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Charles Perry
505-864-8159
61Vista Del Rio
Belen, NM 87002
perryphoto58@juno.com
Welcome to Friendly Belen
10 Modern Stations
27 Restaurants
5 Motels
1 Campground
After the demise of Spanish ownership and power the American Government purchased ‘New Spain‘, a new land and yet another new time was born. In 1926 work was begun on Route 66 connecting Chicago to sunny California. A new era for commerce and for the travelers of the United States.
Now this two lane highway having once connected a restless country to California, hesitates- in time, yet another New Mexico connection and a reflection of the past. Time, though, has not been kind to this old highway 66. Remnants of a reckless past and a glimpse of the history can be seen. Albuquerque, the largest city, harbors “old town” , still with the old European style shops and southwest cuisine, celebrating days of Spanish influence. European influence is obvious in the small villages south to Socorro.
The many symbols and scars left by the ‘old‘ Route 66 disintegration can today be seen, old gas stations-two pumps with the glass ball on top, the empty roadside building having once been known as the place to get a “homemade flapjack”. Today’s graveyards are stark reminders of yesterday; and how we had lived then- and live today.
The Matanza- This celebration of neighbors, friends and family started with the rodeos. The butchering of an animal today it is a pig. Cooked of a burner, frequently over coals underground all day while the party enjoys it’s community spirit. Today it is making a come back in New Mexico and is a big part of the Rio Grande Valley and Belen culture.
Historic Belen is the center of the Rio Grande Valley or Rio Abajo. Founded in the year 1740 by Captain Don Diego de Torres and his brother-in-law Antonio Salazar. It is located at the north end of the Chihuahua Desert. Belen means Bethlehem and is a place where hard working people with an extensive family history live.
The El Camino Real along the Rio Grande is a reminder of those mighty teams pulling wagons and soldiers up the thousand mile stretch from Mexico. Today-Highway 47 road signs depict the history of this first highway and are the only symbols of the highways triumphant attainment. 1000 years before the Spanish this was the main road for travelers. Today the Camino Real Center in Socorro pays tribute to our first major highway. The junipers and elms is home to wildlife and exotic birds, their history is the rivers’ history.
Well known residence such as Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, Geronimo all have touched this area. Pottery shards strewn about the desert floor tell of a time past- Mexico and Santa Fe had become trading partners using the first north south highway known as the El Camino Real across New Spain.
Much older than the arrival of Spain itself. The El Camino Real was a lifeline running alongside the Rio Grande from Santa Fe into Mexico. Travelers, explorers, miners and traders had used the El Camino Real to build not only Santa Fe and towns along the river but a legacy for the historic southwest.
The sun bleached historical road markers are the only memories of “Highway One”-all that is left to remind us. Rugged legacies of the lives given of the people. Only the river still flows against the east bank, travelers of today are reminded of those who first settled here.
The outback areas with endless roads seemingly go forever. A culturally unique history where a past reputation could only precede itself. Route 66 road signs are monuments to the once popular road. Route 66 and the Kings Highway were more than roads, they were the pinnacle of a new civilization, building commerce from north to south and east to west.
Highway ‘systems’ with a populace of travelers settling a western world where Spanish and Indian history seemed to disappear then return. New personifications of a people coming into their own, in a multi-tiered eco-system seen only in New Mexico.
Belen became the Hub City for the railroad in the 1880’s. A town begun as hacienda’s. Sitting on the El Camino Real built commerce and trade-today the “Hub City” commuter train from Belen to Bernalillo then to Santa Fe and back celebrates that tradition and has been added to the family of trains improving commerce and trade. .
THE HARVEY HOUSE MUSEUM
Built in 1901 as a railroad hotel by the Santa Fe , it was acquired by the Fred Harvey organization, remodeled becoming one of the Harvey Houses in the country. Once as many as fifteen Houses existed in the state. Today is only one of five New Mexico Houses left. Today it is a community center and headquarters for the Historical Society.
Central Hotel-Once a rooming house for the railroad. Across the street from the Belen Hotel Gallery. It appeared frequently in the 1970 Bette Davis film Bunny O’Hare.
Belen Hotel Gallery includes the private studios of world renowned artist Judy Chicago and Donald Woodman-individual and group tours by appointment.
Through the Flower/ an affiliate of the Belen Hotel Gallery and located across the street near the historic railyard district. Open to the public Monday-Thursday.
