NEW MEXICO: Full Of Decrepit Shacks & Old Churches - The Stark Beauty Of "The Land Of Enchantment"
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2023
- I visited the small city of Las Vegas, New Mexico. Then Nic & I together visited the New Mexico State capitol building, the San Miguel Church (There oldest church in the United States), then the Loretto Chapel, home to the Miraculous Staircase. At the end, we visited a highly recommended local restaurant.
Joe's Instagram: / joeysroadtrip
Travel Vlog 262
As a born and raised New Mexican, I'm glad that our older cities are getting more attention and that people are learning more about our history. So thank you.
My great grandfather William Letcher was co owner of the Plaza Hotel. You can still see faded lettering on the side of the building “Ilfield & Letcher”. It was quite emotional for me when I went back ..unfortunately during Covid ..to lay my hands on the cold stone wall of the building gazing into the ballroom. They put all their goods on 45 donkeys and traveled all the way from Taos to Las Vegas to open the store..quite remarkable!
Wow!
Beautiful story! My great grandfather traveled from Meoqui, Chihuahua. Moved him and his wife to El Paso, TX where they started a farm. Moved to the Hatch Valley and opened chile Farms.
I've seen the name Ilfield on a big old brick building in Santa Rosa NM. Don't recall seeing Letcher, but it was pretty faded. It sits to the north of route 66 a few blocks west of the courthouse
I think I prefer Las Vegas, New Mexico over LV Nevada.
In New Mexico we call town squares 'plazas' I love the hotsprings and arm and hammer world college in Las Vegas, NM ❤😊
I was born in New Mexico and lived in Las Cruces for many years. I am always happy to see anything about N.M.
In Las Vegas, just a short walk from the "Howdy" cowgirl sign (7:26), across Grand Avenue, is E Lincoln St, the location of a bar Doc Holliday once owned in 1879. It's the 4th storefront off of Grand and is a one-story building.
I love the amount of research you do and share with us about the towns in your videos. That alone sets your channel apart from so many others. I started following you from nearly the start, saw you add so much into the videos and watched your channel grow -- well-deserved! Thank you for all your work!
Yes. Just found them recently. Learning so much❤❤❤
Honestly, I never heard of Las Vegas, New Mexico. Fascinating town in many ways with a beautiful main street. Santa Fe is known for having a cool vibe . Thank you again for allowing many people to get acquainted with parts of this country that rarely gets any exposure.
Thanks, Jeff!
Red Dawn the movie was filmed in Las Vegas, NM in 84’ , Patrick Swayze in it 👍🏽
Yes. This country has been polished and burnished by Joe and Nic and their wonderful travels and insight!
I always enjoy you and the wife’s interesting and educational travels. Thank you for educating everyone. Also, you give many of us travelers ideas for interesting vacation locations with a lot of history. Stay safe. 🙂
As a Canadian from Toronto, Ontario, I must say I love your videos.
How are ya now?
I miss my home state, I lived there went to school, got married, had my children there , and I will return to NM, when when I die.
Lived in Lincoln county New Mexico in the capitan mountains since 97 . Viva New Mexico.
Hey thanks, I've been everywhere too. Nic is warming nicely to camera.
I like your vids, no stress, just driving around looking at stuff.👍
Ah,my home state- born and raised in Alamogordo. New Mexico has many beautiful places especially the mountains and White Sands. Spent most of my youth trapsing through the Sacramento mountains and the desert hunting arrowheads. I miss her. Great place to visit.
That church and staircase are awesome. I never would have guessed that the oldest church was in New Mexico. Its a cool state. Thanks for sharing. Safe travels.
Thanks for doing some of NM.
I moved from the Pacific Northwest to Taos 22 years ago and have never regretted the move. It’s stunningly beautiful here year round. The mix of cultures is wonderful.
FYI: As you look at the San Miguel chapel, there’s a small street on the left. In your film one can see some adobe houses on the street to the left. The unprepossessing brown adobes are some of, if not the oldest houses in Santa Fe.
Another awesome film, as expected - thanks.
I used to live in Las Vegas and in Santa Fe. Thanks for the video!
Seeing that miraculous winding staircase was worth watching the entire video. Thanks, folks...
