This self-guided tour walks you through the history and culture of NMSU.
Windmill Farm
In 1907, the headline in the Las Cruces newspaper announced "New College to be Work of Art." Pioneer southwestern architect Henry C. Trost had been commissioned to design a plan for the fledgling New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, founded only 19 years earlier. The plan for what was to become New Mexico State University included a horseshoe drive and 13 buildings that were to form the school's centerpiece.
Memorial Windmill
Originally erected on the playas Peak ranch in Hidalgo County in 1888, the year of the founding of the college which became New Mexico State University. The windmill was donated by J.M. Smith and restored by M.I. Rasmussen in dedication to New Mexico pioneers to "draw water from a stubborn earth and help make American agriculture the envy of the world".
Miller Field Gates
The New Mexico A&M senior class built these gates to Miller Filed in 1924. The athletic field, stretching north and west from the gates, was said to be the best in the territory. It had football, baseball, tennis, and track and field facilities. They were named for John Oliver Miller, who was registrar and volunteer coach of the highly successful football team from 1901 to 1908. Football moved east to the old Aggie Memorial Stadium (near the business Complex) in 1950 and to the current stadium site in 1978.
CASE Tractor
This tractor dates as far back as the 1930's and represents the agricultural history of New Mexico.
Nason House
The original residence for the college president and family was built on University Avenue in 1918. Today the Nason House is home to the Center for Latin American Studies. The building was renovated in 1983 and funded by Mrs. Charles Nason. The structure was named for the late Willoughby Nason, an NMSU graduate student in Mexican Revolutionary History.
The William Conroy Honors Center
William Conroy Honors Center is the oldest building on campus. Built in 1907, this structure originally served as a dormitory facility for male students, and was known as the YMCA. The space was later converted to accommodate the music department in 1929, and was purchased by the university in 1964. The following year it became headquarters for the U.S. Air Force ROTC program from 1965-1982. After this time it was vacant until 2002, by which time renovations had taken place and the Honors College had moved in. It is named after William B. Conroy, who was the NMSU president from 1997 to 2000.
Young Hall
Young Hall, named for Regent R.L. Young, was built in 1928 to be a university library. The building was occupied in 1958 by the English department. In 1982 it was renovated for the Military Science and Aerospace Studies Department. Today it is home to the school's ROTC programs.
Goddard Hall
This engineering building, with its distinctive bell tower and Spanish Renaissance style, was completed in 1913. An annex was added in 1937. The annex was designed and supervised by college faculty and built by students.
The building was dedicated in 1934 to the late dean of engineering, Ralph Willis Goddard. Born in Waltham, MA, in 1887, Goddard was hired by the college as an electrical engineering professor in 1914 and became dean of engineering in 1920. He was a pioneer in radio engineering and his experiments received national attention. He also trained enlisted men to become proficient in sending and receiving wireless messages during World War I.
Hadley Hall
Hadley Hall is home to several administrative units including the President's Office, Personnel, Payroll, and Accounts Payable (Financial Operations). It was built in 1953 and named after Hiram Hadley, the university's first president.
Foster Hall
Foster Hall is home of the Department of Biology. It was built in 1930 and named after former NMSU President Luther Foster. Six years after construction, a fresco was added by Santa Fe artist Olive Rush as part of the Public Arts Project. The fresco was restored in 1983.
Kent Hall
Built in 1930 as a men's dormitory, the hall is dedicated to former President Harry L. Kent (1921-1936). It now houses the University Museum, which features traveling exhibits and displays from the university's permanent collections.
Dove Hall
Dove Hall was completed in 1939 as a WPA project. A major renovation was completed in 1988 to house the offices of University Advancement including the Alumni Association, Foundation and Development.