by Thomas Wilmer
An Audio exploration with on-location audio interviews
Urban Émigrés find paradise in historic Las Vegas, New Mexico
At one time Las Vegas, New Mexico was the largest town in the entire Southwest. The advent of the Santa Fe trail brought thousands of wagon train emigrants passing through the region en route to the promised land in west.
The advent of travel by rail routed the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe railroad through Las Vegas, spurring a major boom in businesses. Even though the Amtrak serves Las Vegas today, the main east-west railroad routes diverged through Albuquerque long ago.
Today, the physical legacy of the boom times is poignantly preserved by a plethora of stunningly beautiful stone and brick and wood clad Victorian era businesses and homes in Las Vegas, New Mexico. There remains more than 900 historic buildings in town listed on the National Historic Register.
From food to culture and living history, Las Vegas is a must do for anyone planning an exploration of Northern New Mexico.
Join the conversation with three modern day immigrants who left big city life on the East Coast and West Coast to happily hunker down in an under-the-radar paradise.
Jan and Frank Beurskens and Cindy Collins share their stories of discovery and settling in the real Las Vegas in the heart of Northern New Mexico.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIO INTERVIEW
Renaissance in Las Vegas, New Mexico anchored by historic Hotel Castañeda
A conversation with architectural-visionary preservationist Allan Affeldt
Allan Affeldt is the owner and visionary of the historic Hotel Castañeda, located adjacent to the Las Vegas, New Mexico train depot. Back in 1898, with the Santa Fe railway’s mainline connecting Chicago and Los Angeles with a depot stop in Las Vegas, the Hotel Castañeda opened for business–catering to railroad passengers as the first of many legendary Fred Harvey trackside hotels across the west.
Sadly, the grand dame of Las Vegas, New Mexico eventually fell into disrepair and sat semi-boarded up for almost a half-century.Fortunately, architectural preservationist, Allen Affeldt came along and saved the Castaneda– birthing new life into the historic railway hotel.
His multi-million renovation followed close on the heels of his award-winning rescue and restoration of Winslow, Arizona’s historic Fred Harvey Hotel La Posada. Come along and join Allan Affeldt to discover the rest of the story.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO Allan Affeldt’s audo interview
The original Las Vegas—New Mexico’s history, architecture, culture and cuisine
Come along and join us at the historic Plaza Hotel for a meet up with Dennis Ditmanson, retired National Park ranger with three decades in the field, including a stint at the nearby Fort Union National Monument.
We’ll then visit with Yale-graduate architect, Elmo Baca a downtown revitalization expert, historic preservation consultant, proprietor of the Indigo Theater, and a multi-generation Las Vegas resident.
Next up is Sarah Jo Mathews, proprietor of the Prairie Hill Café and Byron T’s Saloon located in the Plaza Hotel in heart of old town Las Vegas.
Mathews shares her passion for not only the historic town of Las Vegas, her diner and saloon, but also the memorable things to do and see in the surrounding area.
As a side-note, when the historic Plaza Hotel first opened back in 1882 it was touted as “The Belle of the Southwest” and the fanciest hotel in all of New Mexico Territory.
The hotel remains as an elegant grand dame, so much so, that it is a frequent Hollywood film location site dating from Tom Mix silent pictures, to the Longmire series, Easy Rider, Vampires, No Country for Old Men, and more.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST INTERVIEW
Note to ghost hunters: the Plaza also has a reputation as one of New Mexico’s most haunted hotels
Artists, murals & thrifting in Old Town Las Vegas, New Mexico
Join correspondent Tom Wilmer in Old Town Las Vegas, New Mexico for an exploration of local art and artists as well as a legendary antique shop, Plaza Antiques, in the heart of Old Town Plaza, for a visit with Melissa and Andy.Join correspondent Tom Wilmer in the heart of Old Town, Las Vegas, New Mexico for an exploration of local art and artists as well as a legendary antique shop—they’re all located on the historic Old Town Plaza, with the iconic Plaza Hotel as the neighborhood anchor.
