https://cup.columbia.edu/book/to-the-end-of-the-earth/9780231129374

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Christmas Eve on the Enchantment Chronicles. The Men of Enchantment discuss the hotly debated Christmas Even tradition of the "Farolitos v. Luminarias". What do you call them?

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Step into the shoes of Pancho Villa, the enigmatic figure whose raid on Columbus, New Mexico, became a legendary act of defiance. Join us, Johnny and Drew, as we uncover Villa's journey from an outlaw to a revolutionary leader, challenging the United States in a brazen border conflict. Through the smoldering ruins of Columbus, we piece together the fateful events of March 9, 1916, scrutinizing Villa's motives and the turbulent sociopolitical landscape that fueled his crusade. We promise an expedition through history that's as enlightening as it is thrilling, revealing the intricate dance of revolution and retaliation that shaped the future of U.S.-Mexico relations.

Witness the dawn of modern military maneuvers as we recount the aftermath of Villa's audacious attack and the subsequent Punitive Expedition led by General "Blackjack" Pershing, marking the first instance of airplanes in U.S. military history. The legacy of Villa, the Centaur of the North, remains as captivating as the mirrored saloon that stood unscathed amidst destruction. Together, we'll explore the might and mythology, the strategic blunders and the legendary escapes, all converging to paint a vivid portrait of a time when revolutionaries and generals pushed the boundaries of warfare and diplomacy. The Men of Enchantment, your time-traveling guides, bringing the past to life with facts, anecdotes, and a healthy dose of reflection on the shadows cast by yesterday's conflicts onto today's geopolitical stage.

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When we think of outlaws and bounty hunters of New Mexico, we probably don't picture a London-trained artist who authored the Boy Scout Handbook, or a pack of wolves who evade all pursuit, including that of a Texas Ranger, in Northern New Mexico. But that's just the beginning of a tragic story that began to change the narrative of wolves in America, a story that is still unfolding today in the wilds of the Gila and Western Colorado. 

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Discover the enthralling saga of how a young Kansas farm boy with a telescope rewrote astronomy books and what an 11-year-old English girl had to do with it. Our journey through the stars celebrates the momentous day when Clyde Tombaugh spotted the elusive ninth planet from the Lowell Observatory—a discovery that danced on the edge of myth and science.

We'll traverse the events leading up to the grand announcement of Pluto on Percival Lowell's would-be 75th birthday, a date shared with another groundbreaking astronomical find. Learn about the rich legacy of New Mexico's connection to this celestial story, how it immortalized Tombaugh's feat, and why Pluto's contentious planet status doesn't diminish the wonderment of its discovery. Tune in for a cosmic tale that's as boundless as space itself.

• https://lowell.edu/discover/history-of-pluto/
• https://earthsky.org/space/clyde-tombaugh-discovered-pluto-on-february-18-1930/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clyde_Tombaugh
• https://www.nmlegis.gov/sessions/07%20regular/memorials/house/HJM054.html
• https://nerdist.com/article/pluto-is-still-a-planet-by-law-whenever-it-passes-over-new-mexico/

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Step into New Mexico's treacherous Jornada del Muerto with our latest installment of "The Enchantment Chronicles." Unravel the motives propelling Spanish settlers to navigate this formidable desert, eschewing the Rio Grande's waters and Apache skirmishes in a bid to reach Santa Fe. We also recount the harrowing saga of Bernardo Gruber, the German whose tragic encounter with the Spanish Inquisition led to his desperate final flight into the unforgiving Jornada. We explore how Captain Jack Martin's post-Civil War discovery kept sustained a small community on the Jornada ponder the complex legacy of land magnate Ted Turner, and briefly discuss (once again) the atomic echoes of the Trinity site. The narrative comes full circle at the Salinas Pueblo missions, where the persistence of indigenous cultures amidst European influence unveils a history rich with the interplay of conquest, trade, and survival. Join us as we piece together the intricate mosaic that is New Mexico's storied past.

Links and Resources:

https://bacafamily.org/jornada-del-muerto/

https://www.prestonchild.com/books/mountdragon/JORNADA-DEL-MUERTO-Retracing-the-Dead-Man-s-Journey;art44,40

https://genealogytrails.com/newmex/sierra/history_aleman.html

https://socorro-history.org/HISTORY/PH_History/200905_armendaris.pdf

https://www.nps.gov/elca/planyourvisit/jornada-del-muerto.htm

https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/resources/water/projects/bwa/JornadaDelMuerto/

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Embark on a time-traveling adventure with us as we commemorate New Mexico's inaugural governor, William C. MacDonald, a man whose triumph in office reshaped a state's destiny. Through this episode, you'll witness MacDonald's remarkable evolution from a Kansas clerk to a visionary leader, his strong advocacy for education, and the establishment of a legacy that reverberates through New Mexico's corridors of learning to this very day.

