Summer Fair & Fiesta

The 1883 New Mexico Territory celebration was planned as a monthlong event commemorating the 333rd anniversary of Santa Fe’s founding. The May 28, 1883, issue of The Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper devoted its entire front page to describing some of the many attractions that awaited visitors. One article titled “Indians at the Tertio-Millennial” advised readers that Native Americans from several tribes would be present, including Apaches, Mescaleros, Navajos, Pueblos, and Zunis. The reporter noted that “every phase of Indian life and character, both warlike and peaceful, will be illustrated. Their domestic industries such as bead working, blanket weaving, manufacture of jewelry, cooking, etc. will be in operation.”

Parades & War Chiefs 

The celebration opened to a large crowd on July 2, and a well-known personality of the time, John A. Logan, delivered the opening address. (Logan was a general during the Civil War and a past commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union Army veterans’ organization. He also served as a United States senator from Illinois from 1853 to 1854 and in 1857.) Later that day, there were the parades and band concerts you would expect to find at this sort of celebration.

Attendees could view various attractions, including Mademoiselle Rosette’s high-wire walk act. Following this was a 10-mile Zuni foot race, “the participants having adorned their bodies with white in honor of their eastern guests.” As the day’s highlight, “The Apache war chiefs robed in all the wild colors of war, mounted the well trained ponies belonging to Major Fountain’s militia, and after a dash around the arena, led by Major Fountain, and with a genuine Apache war whoop went at each other in a warlike attitude.” The staged “battle” lasted for nearly an hour.

Reduced Train Fares

The railroads offered reduced fares to Santa Fe from many other cities and arranged special excursions for members of the Grand Army of the Republic who were visiting Denver in July. Railroads also participated in other ways. The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad announced they would transport an entire carload of specimens from the Petrified Forest near the company’s line.

A program was published, and it was available by mail upon request before the event. It contained a “remarkable list of novelties illustrating the three civilizations which have occupied the country.” And indeed, numerous historical and industrial exhibits were on display at the celebration. One was described as “a grand exposition of mining, manufacturing and other industries for which a main building 480 x 60 feet is being provided.” It included mineral and other exhibits from all the other states and territories.

Items for Sale

Private businesses exhibited their merchandise, and they were well represented. It seems surprising, considering the problems involved in transporting large and heavy items, but at least two dealers in musical instruments, one from El Paso and one from Las Vegas, attended the event. Both dealers had pianos, organs, and smaller instruments on display. Those selling jewelry and diamonds would have had a much easier time traveling and setting up their wares.

A 32mm medalet, struck in white metal with a plain edge, was issued to commemorate the event. Around its rim, the obverse inscription reads TERTIO MILLENNIAL ANNIVERSARY ↔ SANTA FE N.M. JULY 2 TO AUG. 3. The seal of the New Mexico Territory is featured in the center, with the year 1550 to the left and 1883 to the right. The reverse depicts the chapel, with SAN MIGUEL/CHAPEL below. 

Popular Keepsakes

IIn the fourth edition of the Standard Catalog of United States Tokens 1700-1900, Russell Rulau lists the medalet as NM-SF 4. He also lists a bronze version of the piece as NM-SF 4A, and his catalog number NM-SF 6 is for a 35mm white-metal medalet that was issued for the celebration. It depicts the chapel on the obverse, with the event’s name around it. The reverse features a bust facing slightly to the right, with MOST REVD J.B. LAMY ARCHBISHOP OF NEW MEXICO around the rim. Jean-Bapiste Lamy, who came to Santa Fe in 1851, served the church until three years before his death in 1888. 

I’ve found nothing to suggest the purpose for which these medalets were struck, and unfortunately, no manufacturer’s signature appears on the illustrated piece. However, they were most likely sold at the event, either by the celebration committee or by private vendors. Small medalets such as these were inexpensive and, therefore, popular keepsakes.

Oldest Catholic Church

The chapel was a logical choice for the medalet’s reverse design. The San Miguel Chapel website describes it as “the oldest Catholic Church built in the United States, part of whose original walls are still standing and which is still used regularly for religious services.” The exact year of its construction is unknown, but it is thought to be around 1610. Since that time, it has undergone various restorations and repairs. According to an article in the July 14, 1883, Arizona Weekly Citizen newspaper, the oldest building in Santa Fe was located across the street from the church. It “was an old, old building when Onate took formal possession of the city in the sixteenth century.”

The Tertio Millennial celebration was an unqualified success. Although, as stated on the medalets, it was scheduled to close on August 3, the commissioners decided to leave at least part of it open until the middle of the month. On August 4 it was announced that “excellent music, graceful dancing and a genuine good time may be enjoyed at the Tertio this evening. The admission to dance or to see is but twenty-five cents.”

Medalet Discovery

There’s always something new to discover! As mentioned above, a large building had been provided for a mining exhibit. Shortly after I finished this article, I discovered a medalet I hadn’t been aware of on an Internet auction site. Struck in white metal, the 31mm piece depicts a man standing beside a donkey in the center of the obverse, with THE SANTA FE GRAND MINING around the top of the rim, and & INDUSTRIAL/EXPOSITION below. The reverse has 1883 TERTIO MILLENNIAL ANNIVERSARY around the rim and W.W. GRIFFIN/PRES. ARTHUR BOYLE/SEC./CHAS. W. GREENE/GEN. MAN. in the center. It is holed at the top, suggesting it was issued suspended from a ribbon or pinback bar.

I welcome readers’ comments. Write to me at P.O. Box 2866, La Plata, MD 20646. If a reply is desired, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. 

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A version of this article appears in the May 2025 issue of The Numismatist (money.org)