Las Cruces, New Mexico

LAS CRUCES , NEW MEX I CO Missile Range was established in the 1940s after WWII, and is still a major employer for the region. Today, Las Cruces is intrinsically linked to both El Paso and Ciudad Juárez. It is known for the expansive natural beauty of the surrounding mountain ranges, its strong neighborhoods, a thriving downtown with a public plaza, restaurants and retail, a rich cultural history, and pride in each one. Its most prominent natural features—both of which form key components of the area’s identity—are the Organ Mountains to the east and the Rio Grande to the west. Signature buildings downtown include historic buildings, such as the Rio Grande Theatre and Amador Hotel, and modern architecture like the Las Cruces City Hall and Third Judiciary District Courthouse. The arts and cultural scene in Las Cruces is also vibrant with several arts and cultural groups calling Las Cruces home. Las Cruces has continued to grow into the 21st century, and the community has assumed a dual the 1800s. The U.S.-Mexican War ended in 1848 and Americans flocked westward from Texas to California. Las Cruces was established in 1849. In 1854, the Gadsden Purchase between the United States and Mexico secured the southern portions of present-day New Mexico and Arizona as a U.S. territory, including Las Cruces and Doña Ana County. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad came to southern New Mexico, building tracks and a depot in Las Cruces in 1881. The community grew rapidly after the introduction of the railroad; new homes, churches, and schools were built at the end of the 19th century, and in 1888, Las Cruces College opened, which is now New Mexico State University. Given the proximity of the Rio Grande, agriculture is an important feature of Las Cruces history. The construction of the Elephant Butte Dam allowed for more farmers to be more productive in the Mesilla Valley region. The Great Depression caused crop prices to fall dramatically and many did not recover until New Deal programs were put into place. White Sands