By Mark Wing, based on research by Paul and Marilyn Duncan and Dave Ferro. Photos by Mark Wing (unless otherwise noted).
The fall tour this year was based in Las Vegas, NM. Las Vegas is a city in New Mexico’s San Miguel County with a population of approximately 13,000 people in 2020. It’s located 65 miles east of Santa Fe and 122 miles northeast of Albuquerque. Las Vegas was established in 1835 when the Mexican government provided a land grant to a group of settlers. The city, was designed in a traditional Spanish Colonial style with buildings located around a central plaza for defensive purposes. In 1846, during the Mexican-American War, it was in the Las Vegas Plaza where New Mexico was claimed for the United States. Las Vegas was a popular stop along the Santa Fe Trail that brought commerce and wealth. The peak of Las Vegas’ influence and prosperity coincided with the rise of railroads in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. When New Mexico became a State in 1912, Las Vegas was the most populated city in the State. Today, the city can claim 900 structures in and around Las Vegas that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This tour was organized by our club President, Paul Duncan; our Treasurer, Marilyn Duncan; and our club Secretary Dave Ferro. The tour included three days of driving during which we were able to experience and learn about the unique history of Las Vegas and its importance in the story of New Mexico. Of special focus was the historical Santa Fe Trail and Fort Union.
This tour was different than ones in the past as we had to deal with COVID issues including lack of help in restaurants, closures or partial closures and modified hours. In addition, the city of Las Vegas was in the midst of a major infrastructure project that had recently torn up Bridge St., the main road from the East into West Las Vegas, as well as the streets around the Plaza. The Tin Lizzies of Albuquerque had last toured in Las Vegas in August, 2012 when we also stayed at the Plaza Hotel. Since our last visit, the hotel is under new ownership and has been remodeled to expand into the Ilfield building next door. Our rooms were located in both the traditional Plaza Hotel as well as in the newly renovated annex. We were warmly greeted by the Las Vegas residents and had an opportunity to speak to several prominent local car collectors.
Seven cars and twenty-one club members and guests participated in this tour. Members came from diverse geographic locations such as the Albuquerque, Corrales, Rio Rancho, Milan, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, and Portales, NM; Durango, CO; El Paso, TX; and as far away as Gettysburg, PA and Hollywood, MD. When we first arrived in Las Vegas, we unloaded our cars, checked into the Plaza Hotel, and registered for the tour. Mark Wing’s low band pedal was severely out of adjustment probably due to incorrect low band cam geometry. The low band engaged correctly only when below the level of the floorboards. The upper floorboard was removed for the rest of the tour and Larry Azevedo was able to make an impromptu repair that allowed the sticking low band pedal to return once depressed. Thanks to Larry’s repair, Mark was able to successfully participate in all the tour activities!
Our first official activity was a Historic Walking Tour of Bridge St. & the Plaza conducted by Jan Buerskens from the Las Vegas Citizens Committee for Historic Preservation.
Jan took us on a tour on Bridge Street, into the Plaza, and surrounding streets with interesting and historic commercial and residential buildings.
In the evening we made the short trek to JC’s New York Pizza Department located on the Plaza. Due to Covid restrictions, our choices were to eat outside in the patio area or upstairs in a large open space. The food at this pizza restaurant was very good, but the place was seriously understaffed like a lot of the businesses in New Mexico and across the country.
Several members stayed in the plaza after dinner to socialize and to talk to the local residents.
Click on links (below) to access other tour days:
Sept. 22 – Following the Santa Fe Trail Tour, Day 1, Plaza Hotel
Sept. 23 – Following the Santa Fe Trail Tour, Day 2, Fort Union
Sept. 24 – Following the Santa Fe Trail Tour, Day 3, Pecos
Sept. 25 – Following the Santa Fe Trail Tour, Day 4, Mora
Sept. 26 – Following the Santa Fe Trail Tour, Day 5, return home