"Nostrand identifies the challenges facing eight generations of families. Utilizing primary sources from government, census, and church records, as well as from burials, homestead documents, and interviews with sixty Cerritenos, Nostrand details village life from its founding in 1824 to the opening years of the twenty-first century. The author weaves historical evidence with physical data from soil analyses, topology, and geology to explain how the land itself shaped life in El Cerrito."--BOOK JACKET.

The New Mexico difference -- The roots of dependence -- The mystique of the village -- Assault on Arcadia -- The New Mexico, Mexico, new deal connection -- Federal relief comes to New Mexico -- Implementing the cultural agenda -- Restoring village lands -- The final years and later -- Reprise.

Richard L. Nostrand interprets the Hispanos’ experience in geographical terms. He demonstrates that their unique intermixture with Pueblo Indians, nomad Indians, Anglos, and Mexican Americans, combined with isolation in their particular natural and cultural environments, have given them a unique sense of place - a sense of homeland. Several processes shaped and reshaped the Hispano Homeland. Initial colonization left the Hispanos relatively isolated from cultural changes in the rest of New Spain, and gradual intermarriage with Pueblo and nomad Indians gave them new cultural features. As their numbers increased in the eighteenth century, they began to expand their Stronghold outward from the original colonies.

The indispensable traveler's guide to the history of places throughout the Land of Enchantment.