On Saturday, August 4-6, 2023, former and current residents of Costilla-Amalia, New Mexico and neighboring communities will come together in celebration of 175 years of a Costilla-Amalia settlement dating back to 1848.
Costilla and Amalia have been agricultural and ranching communities which also include sawmills, tourist attractions (fishing, hunting in Amalia). They are also home to many who graduated from the local (now closed) Costilla High School, then set their sights on the city, yet never forgot their home.
A 15-member committee, chaired by this writer, Pauline Rivera, formed in 2021 to plan this awesome historic event. How many times does anyone have the opportunity to celebrate 175 years . . . of anything?
On this historical weekend, kicked off by an incredible parade to include families and their family banners, military personnel, veterans, floats, vintage cars, local businesses and other groups. Our beautiful local churches, Sagrado Corazón in Costilla, established in 1865, the Santo Nino Church in Amalia, the Sacred Heart Church in Garcia, established in 1944 are part of this beautiful event. Many returning for the first time in years, come home to celebrate with pride. The main ceremony is scheduled on Saturday, August 5 at the Plaza de Arriba hosted by Dennis and Miriam Santistevan. The ceremony includes a memorable opening, notable speakers, entertainment slated as a Torres Musical presentation by the Torres Family, titled Mi Tierra, Mi Gente. Food, arts and jewelry vendors are scheduled to provide the best of the best and music is scheduled by Gino Rael and the Mighty Nice Band, other entertainment, and New Mexico’s own, Roberto Griego that evening.
Costilla and Amalia, two little villages in northern New Mexico both have a long list of A-listers, people who went on to higher education and became professionals in their field. Also, many successful locals tried their hand at farming, ranching, surveying and other private businesses.
Commercially, many family-owned businesses earned their living by way of grocery stores, gas stations, post offices, community halls, restaurants and more. We will pay tribute to the many that helped their community survive. The Malouff, Martinez, Lovato, Meyer and Gallegos families are but a few of those merchants.
The community boasts a once heavily student populated Costilla High School that educated students from Costilla, Amalia, Garcia, Questa and Cerro. In 1965 due to a shift in population and the opening of Moly Corp., Costilla students were then accommodated at Questa High School.
The town of Costilla is home to an S.P.M.D.T.U (Sociedad Protección Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos) chapter, where my late father Fermin Padilla was once president. Founded by Celedonio Mondragon, the S.P.M.D.T.U is the oldest Hispanic organization founded in 1900 in an effort to protect property and civil rights. The home office was based out of Antonito, Colorado and its historic building still stands. Today, a Denver chapter still exists, whose focus is education and providing scholarships for Hispanic students.
Another organization that serves the Costilla and Amalia communities, is the RCCLA (Rio Costilla Co-operative Land Association), now a membership organization that owns thousands of acres of land that was orginally slated from a Spanish land grant as part of the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The community enjoys the benefits.
Amalia has been a tourist attraction for decades, with its scenic views, the Box Canyon, the beautiful Latir Lakes for fishing and mountains for hiking and hunting. This writer spent many a weekend and 4th of July holiday in this best kept secret.
In its heyday it has been reported that Costilla and surrounding areas, boasted close to 10,000 in population. Today, both communities hang on to their decreased populations but the pride of so many who were born and raised in those communities will never die.
Thanks to our sponsors, LaVozColorado, Albertson’s Market, Farmers Insurance/Taos and Duran’s Gas & Grocery. Thanks to the generous and gracious people who contributed to the effort that proudly celebrates the Costilla-Amalia 175th Anniversary Reunion – 1848-2023.
So, Mi Tierra, Mi Gente, reserve your room, your camping space, visit relatives and stay awhile. Enjoy your New Mexico food, dance to your favorite songs, and visit your primos and primas! Come celebrate your home, your heritage, your pride.