I’m not complaining, but I thought you guys were going to rest awhile 😂. For my enjoyment I’m glad you’re Back On The Road Again
9:45 That is the "Harvey House." Harvey houses were a string of hotels built in trainyards, early 20th century. With the decline of passenger rail (and rise of Amtrak) in the late 1960's, the Harvey Houses were closed. This particular Harvey House was used in the filming of Red Dawn (1984), late in the movie. Exterior scenes of the TV series Roswell New Mexico were also filmed in Las Vegas.
Interesting! Thanks for the info.
This one was renovated and reopened. As far as I know, it is still open. There are Google reviews of their restaurant as recent as a couple of weeks ago.
@@alkanista Thank you. I read a magazine article, oh 12-15 years ago, about how a couple was trying to renovate it. I guess that they, at least partially, succeeded. There is another, in Belen, that has been turned into a museum.
Absolutely fascinating adventure! I never knew there was a Las Vegas New Mexico. It was a very cool place but to be honest, I didn't see a house that was worth more than $40-50,000.
Santa Fe is such a marvelous place! Interesting that you were at the Lorretto Chapel. There was an episode on Unsolved Mysteries from the early 1990's telling the mystery of the staircase. So very cool 🤠👍🏻. You two rock and I can't tell you how much I appreciate your adventures. Thank you Joe and Nicole 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤠👍🏻
i didnt even see a house i would every consider living in 😋
You didn't see a house worth more because this video chose to present a very biased view of the town, showing only the poorest residential areas. While it is certainly not a wealthy town, there are plenty of nice old houses. There's also a university with a pleasant campus, which didn't even get a mention.
Most of the more expensive housing in the area is not in the city, but in the surrounding countryside and villages. Unfortunately, last year's enormous forest fire, the largest in NM history, did destroy some of that more upscale housing.
@@wr2009People like seeing the bad areas lol
@@minime8048I would pick almost any tbh
I prefer owning than renting a space
I have been to Las Vegas, NM at least three times in my past, stayed at the Plaza Hotel and a lovely bed and breakfast. The neighborhoods around the library boost several gorgeous Victorians and beautiful homes with nice yards. Unfortunately, there is not enough revenue in the city’s coffers to spruce up some of the area. Joe spoke of the famous gunslingers that roamed the streets, one thing he didn’t mention or probably didn’t know is that Billy the Kid was thrown in jail which was located near the Plaza Hotel. A wonderful day trip from Santa Fe.
Nicole is adorable and always adds an extra dimension to your videos. As if she's seeing it through the eyes of the viewer and making the right comments and asking the right questions.😊
Every time I watch your videos, I'm usually starving by the end, I wonder way!
I love the trips and restaurant reviews, thank you!
The circular capitol building was very cool! My favorite capitol building so far. And the circular staircase in the church is so beautiful. I wonder if the choir actually used it without railings? I can't even imagine going up and down the staircase without railings!
That mural was painted when the movie Red Dawn was filmed in the Las Vegas, NM area.
난 미국 도시 여행할때 이것저것 설명해주는 이사람거 본다. 영어발음도 편해서 알아듣기도 좋다. 강추 I like your explanation easy to listen. Seems like as if I am travel in the US. Thanks From s Korea.
And those meals looked good.
What a fascinating video. I love the spiral staircase. That Loretto Chapel is absolutely beautiful. I wonder if the staircase was carved. Either way it is just beautiful. I'm so glad you guys take us along with you. The food looks delish! God bless and safe travels. 💗
Expensive lunch! Very nice town.
My ex-bf from high school’s aunt and uncle lived in LV,NM… they unfortunately died on hwy 666 on their way to El Paso TX….. just something that I’ll never forget about that town. Still makes sad for his family. Even though it’s been 35 yrs.
Surprised anyone would designate a road 666. Think I would find another route.🫣😳
That family on Christmas or Christmas Eve?
@@janettetorrez9218 it could have been either but if I remember correctly, it was Christmas Eve.
@@janettetorrez9218 Now that I think about it… it actually might have been New Years Eve. (My bf’s relatives were in a Jeep) I remember it was a drunk driver that killed them and it was his 4 or 5 DUI. The DD survived. 😑
Appreciate TH-camrs like you that show love to the culture & New Mexico 🤝🏽
That staircase and the backstory is simply amazing! Boggles the mind. I'm in awe!
san miguel church is the name of every church in dozens of western movies, when you walked in it looked just like the inside of the church from "shanghai noon" starring jackie chan and owen wilson at least the set was inspired by it and the bell was even part of it
A lot of history in New Mexico thanks brother 👍
New Mexico is completely different from every other state in the union. Heavy Native American Culture, Spanish, and Mexican culture.