P&M Farm Museum south of Belen on Jarales Rd. A farm collection of everything from butter churns to bells. Manuela and Pablo Chavez collect as a labor of love.
Veterans War Memorial- A dedication to those who have served their country.
Puerta del Sol sculpture by Gallup artist Armando Alvarez at the bottom of Tome Hill north of Belen. This sculptor piece also known as La Puerta del Sol, Gateway to the Sun, honors the El Camino Real.
The Bosque-translates to “woods” in Spanish
The wetland Rio Grande, is today a government maintained and historic ecosystem that grows indigenous birds and some imported plants. Porcupine, deer, Sand Hill Cranes, Canadian Geese. Nesting birds and migratory birds. Protected in managed sanctuaries by The Fish and Game . Food and herbal medicines once were derived from these plants as treatments for an ancient desert civilization. Today many of these plants still exist along the river. Planted by the wind, natures own gardener or by a Native American farmer or dropped from a wagon or carreta.
Bosque del Apache meaning “ woods of the Apache” and the Bernardo Wildlife Reserve are sanctuaries within this historic natural world. Showcased in the winter months with Snow Geese, Sand-Hill Cranes and other migratory birds spending warm winters in a managed environment.
Bernardo Wildlife Refuge is on U.S. Highway 60, ten miles south of Belen and home to bird species some migratory. The Sand-hill Crane and Egrets walk playfully in the river while feeding, keeping safe distance from onlookers. Other bird species calling a chorus of sounds are continuous. This is a bird watchers paradise it is home to 250-300 bird species some migratory. The Sand-hill Crane, wading near the murky edges of the sand bar. Other bird species calling out a chorus with their own unique sounds are continuous. The Spanish and Native Americans must have been mesmerized with this feeding ground in ‘their’ backyard. For today’s birdwatcher it is a paradise.
Casa Colorada Wildlife Area is today 423 acres of wildlife. Snow Geese, blue-phase geese and Ross’ Geese as well as pheasants, small mammals. Working in conjunction with the University of New Mexico to conserve the wildlife.
CEJA MESA-Belen/Alexander Airport
The Alexander Airport is located on the high mesa to the west of Belen overlooking the Rio Grande Valley. It provides full services for most all of GA aircraft. It currently is home to some 50 aircraft and growing. Some turbo props and light aircraft are busy flying and landing and charting trips across the southwest. Accessible going west on Camino de Llano.
Salinas Pueblo-Abo Ruins-Gran Quivera National Monument.
Juan de Onate said salt to be “one of four riches of New Mexico.” By 1598 he turned up no mines of gold or silver or other riches other than salt. Well-intentioned Franciscans stayed in an abused system of slavery though the cultural conflict between the Spanish and Indian devastated the Salinas Pueblo. Today the ruins echoes memories of this once bustling agricultural community. Open daily except Christmas. A 45 minute drive from Belen on Highway 60 to Mountainaire.
The Monzano Mountain Wilderness
36,970 acres of hiking trails. Cibola National Forest is Belen’s backyard and playground. These accessible trails network both sides of the mountain with picnic areas. Elevations from 6,000 feet to 10,098 feet at Manzano Peak. See the district office in Mountainaire for recreation advice.
The University of New Mexico-Valencia Campus
These hallowed halls present educational opportunities to the people of the Rio Grande Valley. A continuing educational opportunity otherwise lost. It is a link to the main campus in Albuquerque and a beginning for many people in the Valley. In Tome turn off Highway 47 follow the signs.
Anna Becker City Park
Originally purchased by German immigrant John Becker. It was given to the city and was
the site of the only lake in Belen. Today on Reinken Avenue it is used for recreation and the site of the Farmers Market in mid-late summer.
Multi-Purpose Park
Soccer , baseball, tennis and more. A park for everyone north of the Belen High School on Delgado Drive. New and loved by the city athletes, including police and fireman who stay fit jogging the track. Youth sports and high school athletics are a part of the recreation. Children’s accessible activities.
Tierra del Sol Country Club
Golfing, swimming and tennis are just a few of the amenities available at the club. Weddings and receptions catered and after hours refreshments. It is popular with golfers because of the year around mild temperatures and view of the Monzano Mountains. Homes access the golf course sharing in the beautiful mornings on the greens.
The People of Belen
Belen, an experience in history -of the Spanish, the Indians, the Buffalo Soldiers multiculturalism and a racially blended society. A desert outback, home to the ruins of different cultures, pieces of the past- a snapshot in history.
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