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The site will also grow other chiles, including the Original and Heritage Big Jim, the Original and Heritage 64, and a Jemez variety.
Source: New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs
Photo: Couresy
Radium Springs, NM – Fort Selden Historic Site is the only place in New Mexico growing a special chile in its garden this year, the original New Mexico No. 9, from a historically bred and cultivated variety provided by the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University.
The site will also grow other chiles, including the Original and Heritage Big Jim, the Original and Heritage 64, and a Jemez variety. In addition to these chiles, site staff are growing “space chiles” indoors as part of the Space Chile Challenge, which was sprouted by Jacob Torres, a researcher who worked on NASA’s chile program.
“Our vison for our gardens this year is to tell the story of chile in this region by growing keystone chile cultivars that have influenced the industry for well over a century,” said Ranger Michael (Mike) Bailey. “This story begins with the infamous No. 9, which represents the birth of the chile renaissance here in southern New Mexico. It’s because of the No. 9 that chile is in our blood.”
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The New Mexico No. 9 was the first chile species that Fabián García (1871-1948) developed at New Mexico State University more than a hundred years ago. García was a pioneering plant scientist and professor who promoted the New Mexico chile industry and encouraged Mexican Americans to pursue horticulture studies. In addition to his research and creation of many other chile cultivars, he also helped establish the pecan and onion-growing industries in New Mexico.
Heritage chiles will be the focus of a variety of public programming throughout the spring, summer, and early fall at Fort Selden. The site will kick-off the season on Saturday, April 19, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. with a talk and demonstration about planting chile heritage gardens. Ranger Mike will share the history and evolutionary story of how southern New Mexico became the chile capital of the world. He will also discuss the best time of year to plant chiles, garden care, and other growing tips.
A special pop-up exhibit will be hosted at the event, “Culture Lab: Enchanted Chiles” from the Wonders on Wheels mobile museum program. Visitors will have the chance to examine chiles under a microscope, paint with chile dye, and tie a chile ristra. This program is included as part of general admission of $5 per adult. Free for children 16 years and younger, Native/Tribal Affiliations, NM disabled veterans, NM foster families, and MNMF members.
About Fort Selden Historic Site
As early as 400 A.D. Native American farmers, the Mogollon, lived on the same land that would become the fort centuries later. In 1598, the area was known as Paraje Robledo, a welcome paraje (campsite) on El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. Established in April 1865 to bring peace to the region, Fort Selden was the base for African American regiments known as Buffalo Soldiers. The fort was abandoned in 1891 as hostilities lessened and the needs of the military changed. Today, visitors can learn about the site’s history at the museum, stroll around the adobe remains of the fort, and participate in a variety of public programs. Learn more at nmhistoricsites.org/fort-selden.
