Santa Fe (New Mexico)

Santa Fe (New Mexico), capital city of New Mexico and seat of Santa Fe County, located on the Santa Fe River in the north central part of the state. A year-round tourist center situated near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the city is particularly noted for its Native American and Spanish-style handicrafts. Other manufactures include nuclear instruments and dishware. Among the points of interest here are the State Capitol (1966); the San Miguel Mission (1610, reconstructed early 18th century); and the French-Romanesque-style Cathedral of Saint Francis (begun 1869). The Museum of New Mexico administers several separate museums: the Palace of the Governors (1610); the Museum of Fine Arts (1917); the Museum of International Folk Art (1952); and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (1987). The city is the seat of the College of Santa Fe (1947), St. John's College (1964), the Institute of American Indian Arts (1962), a community college, and the New Mexico School for the Deaf. Performing groups include the Santa Fe Opera, the Orchestra of Santa Fe, and the Community Theatre.

The region of Santa Fe was occupied by the Tewa people when Francisco Vásquez de Coronado arrived in 1540, exploring for the Spanish crown. Colonization began in 1598, and Santa Fe was founded in 1610 to serve as the capital of New Mexico. In 1680 the Spanish were driven from New Mexico by the Pueblo revolt. They reconquered the region in 1692, and Santa Fe was again occupied in 1693. Zebulon M. Pike explored the area for the United States government in 1807, but Spain did not relinquish control until 1821, when the region came under Mexican control. Trade with the United States over the Santa Fe Trail, an overland trade route from Missouri, began soon thereafter. Stephen W. Kearny led U.S. troops in occupying Santa Fe during the Mexican War (1846-1848).

New Mexico was ceded to the United States in 1848, and Santa Fe became the territorial capital in 1851; it remained the capital when New Mexico achieved statehood in 1912. During the American Civil War (1861-1865), Santa Fe was briefly occupied by Confederate forces. The city's economy benefited from the establishment, in the early 1940s, of major U.S. atomic research facilities at nearby Los Alamos. Population 48,953 (1980); 55,859 (1990); 62,203 (2000); 70,631 (2005 estimate).