PHOTOS: “Doorways to the Past: More Tales of the Rio Abajo”
A new book recounting many stories of the history of Valencia County contains one that focuses on the Jewish merchants in the community, such as Simon Neustadt.Submitted photo
One of Valencia County’s last duels took place in the city of Belen. At stake was the honor of a pair of shoes, sullied by a prankster’s eggs.Richard Melzer
The U.S. Army’s grand experiment to incorporate camels into its ranks touches New Mexico and Valencia County history.News-Bulletin file photo
This photo of an unidentified Days of ‘49 participant is just one of several historic photos in the new book “Doorways to the Past” that shows the history of Valencia County.Submitted photo
An icon of the early days of professional wrestling, Frank Saiz — who had the moniker “Navajo Frank” bestowed on him by promoter Mike London, retired from the sport and now lives in Los Lunas. His story is one that appears in a new book of history about the people and places of Valencia County.Submitted photo
The U.S. Army’s grand experiment to incorporate camels into its ranks touches New Mexico and Valencia County history.News-Bulletin file photo
An icon of the early days of professional wrestling, Frank Saiz — who had the moniker “Navajo Frank” bestowed on him by promoter Mike London, retired from the sport and now lives in Los Lunas. His story is one that appears in a new book of history about the people and places of Valencia County.Submitted photo
A new book recounting many stories of the history of Valencia County contains one that focuses on the Jewish merchants in the community, such as Simon Neustadt.Submitted photo
A renaissance of art on the Pueblo of Isleta and the history of Native art is part of the new “Doorways to the Past.” One new piece of public art includes the eastern panel, created by Ron Olguin.Submitted photo
The public art on the Pueblo of Isleta and its history is recounted in “Doorways to the Past,” including the installation of the “Raindrops of Bounty” by Kimo Constructors.Submitted photo
Often measuring hundreds of feet long, local geoglyphs of various types are featured in the newest book about Valencia County history, “Doorways to the Past.”Submitted photo
One of Valencia County’s last duels took place in the city of Belen. At stake was the honor of a pair of shoes, sullied by a prankster’s eggs.Richard Melzer
History might get a little further away but it never completely disappears, as demonstrated in this 1939 photo from the Days of ‘49 celebration, commemorating those brave enough to rush for gold in the West in 1849. This photo and many others is featured in the latest anthology about Valencia County’s history, “Doorways to the Past.”Submitted photo
Local historians and authors John Taylor and Richard Melzer have added a seventh anthology — “Doorways to the Past” — to their ever-growing series on the history of Valencia County and the Rio Abajo.Julia M. Dendinger
