Jemez Springs Historic Site

This place is the ruins of the village built by the ancestors of the current residents of Jemez Springs.

From the official web site for this place, we learn

Jemez Historic Site protects the ancient village of Gisewa and the San Jose de los Jemez mission church. At Jemez you can learn about the culture of the people of Gisewa (pronounced GEE-say-wah) and the role the Franciscan mission played in the colonization of New Mexico, the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, and New Mexico as we know it today. This is one of the best-preserved sites you will see in the American Southwest.

Gisewa is an ancestral 14th century village of the present-day Jemez Pueblo, a sovereign nation of 3,400 members, about 60 percent of whom live on tribal land. Its full name Gisewatowa (GEE-say-wah tuu-wah), is a Jemez word that translates to "Village by the Sulfur", a reference to the multitudes of hot springs in the area. For hundreds of years, Gisewa and other villages in the region were home to the people who call themselves the Hee-meesh, which the Spanish, interpreted as "Jemez". The villagers of Gisewa raised corn, squash, and beans; in addition to hunting game and collecting herbs.

In the winter of 1540-41, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado and his entourage of 400 Spaniards, at least 1,500 Native American allies, four Franciscan friars, and dozens of African slaves overtook the Tiwa village of Kuaua (now Coronado Historic Site),about 40 miles to the southeast, and camped nearby for the winter. From there, Coronado sent an exploration party under the direction of Captain Francisco de Barrionuevo, who reported visiting Gisewa. In 1598 Don Juan de Onate led Spanish settlers to colonize and Christianize New Mexico. The first missionary assigned to Gisewa was Fray Alonso de Lugo, who constructed a small church here around 1598.

The remains of the church are seen below.

There are a many structures whose remains can be seen today. This was clearly an significant settlement.

It is hard to imagine life in such a primitive setting. These people were hardy and determined. It is a great loss for all of us that their city was lost. At least their people survive and preserve their culture. Fot this, we can all be thankful.