplied with cool water from springs within its limits, and also from fountains above the city near the mountain side. Numerous azequias, or small canals, are led through the streets, and afterwards serve to irrigate the gardens and fields be low the town for several miles. On the whole, the appearance of Santa Fe is very uninviting, and the population is exceedingly depraved. It stands on a plateau, which is elevated about 7000 feet above the sea, and a short distance S. W. of the base of Snow capped mountain, which rises 5000 feet above the level of the town. One or two newspapers are issued here. Pop. in 1850, 4846.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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