The Plaza played a role in the film adaptation of the late Cormac McCarthy's "No Country For Old Men." The hotel was where Chigurh captured and killed Carson Wells. McCarthy, btw, was a resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Good movie
Also the “crossing the border” scenes were filmed on the bridge over the interstate on the middle exit into Las Vegas…
It's amazing to me how all these small downtowns look the same despite where they are located in the USA! Same building designs, layout, etc. It's really nostalgic and sad seeing some of these downtowns in your past videos that are now abandoned and decaying. I always wonder what these downtowns looked like back in their glory days. All the buildings occupied with small business. Lots of foot traffic supporting them. I love seeing old pictures of these small downtown areas at Christmas time with the lights and decorations up back in a simpler time in America.
I really enjoy your videos of these old towns. Nice job.
Wow 1610 church. That’s old.
Omy, cool. Thanks
Thanks!
Thank you!!
The church staircase was amazing !! Thanks for telling us the story about it Joe !
Nice to see Nic n Joe back on the road again so soon. Love all the fascinating places and history. Plenty on my bucket list now. Remember Joe, Plymouth Duster Mercury Cougar 😊
The Governor just suspended gun rights from the citizens
Las Vegas NM is one of my favorite small towns. Thanks for covering it!
That Calumet mural is leftover there from the movie "red dawn" that was filmed there in the 80s featuring Patrick swayze...if I remember correctly anyway
This was so interesting and very educational. The churches were incredible. Always good to see. Thank you.
Love "old" churches - I live in the UK and old churches are as an example St Martins in AD 597! 👍
Enjoyed Las Vegas, NM and the history you sharing today. The oldest Church was awesome to see close up, Thanks Nicole for lighting a candle... Chills came over me with the back story of the Miraculous Stairway, so cool. Loved the Stations of the Cross in the second Chapel. Thanks Joe & Nicole for sharing, see ya next video...
I, again, enjoy your repartee and easy going style of narrative. My best to and your wife!
Many thanks!
Thank you Joe and Nic! Such a beautiful town, Santa Fe is! And the churches are incredible!! Safe journey, friends!!! 💞
How crazy is that i just spent last night there on my way back to tucson
Fantastic video again. The stair case is mind blowing to say the least.
It’s amazing, key.
wow i sure would love to own that 1970 Mercury Cougar at 8:30 that was parked in front of Body shop. About 1977 or 78 a friend of mine had one that was lime green with a Black top it had a 351 Cleveland in it and it would really run. i was 13 or 14 and he was 17 or 18. we once had 12 or 13 teen aged girls in it with us. memories .....
Amazing church. I wish I could see in person. The staircase is a miracle.
Welcome to the Land of Enchantment. Pretty exciting to see ya'll in my state, Love your videos. 🙏
Thank you, you two for the educational information & enlightenment !
How's the new Jeep working out? A few things missing in this video are the mileage on the vehicle, the price of gas, and of course the all important cat sighting!
So far so good. 😀
Thank you! So enjoyable! Love seeing Nicole getting stamps at the Capitol , its so sweet how you both get that done ❤️❤️
You tell some interesting stories. You bring these small towns to life.
I am surprised you don't have New York yet
@@WhittyPicsThey messed up
Hubby & I love your videos! We are from Belen, NM. He's originally from England.
If you watch Red Dawn (1984) , a lot of these locations can be seen in this movie. The Longmire series was filmed there, too.
Enjoying your travels. Thanks for posting.
Wow, those churches are absolutely amazing! Thank you for such a thorough and engaging tour of both of them. I had never heard of Las Vegas, New Mexico, prior to your video, and now I really want to visit. Hope that restaurant is still around when I make it there.
I could watch the Texas and southwest videos all day. Another excellent video! Thanks Joe and Nic. Stay safe in your travels!
Glad I found this page great information on different states and the cities
Hi Joe & Nic, we really enjoy your videos! My wife and I always bet on what Nicole will eat for lunch. We’re usually correct in our guesses 😀
Thank you for sharing all these wonderful states and towns. ❤❤
That was a fascinating road trip! Thanx 4 the vid! BTW that food looked delicious! Stay safe.
Sad so many beautiful building . They don t make beautiful building like these any more thanks for another great video Really enjoy them all
That's so cool. About the oldest church. Wow. And the stair case. Look forward to seeing your videos. And learning about each town and the vital statistics of the towns
Ive been a NM resident for 10 years. A bit like stepping back in time! I ve learned more about New Mexico watching your video than ive picked up on my own in the past 10 years😂...thanks for the education ❤
The best thing about living in west Texas is that is close to New Mexico...the land of enchantment. Always had a wonderful time there.
What a contrast to the NE those figures ! Southern charm ? Eery area has it´s ups and downs. What great work bring this to us !
Very interesting! Another enjoyable ride along🎉
Many thanks!
With the buildings and history you would think tourism would do well. But the neglect has gone on for too long. Those old hotels could be brought around.
Great video, much appreciated!
I've only been to New Mexico a couple of times and from what I've seen it's a beautiful and interesting state your video confirms that. Another great video.
Thanks 😊 Joe and nic 😊
The Castaneda is OPEN. It is a lovely place to stay. There is a restaurant and a bar on the main floor and a lovely patio. You should have driven down 8th Street and 6th Street and the United World College at Montezuma.
Thank you for sharing the incredible story of the staircase wow just really makes you believe
I love the state of New Mexico - I had a good friend there ,(fellow trumpet player) we were to make 2 bases for playing music, alas, he died in 2014.
I love the food, architecture and general vibe. What a great state - I haven't been to Santa Fe, have to see it sometime
Fascinating video guys … great work. If those old buildings and churches could talk what incredible stories they could tell. Being from the Southwest (Arizona) I really enjoyed this one.
I want all that yummy food from Santa Fe. Thanks once again Joe & N and I con't wait for your video from Arizona
My husband and I took Amtrak from our home in Albuquerque to Las Vegas last summer (July 2023) on a lark. It was $30 one way. We stayed overnight at the newly-renovated Castaneda Hotel. It was a Harvey House hotel in its day. (It was open and you should have checked it out.) We walked around and saw the sights of Las Vegas and came home the next day. I wish someone rich would invest some capital into the town. It could be a great tourist destination, but the people there are poor and their historic homes are getting run down.
I really appreciate I learned alot from you
Oh no! Don't show how cool and unique New Mexico is. We like to keep it a secret 😂.
Thank you again for lovely travel
Another great video. Thanks.
I just discovered your channel. I love how you travel off the beaten path to show us the side of town that we don't normally get to see. Very interesting!
Yea that is amazing about that staircase!!
Downtown Las Vegas might look familiar to some people because that was the location for the Absaroka Sheriff office in the fictional town of Durant WY in TV series Longmire.
Hey guys, love this video. I appreciated all the info about the churches, that was great! Enjoy all your videos. Wishing you well.
Thank you!
Yummy!!!. Rooftop nachos ❤😂
Dude had madd REAL carpenter skills when he built those stairs
Very enjoyable trip with a lot of unique architecture.
They should’ve went to Albany, NY to get their book stamped
I went to a concert at the San Miguel church not long ago. The altar is magnificent. The adobe walls are very thick, allowing temperature regulation.
wow so cool town also santafe,nw that church is so cool too i like indainds ty joy nic video lots fun
I have never heard of Las Vegas New Mexico. Thank you for your exploration ethic, I have learn a lot about different states and regions their history.
I ate at a Santa Fe restaurant back in the 90s. I don’t remember the name of the place but they served chili (red or green were the choices) with every meal. Even if you requested no chili you still got some. I don’t remember if I got red or green chili but it was the hotter of the two. I drank about 4 cups of water and had ice cream cake to put out the fire in my mouth. A good lunch but damn that chili was hot!
So interesting to hear about the unknown carpenter (angel). Beautiful city, thank you for the tour.
Dank dir komm ich vom Sofa aus trough the USA . Thank so lot!
👍Yes, definitely has a wistful , nostalgic beauty: with high, deep, inland Pacific Ocean skies; handsome mixed-ancestry (and Territorial) architecture; and the fading lace of a feminine Latino who remains attractive even in her old age. 👍
The Casteneda Hotel in Las Vegas next to the train depot is open, and has a very nice restaurant with local craft beers on tap. It was the very first Harvey Hotel built along the Santa Fe railroad line. Fascinating video.