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Mesquite Historic District

Mesquite Historic District

$195,178 Average Value
$312 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

A blend of old and new at Las Cruces’ original town site

Founded in 1849 as Las Cruces’ original town site, the Mesquite Historic District offers some of the city’s oldest housing, within walking distance of the downtown commercial district. The neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its turn of the 20th century adobe homes and businesses on Mesquite Street, which covers the original El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, an early trade route between Mexico City and Santa Fe. “The district is really old, so you have an appreciation for the history and the architecture,” says Ronald Leone, an associate broker with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Steinborn & Associates who’s lived in the area since 2001. “What I like about it is every home is different.” The over 160-year-old St. Joseph’s Cemetery is in the neighborhood’s center, next to St. Genevieve Catholic Church. A few blocks west, new restaurants and the Plaza de Las Cruces line Main Street downtown.

Mesquite Historic District blends old charm and new life near downtown Las Cruces.
Mesquite Historic District blends old charm and new life near downtown Las Cruces.
Mesquite Historic District has early 1900s Territorial-style homes.
Mesquite Historic District has early 1900s Territorial-style homes.
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Adobe-walled homes from the early 1900s

Turn of the 20th century New Mexican architecture is on full display here, including Territorial-style adobe homes with flat roofs. Midcentury ranch-style houses, common in the neighborhood’s east, mimic the adobe aesthetic with earth-toned stucco exteriors. Houses sit close to the sidewalk-lined streets with small yards hidden behind low adobe or stone walls, and many have a one-car driveway. Prices typically range from around $130,000 to $260,000, depending on renovations.

Leone warns that adobe houses can require costly maintenance. “It’s not like if you need a new window, let’s go to Home Depot,” he says, “but once you get into one and maintain it, it’s great. With an adobe home, generally, it’ll maintain heat better in winter and stay cooler in the summer.” Multi-family houses built between the 1960s and ‘90s can have up to seven units and range from $230,000 to $700,000, depending on size.

Homes in Mesquite Historic District show off adobe style.
Homes in Mesquite Historic District show off adobe style.
Early 1900s homes define Mesquite Historic’s character.
Early 1900s homes define Mesquite Historic’s character.
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Gathering at the Plaza de Las Cruces

The 2-acre Klein Park, the neighborhood’s only park, is known for its playground and green space. Downtown, the Plaza de Las Cruces is an urban gathering space that hosts events and has a splash pad for kids to cool off on hot days. At the Las Cruces Museum of Nature and Science, residents can learn about the Mesilla Valley’s flora and fauna and see prehistoric footprints up close. The Las Cruces Museum of Art is next door, showcasing contemporary artists and offering art classes. For an evening’s entertainment, locals head to the Rio Grande Theatre, built in 1926. “It’s iconic,” says Eileen Hernandez, an associate broker with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Steinborn & Associates who’s sold homes here for 28 years. “I used to watch movies there when I was a kid, and now they bring in live entertainment and concerts.”

New Mexican cuisine at La Nueva Casita Café

Mesquite Street is home to the neighborhood’s art galleries and longstanding restaurants, like La Nueva Casita Café, which has been serving New Mexican comfort food since 1957. Nopalito Restaurant’s take on New Mexican cuisine has been a staple here since 1964. Downtown Las Cruces on Main Street, just a couple blocks away, has newer restaurants, like RAD Retrocade, which serves classic bar food and has pinball machines and arcade games. Locally owned stores like Organ Mountain Outfitters and Zia Comics also line the walkable thoroughfare. On Saturday mornings, the Farmers and Crafts Market fills the downtown area with over 200 vendors. “They block off the whole street, put up food and crafts stands, and have live music,” Hernandez says. “It’s good for a family outing.” A smaller version of the market takes place on Wednesdays. National retailers like Walmart and grocery stores like Albertsons are nearby on Lohman Avenue.

La Nueva Casita Cafe is where tradition tastes like comfort in Mesquite Historic
District.
La Nueva Casita Cafe is where tradition tastes like comfort in Mesquite Historic District.
The Bean on Mesquite serves coffee, pastries, & charm in Las Cruces's historic heart.
The Bean on Mesquite serves coffee, pastries, & charm in Las Cruces's historic heart.
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¡Mira! Las Cruces at the Plaza de Las Cruces

The Plaza de Las Cruces downtown hosts some of the city’s most popular events. Each April, ¡Mira! Las Cruces draws crowds to Main Street for a day of live music, a car show and a chalk art contest. On New Year’s Eve, the Las Cruces Chile Drop rings in the new year with the lowering of a 19-foot chile pepper.

Las Cruces High’s longstanding football rivalry

Local kids can start school at Booker T. Washington Elementary, which earns a C from Niche, and then attend the B-rated Sierra Middle. At the B-rated Las Cruces High, students can join over 15 sports teams, including the Bulldawgs football team, whose over 60-year rivalry with Mayfield High draws big crowds to the annual matchup. The nearby Las Cruces Catholic School earns an A-minus and serves pre-kindergarten through Grade 12.

Along Lohman Avenue

Interstate 25 is about 3 miles east via East Lohman Avenue, leading roughly 45 miles to El Paso. The Roadrunner bus stops on Lohman. Local streets are lined with sidewalks, and downtown Las Cruces is less than a mile away. Three Crosses Regional Hospital is about 2 miles north. Las Cruces International Airport, a general aviation airport with commercial flights to Albuquerque, is 10 miles away, and the larger El Paso International Airport is a 53-mile trip.

Annie Franklin
Written By
Annie Franklin
Carlos Luevano
Photography Contributed By
Carlos Luevano
Aiyshanti Green
Video By
Aiyshanti Green

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Schools

Source:
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Patty Olson, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Mesquite Historic District US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Mesquite Historic District Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$479,000
Median Sale Price
$920,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$459,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$399,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
3
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
184%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$312

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
735
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1945
Months of Supply
8.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,266
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,678
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Patty Olson, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
2,299
Median Age
39
Population under 18
22.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$31,619
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$49,401

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
79%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
24.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.8%
% Population in Labor Force
55.9%

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

65 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

80 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
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Mesquite Historic District