Mesilla has always been one of the most colorful and historical towns in New Mexico. Travelers have enjoyed this beautiful place for centuries. In early times the Indians and Conquistadors used it as a camping area. It was an overnight stop in the days of the stagecoach, the capitol of the New Mexico and Arizona Territories, and the courthouse where Billy the Kid stood Trial. Today a variety of visitors from many places enjoy strolling through this beautiful, peaceful town.

When the first settlers came to Mesilla, the Rio Grande flowed between Mesilla and Las Cruces. By 1850 there were 650 residents. Merchants sold to the people who came to Mesilla as they traveled on the Chihuahua Trail and to the people of nearby Fort Filmore. Mesilla was still part of Mexico. The residents built their homes close together around the plaza to protect from the raiding Mescalero Apache Indians.

On Nov. 16, 1854, an American flag was raised on the Mesilla Plaza to mark the signing of the Mesilla Treaty (the Gadsden Purchase). This treaty annexed Mesilla at a cost of about 10 million dollars. Now there was a reliable route to the west coast. In 1858 the Butterfield Overland Mail and Stage Line set up its regional headquarters in Mesilla. At that time, Mesilla was one of the largest towns in the Territory with a population of 3,000. At that time El Paso and Las Cruces were tiny towns with only a couple hundred residents.

In 1861 the Confederate troops entered Mesilla. As Santa Fe fell in the North, the Confederates established Mesilla as the Capitol of the New Mexico and Arizona Territories. But by July of 1862 the confederate forces returned to Texas. Soon the California Column, a Union Army unit, moved into Mesilla. Many civilians accompanied the solders and returned to Mesilla after the war to make Mesilla their home.

During the 1860’s and 1870’s, Mesilla was the social center for the surrounding forts. While many came to attend dances and the theatre, many also enjoyed watching the bullfights and cockfights that were common in this time period.

Mesilla has always been one of the most colorful and historical towns in New Mexico. Travelers have enjoyed this beautiful place for centuries. In early times the Indians and Conquistadors used it as a camping area. It was an overnight stop in the days of the stagecoach, the capitol of the New Mexico and Arizona Territories, and the courthouse where Billy the Kid stood Trial. Today a variety of visitors from many places enjoy strolling through this beautiful, peaceful town.

When the first settlers came to Mesilla, the Rio Grande flowed between Mesilla and Las Cruces. By 1850 there were 650 residents. Merchants sold to the people who came to Mesilla as they traveled on the Chihuahua Trail and to the people of nearby Fort Filmore. Mesilla was still part of Mexico. The residents built their homes close together around the plaza to protect from the raiding Mescalero Apache Indians.

On Nov. 16, 1854, an American flag was raised on the Mesilla Plaza to mark the signing of the Mesilla Treaty (the Gadsden Purchase). This treaty annexed Mesilla at a cost of about 10 million dollars. Now there was a reliable route to the west coast. In 1858 the Butterfield Overland Mail and Stage Line set up its regional headquarters in Mesilla. At that time, Mesilla was one of the largest towns in the Territory with a population of 3,000. At that time El Paso and Las Cruces were tiny towns with only a couple hundred residents.

In 1861 the Confederate troops entered Mesilla. As Santa Fe fell in the North, the Confederates established Mesilla as the Capitol of the New Mexico and Arizona Territories. But by July of 1862 the confederate forces returned to Texas. Soon the California Column, a Union Army unit, moved into Mesilla. Many civilians accompanied the solders and returned to Mesilla after the war to make Mesilla their home.

During the 1860’s and 1870’s, Mesilla was the social center for the surrounding forts. While many came to attend dances and the theatre, many also enjoyed watching the bullfights and cockfights that were common in this time period.

Basilica of San Albino, the Roman Catholic church on the plaza is one of the oldest churches in the Mesilla Valley. The first small church of San Albino was built around 1852 on the south side of the plaza. In 1855 an adobe church was built on the north side of the plaza and was replaced with the current brick church in 1908.

The bells of San Albino are an important part of Mesilla. Cast from the belongings of the residents, the first bell was cast on Sept. 1, 1876. Soon thereafter the second bell was made. It was not until Dec. 16, 1887, that the last bell, the big bell, was blessed. The bells still ring to wake the town to early mass at 6:30. They ring for deaths and funerals and baptisms and marriages. Today they are supplemented with electronic bells that ring over the town.