Tune in for a historical journey as we recount Governor MacDonald's earnest efforts in the territorial legislature, his battle against misconceptions of a wild New Mexico, and his pivotal inaugural address that set the stage for progress and connectivity across this enchanting state. Learn about the impactful legislation MacDonald championed, how it laid down the roads to future prosperity, and the enduring influence of a school fund that continues to underpin New Mexico’s education system. Join me, your guide through the annals of time, as we honor a leader whose service extended beyond his tenure, shaping the narrative of a state that proudly bears the fruits of his labors.

• Born in NY, moved to White Oaks, NM from Kansas in 1880, later recalling ““I did not see a single revolver in sight, that peace and prosperity were visible everywhere…”
• Elected first Governor Nov 7 1911, defeating future Senator Holm O Bursum, inaugurated Jan 14, speech Jan 15
• Democrat, won with a plurality of 3,000 votes, worked with Republican legislature.
• Became a mineral surveyor after a year as a clerk. Helped tutor local boys, including Morris B Parker, who needed a semester of school
• Passed “Pauline School Bill” in1891, establishing public schools throughout state.
• As Governor, he created several highways to rural areas, pushed irrigation and education
• Reserve fund for Districts who couldn't operate for more than five months.
• 1910 Chair of Democratic Territorial Committee
• Required Civic education and education on effects of alcohol and narcotics 
• Defeated 1917 by plurality of 856 votes, but continued to serve helping War Boards until death in 1918 of Bright’s disease in El Paso.
• Education: All children 7-14 receive at least 7 months of education. “A fair public school education is due every child and is of the utmost importance not only to the individual but to the welfare of the state.”
• Creation of the Permanent School Fund, with 5% of sales benefiting schools (two parcels out of 36 in every township are so delegated) 

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Unlock the secrets of how a diverse territory blossomed into the 47th state of the United States. As we celebrate New Mexico's rich history, you'll uncover the harrowing challenges and cultural triumphs that led to the signing of its statehood by President William Howard Taft on January 6, 1912. With a past steeped in the fight against slavery, and a commitment to overcome linguistic and religious barriers, New Mexico's journey to statehood is a story of resilience and transformation. Discover how this unique blend of cultures navigated the path to acceptance within the union, ultimately shaping the vibrant identity of the Land of Enchantment.

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Don Juan de Oñate was a man of La Frontera-- the frontier. Determined to bring the laws of the Spanish Crown to new territories, he wound up being condemned to exile by those same laws. He was the author both of glowing accounts of his own successes as well as some of the very testimony used to convict him after accusations of mistreatment of his fellow colonists and torture of the indigenous people of Acoma.

We examine Oñate from his expedition north from El Paso del Norte to his audacious claim of success in converting 33 Pueblos and tribes to the King's rule.
We trace his arduous journey to California, his conquest of the New Mexican territory, and the stringent trials he encountered as governor.

But that's not the whole story - we also unpack his enduring-- and conflicting-- legacies. We also explore recent-- and heated conflicts-- in Albuquerque, Alcalde, and Espanola around memorials to Oñate, conflicts which risk establishing New Mexico's newest, and worst tradition: Shooting incidents over the removal of statues.

From the heated debates surrounding his statues to the indelible impact on New Mexico, we leave no stone unturned. Prepare to challenge perceptions and unveil truths about this divisive historical figure.

Trigger Warning: Although we generally keep it PG at the Enchantment Chronicles, this episode does refer to executions and the mutilation and enslavement of indigenous people, as well as a describing some battle scenes. 

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Check out the Enchantment Chronicles on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Music, or anywhere podcasts are found.

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Gunfights from Hydrogen-filled ballons? Well, not quite, but it was a near miss. (Well, nine or ten near misses.) In this episode, Johnny and Drew blow some hot  air and puff up New Mexico's ballooning history, from coal-gas flights to shots fired to the first pass over the mountains, and all the way to today's 51st anniversary of the International Balloon Fiesta.

We'll hear about Roy Stamm  and Joseph Blondin as they attempt a daring flight over the Manzano Mountains, battling turbulent winds and narrowly escaping getting shot at and ultimately a crash in cactus patch. We'll also celebrate the triumphs of Ed Yost, the father of modern-day hot air ballooning, and Sid Cutter -- the father of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Whether you're a history aficionado or a ballooning enthusiast, buckle up for this journey through Albuquerque's vibrant ballooning history!

For Further Reading:
https://eastmountainhistory.org/balloonfight/
https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/gondola-double-eagle-2/nasm_A19790532000
https://www.sos.nm.gov/about-new-mexico/state-aircraft/
https://infogram.com/koat-balloon-fiesta-history-timeline-1h7z2l8qqo7gx6o

And an update: Apparently balloonists aren't safe from potshots even today. Two gas balloon pilots were fired on and crashed in Texas after launching from the 2023 Balloon Fiesta. https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/gordon-bennett-ballon-race-pilot-says-he-was-avoiding-gunfire-before-crash/

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https://www.enchantmentchronicles.com