Next up is Rachel Relin, artist and proprietor of Weave and Gather, situated catty-corner from Plaza Antiques. Rachel shares tales of how she and her husband fell in love with Las Vegas and pulled up anchor in Boulder, Colorado to settle in Las Vegas. Of course Rachel also shares her passion for showcasing an array of art, weavings, rugs and textiles.
We’ll then stop in at El Zocalo Cooperative Art Gallery—a collection of local and regional artists showcasing and selling their work. We’ll chat with artist and volunteer staffer, Meredith Britt.
Last but by no means least, we’ll stop in at Old Town’s legendary Charlie’s Spic & Span Café for a breakfast visit with local artist and social activist, Rock Ulibarri to learn about his passions, missions and his renowned mural in the heart of Old Town, “The People’s History of El Norte”.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIO INTERVIEW
Exploring the Giant Skillet in Las Vegas, New Mexico and a visit with the National Park Ranger at historic Fort Union
Correspondent Tom Wilmer visits with Isaac Sandoval owner of the Skillet in Las Vegas, New Mexico followed by a visit with Ranger Mike Weinstein at Fort Union National Monument.
Isaac Sandoval is the owner and creative visionary at the Giant Skillet eatery in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, New Mexico. Sandoval’s Giant Skillet is a super popular eatery and gathering spot for locals and visitors alike.
We’ll then head out to explore historic Fort Union that served as the largest U.S. Army outpost in the West from 1851 to 1891. Located 30 miles from Las Vegas, New Mexico, the Fort Union National Monument is situated within a sweeping valley of short grass prairie, and along the eroded Santa Fe Trail.
Today remnants of the fort’s adobe walls remain. Come along and join National Park Service ranger, Mike Weinstein for a visit with correspondent Tom Wilmer at the park’s interpretive center.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIO INTERVIEW
Hermits Peak Watershed Alliance—stewarding Northern New Mexico’s land
The Gallinas river was devastated by the largest fire in the state’s history, the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire in 2022. The fire ravaged more than 342,000 acres, including a majority of the upper Rio Gallinas watershed.
The fire destroyed more than 900 structures, including 300 homes. Subsequent floods contaminated watersheds and resulted in drinking water emergencies and mandatory water cuts.
Two years later the surrounding communities and environment continue to experience long-term impacts from flooding, water quality degradation, loss of vegetation, and decreased soil stability and siltation caused by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire.
Come along and join correspondent Tom Wilmer for a riverside visit with Lea Knutson, Executive Director of the non-profit Hermits Peak watershed Alliance to discover the rest of the story.
Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance’s mission is to foster land stewardship to ensure the long-term vitality of the region’s watersheds surrounding Las Vegas New Mexico.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIO INTERVIEW
New Mexico Highlands University—nurturing our forests
Correspondent Tom Wilmer visits with grad-student Noah Aragon, serving as a Crest, field & lab technician at New Mexico Highlands University, Department of Forestry in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Aragon shares insights about the Forestry Department’s multiple missions to shepherd our forests.
New Mexico Highlands University‘s Department of Forestry houses the Forestry and Conservation Management programs. Areas of study focus on the management of forest and rangeland ecosystems, the natural resources and biodiversity they contain, and the ecosystem services they provide.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIO INTERVIEW
Main Street de Las Vegas propels a vibrant Northern New Mexico community
Michael Peranteau shares insights about the community non-profit that shines a light on local businesses in Las Vegas, New Mexico. For the last six years Michael Peranteau has been the Executive Director of Main Street de Las Vegas. There are about 2,000 Main Streets in America and 30 in New Mexico. Raised in Houston & Albuquerque, Peranteau moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico eight years ago after retiring from the art world in Houston. He has become a serious Main Street convert and loves his work with downtown businesses.
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