EL RANCHO DE LAS GOLONDRINAS
(The Ranch Of The Swallows)
Photos
Tourists from Spain head towards the historic fields.
Evidence of ancient habitation show that humans lived in this area long before Spanish conquistadors came into New Mexico. Eventually, El Rancho de las Golondrinas became the last stopping place on El Camino Real, the Royal Road, to Mexico City. In the spring of 1972, the 200 acres were opened to the public as New Mexico's first living museum. A regular schedule of fiestas and other events was instituted. Men and women who remembered the old skills of cultivation, weaving, carpentry, blacksmithing and crafts were invited to the museum to show visitors how a rancho functioned. Below is an extremely small taste of the many historical buildings and items at the Ranch. To show all of what's available would require quite a few large pages. Directions: From Interstate 25, take Exit 276 and travel west approximately 0.3 miles to the first traffic light. Turn left (south) onto the West Frontage Rd and travel 0.6 miles to Los Pinos Rd. Turn right (west) and travel 3.3 miles to the entrance on the left-hand side (east) of the road.
July 2000
The Exhibit Hall features temporary exhibits.
A family displays the techniques of weavers.
Looms are currently used to make all of the blankets and rugs at the Ranch, including those offered for sale.
The Legends Of The West reenact a gunfight with humor, preceded by a word of caution to on-looking children about not going near guns.
This Acequia Madre, Mother Ditch, was used for irrigation water. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places in Washington, D.C.
A blacksmith demonstrates how the blacksmith shop was used.
The Barela Mill was discovered in the mountain village of Las Truchas, the Trouts. The mill separates flour into coarse or fine grind.
For further information, write to El Rancho De Las Golondrinas, 334 Los Pinos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505,
call (505) 471-2261, fax (505) 471-5623, e-mail or check their web site
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