Archive for September, 2006
Tuesday, September 19th, 2006
Organ Mountains
If you look east from Mesilla, you can see the Organ Mountains. The highest peak in the range is 8,990 feet.
Here’s a view of the Organ Mountains from the north end of Mesilla, across an alfalfa field.
Tags: Organ Mountains Viewed From Mesilla
Monday, September 18th, 2006
"Fall Getaway"
The October issue of Sunset magazine recommends Mesilla as a top getaway location for a weekend trip.
The article in the magazine covers many of the obvious things to do in Mesilla, including the restaurants and shops.
Tags: Sunset Magazine, Travel Getaway
Saturday, September 16th, 2006
18,000+ Acres
There are 18,000+ acres of pecans in this county (Doña Ana).
How many trees is that?
I don’t know, but you can get some idea of the miles and miles of trees from these satellite photos of pecan groves just south of Mesilla.
In a mature grove, trees are spaced about 30 feet apart, resulting in about 48 trees per acre.
The average yield for a pecan grove is about 600 pounds an acre.
This area produces higher than average yields, but most importantly, the quality of pecans grown here is unmatched anywhere else. High quality pecans require cold in the winter and heat in the summer, but not too cold or too hot. The climate here is just right for pecans.
Most growers in this area do not use chemical insecticides to control pests — instead, growers use natural predators like ladybugs and lacewing flies.
New Mexico Pecan Growers Association
Tags: Pecan Quality, Yield
Wednesday, September 13th, 2006
Adobe Pulled Down
Yesterday afternoon, several miles south of Mesilla, I watched the last wall of an adobe structure pulled down. There were several good reasons the old home had to be demolished, including public safety.
Here’s the wall about to go:
I spoke with the owner, who told me the structure was not that old, having been built about 1950.
How do you date adobe? Here’s one way: 
Notice that the mortar used between the adobe bricks is cement. That is a practice that began in the late 1940s and largely defeats the advantages of adobe, because cement is an excellent conductor of heat. An adobe structure that uses cement mortar instead of the traditional mud will be hotter in the summer and cooler in the winter.
Here’s the wall going down:
Tags: Adobe Wall
Saturday, September 9th, 2006
Thunderbird de la Mesilla
This is believed to be the oldest brick building in New Mexico. It sits at the southwest corner of Mesilla plaza. The sign on the front wall gives a quick history of the building.
“This is the oldest documented brick building in New Mexico.Augustin Maurin (of French descent) initiated construction in 1860 using burned brick from his own kiln. He was murdered by robbers in his adjoining apartment in 1866.
The heir, Cesar Maurin, came here from France to claim the property. He died of natural causes in 1868.
Frenchman Pedro Duhalde, a former Mesilla saloonkeeper, moved in and was himself murdered by robbers.
Now owned by Tiburcio Frietze, after having been used as a general store, residence, saloon and town hall, the building remains in good condition.
Original, hand-hewn vigas, supporting a low, irregular ceiling, join with the old brickwork in creating a fitting background for the gift items displayed.
The Dona Ana Historical Society finds this building worthy of preservation and commends Mr. Frietze for his part in its care.”
Tags: Thunderbird de la Mesilla Gift Shop
Friday, September 8th, 2006
San Albino Skyward
Another view of San Albino.
