The Santa Fe New Mexican celebrates 175th anniversary

The New Mexican has been an integral part of the lives of Santa Feans and the greater Northern New Mexico region for 175 years, thanks to the hard work of our excellent employees and the long-earned trust and support of the communities we serve.”

New Mexican Publisher Patrick Dorsey

The Santa Fe New Mexican marks its 175th anniversary on Thanksgiving with appreciation for its past and a clear-eyed focus on the future.

The Santa Fe New Mexican, considered the oldest newspaper in the West, remains a seven-day print product with a growing santafenewmexican.com digital subscriber base, the preeminent arts and entertainment weekly publication, Pasatiempo, a diverse local magazine portfolio, a full suite of print and digital advertising solutions, a strong commercial print portfolio, and an ongoing commitment to accountability journalism.

“There are many entities more than 175 years old in New Mexico. Pueblo organizations, the Catholic Church, local acequias, state/territorial government are some of these. Nevertheless, we have been around a long time, longer than the hospital, local banks, public schools, even the art and music business,” said Robin Martin, owner of New Mexican, Inc.

“We have made it our mission to promote our region’s economic prosperity, health, education and culture. In the 21st century there are new activities to explore, like outdoor recreation, high tech and films. In the next 175 years, we will keep an eye on whatever new comes along, but will never forget a primary mission, which is to keep an eye on government.”

Founded when New Mexico was still a territory, The Santa Fe New Mexican began Nov. 28, 1849, with publishers E.T. Davies and W.E. Jones telling readers in the first edition that the paper would be “devoted to the interests of the Territory of New Mexico in general.”

The New Mexican’s influence has shaped the state’s history and played a role in national events. New Mexican journalists have reported on Kit Carson, Billy the Kid, and Los Alamos and the detonation of the first nuclear bomb. The newspaper’s editors and publishers pushed for the Santa Fe adobe-style architecture that defines the city’s universally recognized identity as a multicultural arts and culture destination. The New Mexican also is credited with years of advocating for New Mexico’s statehood, which President William Howard Taft signed into law in 1912. “It’s my opinion that The New Mexican played a major role in helping move New Mexico forward in becoming a state,” New Mexico State Historian Rob Martinez told The New Mexican in a recent interview.

The New Mexican’s front-page banner identifies itself as “locally owned and independent,” leading a trend in a state where only one newspaper is owned by an out-of-state, publicly held conglomerate.

The New Mexico Press Association’s recent New Mexico State Study offers these audience takeaways:

• Eight of 10 state residents read a print or digital newspaper each month.
• 75% of New Mexico newspaper readers are under the age of 65.
• 85% of New Mexico newspaper readers vote in local elections.
• 89% of New Mexico newspaper readers believe “I have a responsibility to help shape the future of my community.”

Among Santa Fe New Mexican subscribers, a recent study showed 80 percent say they subscribe because of local news and information they can’t get anywhere else.

In 2024, The New Mexican launched a B2B/B2C custom printing; doubled its newsletter offerings; and plans to expand its statewide presence with a promise that all philanthropically funded content offerings are available free for all New Mexicans.

“The New Mexican has been an integral part of the lives of Santa Feans and the greater Northern New Mexico region for 175 years, thanks to the hard work of our excellent employees and the long-earned trust and support of the communities we serve,” New Mexican Publisher Patrick Dorsey said. “We will continue to focus on that trust long into the future as we innovate and evolve the many ways we serve the local news and information needs of our community and deliver impactful journalism to make a positive difference. We look forward to celebrating our history and this incredible milestone together with our community over the next  ear in our printed pages, online, through our various social channels and with many other special events to come.”

To see all The Santa Fe New Mexican 175th coverage, including our 175th anniversary magazine as well as our historical 150th, 125th and 100th anniversary special sections, please go to https://www.santafenewmexican.com/175/.