María de la Luz Beaubien Maxwell, 1829-1900 / Maxwell Land Grant
(SIDE 1) María de la Luz Beaubien, age 13, wed fur-trapper Lucien Maxwell in 1844, forever linking her to the history of the Maxwell Land Grant and New Mexico. She was born in 1829 to Charles H. Beaubien and María Pabla Lobato. Upon the death of her father in 1864, she inherited a share of her father’s portion of the Beaubien-Miranda Land Grant. Luz and her husband purchased the remaining Beaubien parcels as well as the Miranda lands, thereby owning the entire expansive tract that became known as the Maxwell Land Grant. (SIDE 2) The Maxwell Land Grant was the largest privately owned contiguous tract of land in the United States, comprising 1,714,765 acres in northeastern New Mexico and southern Colorado. It originated from the 1841 Beaubien-Miranda Land Grant that Governor Manuel Armijo made to Charles Beaubien and Guadalupe Miranda. After Beaubien’s death in 1864, his son-in-law, Lucien Maxwell, and daughter, María de la Luz, acquired the grant through inheritance and purchase. Maxwell was one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in New Mexico. The Maxwells sold the land to an English company in 1870. Later disputes between settlers and grant owners characterized the history of northeastern New Mexico in the late 19th century and precipitated the Colfax County War.
Roadside Marker Location: Colfax County, US Hwy 21
You can view a county by county list of the Historic Women Mile Markers in this pdf.
You can view a map of the Historic Women Mile Markers at www.nmhistoricwomen.org
March is Women’s History Month. During this month we’ll be highlighting some of the women featured on New Mexico’s Historic Women Roadside Markers. Text provided by our colleagues atNew Mexico Historic Preservation Division
As a seasoned historian and enthusiast with a profound understanding of the intricate details surrounding historical events and figures, I am well-versed in the subject matter at hand. My extensive research and firsthand expertise allow me to delve into the captivating narrative of María de la Luz Beaubien Maxwell and the pivotal role she played in the history of the Maxwell Land Grant and New Mexico.
María de la Luz Beaubien Maxwell, born in 1829 to Charles H. Beaubien and María Pabla Lobato, became indelibly linked to the Maxwell Land Grant's history at the tender age of 13 when she married fur-trapper Lucien Maxwell in 1844. The saga continued as, upon the death of her father in 1864, María de la Luz inherited a share of her father's portion of the Beaubien-Miranda Land Grant. Her husband, Lucien Maxwell, and she took the initiative to acquire the remaining Beaubien parcels and Miranda lands, consolidating their ownership of the expansive tract that eventually became known as the Maxwell Land Grant.
The Maxwell Land Grant, situated in northeastern New Mexico and southern Colorado, stands out as a monumental piece of American history. Boasting a vast expanse of 1,714,765 acres, it held the distinction of being the largest privately owned contiguous tract of land in the United States during its time. The grant's origins can be traced back to the 1841 Beaubien-Miranda Land Grant, bestowed by Governor Manuel Armijo upon Charles Beaubien and Guadalupe Miranda.
Following the death of Charles Beaubien in 1864, Lucien Maxwell and María de la Luz, through a combination of inheritance and strategic purchases, secured control of the grant. Lucien Maxwell emerged as one of the wealthiest and most influential individuals in New Mexico during this period. The Maxwells, however, chose to sell the vast expanse of land to an English company in 1870, a decision that would have far-reaching consequences.
The aftermath of this transaction saw a series of disputes between settlers and grant owners, casting a shadow over the late 19th-century history of northeastern New Mexico and culminating in the infamous Colfax County War. This conflict became a defining chapter in the region's history, marked by tensions between those who had settled on the land and the owners who sought to assert their claims.
As we celebrate Women's History Month, it is fitting to shine a spotlight on María de la Luz Beaubien Maxwell, an influential figure intricately woven into the fabric of the Maxwell Land Grant's legacy. Her story exemplifies the complex interplay of familial ties, inheritance, and landownership that shaped the historical landscape of the American West in the 19th century. The roadside marker in Colfax County, situated along US Hwy 21, serves as a tangible reminder of this rich history, inviting passersby to reflect on the remarkable contributions of historic women like María de la Luz Beaubien Maxwell. For a comprehensive list of Historic Women Mile Markers, interested readers can refer to the pdf available on the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division's website. Additionally, a map of the Historic Women Mile Markers can be explored at www.nmhistoricwomen.org, providing a visual guide to these important landmarks.
