The lands around Santa Fe were originally settled by the Tewa people before the Spanish settled there in 1598 and made it a province of New Spain. In 1607, the second Spanish governor founded the city of Santa Fe and made it the capital of the region. It has remained the capital ever since, making Santa Fe the oldest state capital in the United States.

In 1680, the Native Americans ousted the Spanish, but continued to use their capital building as their seat of government. It was reconquered by the Spanish in 1682, but the new government offered more representation to the native peoples. When Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1824, the area around Santa Fe became part of Mexico.

In 1846, the US attacked Mexico and claimed the New Mexico territory for the United States. It became a major trade stop, bringing cloth and manufactured goods into the area and taking out fur, wool and turquoise. But in the 1870’s, railroads were constructed in the region that bypassed Santa Fe, impacting the economy severely. It changed from a thriving trade center to a small artist community known for good air for tuberculosis patients. But in 1926, Rt. 66 was constructed through Santa Fe, bringing a new wave of tourists and visitors. The arts of the native people, namely jewelry, pottery and weaving, caused people to stop on their journey and it became a popular place to visit, with many people staying in the La Fonda Hotel on the plaza. In 1912, New Mexico became the 47^th state, and Santa Fe, with a population of 5,000 people, was named its capital.

Today Santa Fe has a population of about 87,000 people. Its unique culture is a combination of Native American, Spanish, Mexican and United States cultures, reflected in its architecture, festivals, food and arts.