El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-10-31

Santa Fe, n. M, Oct. 31.-Santa Ee,
the oldest city in the United States, is
developing surprisingly in its moderni-
II. 1t has already put down one block
of vitrified street paving in one of its
very narrow, old Spanish style business
streets and is preparing for more; it
has already erected and is planning the
erection of a number of modern public
and private buildings and is doing
things that place it in the progress of
modern events.
with its ancient church of San Mi
gueI, the oldest in America; its historic
old Palace of Governors that has
housed the rulers of the territory since
the days that Spain controlled the re-
gion: it's shaded little plaza that has
witnessed many exciting scenes that
made history: its famed old Fort Mar
cy now in crumbling ruins, yet once
one of the nations most notable from
tier posts; its monument to the valor
of Kit Carson, and its other historic
landmarks Santa Fe has much to re-
call a glorious and valorous past, but
Santa Fe, while proud of this HISTORICAL
association is not living in the past
Santa Fe is living in the present and
for the future and Santa Fe citizens
are taking active steps to keep their
city as much in the forefront now as
the noted Santa Fe trail and the seat
of all government for many thousands
of square miles. both ecclesiastical and
civil.
Ecclesiastical Headquarters.
As an ecclesiastical headquarters.
Santa Fe has been famed almost since
the history of North America began to
be made and it still boasts its fmpor-
religion and politics-the life of old
Santa Fe-are both second in the life
Of the Santa Fe of today, although eth
er or both still play large part in the
affairs of the capital of New Mexico.
The archbishop of the diocese is locat-
ed here and also the cathedral of the
district, a gigantic stone structure
built in 1912, destroyed in 1880, recon
structed but still uncompleted mas
much as the spires to the towers have
never been added. Then there is still
the famous old San Miguel mission, de-
clared to be the oldest edifice of wor-
ship in the continent, built in 1898, de-
stroyed in 1890 and rebuilt in ITO and
continuously worshiped in since that
time, though time has worn so many
and forced SO many repairs and
until now but little more
than the foundation and part of the
main walls are all that remain of the
original Surrounding this mission
are the beautiful grounds and ancient
gray buildings Of the Brothers col
lege, that boasts the graduation from
its doors of many of the men famous
In southwestern affairs of today ard
proudly claims to have been the first
boys college west of the Missouri.
river. +,
Adjoining, and just across the Santa |
Fe river, is the convent of the Sisters /
of Uoretto, likewise famous for hav-
ing graduated some of the most nota- /.
bic women of the southwest. Nearby i
are the day schools for boys and girls |
conducted by these same good sisters !
md not far away is the st. Vincent |
orphan home and hospital, another |
Catholic institution with history as |
long as it's record is creditable as an
Institution Of charity and mercy. All
these buildings and the residences of |
the bishop and archbishop are grouped |
along the banks of the river until the
of the church of the
Holy Faith in Santa Fe is a most ex-
tensive one.
A Modern Town.
With all these institutions of ancient
prestige and all its landmarks of an
-iquity, Santa Fe is still modern
own in many respects and is develop
ng day by day in that direction Its
lew homes, its new public buildings its
lew business houses are all taking on
he modern aspect and it's people are
modern in that they are strictly I'D to
he times in their business affairs. |
One of the strong indications of the
modern tendency of the people is the
lew courthouse just completed. 1t d.
erS from almost every courthouse in
he country, in that it is commodious
nd convenient and free from freak
construction. 1t is a large. square |
structure of mission design. without
my pretentionS of frillS or towers.
here is nothing expensive and incon-
5ruous about it. The building was
erected for service and it is both SER
7iceable, and most pleasing in archi-
lecture. 1t is built in keeping with
he government idea followed in the
of modern federal build
ngs. Room and accessibility are first
considered, and in getting these the
commissioners also got structure
hat is a credit to5the town. and shows
santa Fe to be modern in it's ideas in
hat it sets an example that other cities
an well follow.
The public library, the Mary Jams
chool, the E1ks' theater, the new high
chool building, the armory and many
f the residences are of modern de-
ign, mostly mission, in keeping with