Home to the historic Mesilla Plaza National Monument, the Town of Mesilla is located just south of Las Cruces near the Rio Grande River. Since its’ beginning, around 1848, Mesilla has had a major influence on the economic, cultural, historical, and political life of the Mesilla Valley. From the Gadsden Purchase, to the Civil War, to the Butterfield Stage Coach Trail, to the trial of Billy the Kid, –Mesilla has been a prominent part of the rich history of the Southwest.

Today, Mesilla has a population of nearly 2,200 residents, many of whom are direct descendents of Mesilla’s early settlers. Mesilla has a rich and diverse heritage with the integration of Indian, Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo-American cultures. Perhaps the greatest import of the past history is the physical character of the community itself. The traditional adobe structures and architectural features modified through time because of style and technology still remain as a reminder of the long and significant history of the town.

From the blog: