CELEBRATING SANTA CLARA, NM
Santa Clara, NM  Aug. 17, 2013
When Mayor Richard Bauch requested the Village of Santa Clara’s Board of Trustees to authorize The Committee on History, Culture and Tourism and the vote was in the affirmative, he had no idea whether or not the Committee would have staying power.  He now has his answer.  Under the leadership of Anthony Romero, the year-and-a-half-old Committee continues to grow in size with each new member bringing fresh ideas to the table.  Currently, the Committee is working on two big projects.

            In July, the Committee published a booklet, Juan Arroyos  1819-1876   New Mexico Volunteer Soldier & Spy—United States Army Guide & Scout—Central City Resident.  Money from the book sales is being used to help construct a memorial to Juan Arroyos in the Village’s Cemetery as the wooden cross or field stone used to first mark his grave has disappeared.  The Board of Trustees has contributed a 5 x 8 foot memorial site and Luis Terrazas, owner of Terrazas Funeral Chapels, has donated a marble slab engraved with Arroyos’ accomplishments.  Terrazas is also guiding the Committee through the process of requesting a historical military stone for the Central City patriot.  The Arroyos booklet is available for purchase at the Village Hall located next door to the Post Office.

            It has just been announced that the Committee is the recipient of a grant through The Frontier Communities Initiative of New Mexico.  The Committee, in coordination with Mayor Bauch and the Trustees, will be working on four features of the grant.   A Gateway Entrance for the Village will be created which advertises from Highway 180 the various historical offerings of Santa Clara and, in the Village, a kiosk will be built to visually display our history and culture.   A guided tour will also be planned for visiting tourists.  Last of all, Santa Clara’s logo will be studied to see if it still represents the Village or if it needs to be re-designed.