The Little Valley of the Indians: The Story of Vallecitos and Sierra Los Pinos
The history of the Jemez Valley is rich with layers of human settlement, from ancient pueblos to Spanish land grants and modern communities. One such place, a small valley nestled in the shadow of the Jemez Mountains, holds a story that bridges these eras: Vallecitos de los Indios.
An Ancient Pueblo
Before the arrival of the Spanish, this valley was the home of a large Native American pueblo. Its name, which translates from Spanish to “Little Valley of the Indians,” is a direct testament to the indigenous people who lived here. According to local lore, a priest who ministered at the Jemez mission at Guisewa would ride a burro up Oak Canyon on what is still known as the Priest’s Trail to minister to the inhabitants of this ancient settlement. This connection highlights the centuries-old ties between the valley and the surrounding Jemez pueblos.
Spanish Land Grants and Pioneer Communities
With the arrival of Spanish settlers, the valley became part of the Ojo de San José Land Grant, which was awarded to six families in 1768. The original settlement grew into two distinct communities along the Rio Vallecitos. The upper settlement retained the name Vallecitos de los Indios, while the lower was known as Santo Toribio del Vallecito.
Over time, the Lower Vallecitos community sought to establish a post office. To avoid confusion with another town in New Mexico, the residents chose a new name for their community: Ponderosa, named for the beautiful ponderosa pines that blanket the surrounding Sierra los Pinos mountains.
From Logging to Modern Subdivision
In the 20th century, a sawmill in the valley made it an important part of the logging industry, and for a time, the economy of the community was tied to the timber that was harvested from the nearby mountains.
Today, much of the historic Vallecitos de los Indios settlement and the pioneer communities are gone. A modern subdivision named Sierra los Pinos has since been developed, and it has largely “obliterated” most of the signs of the original pueblo and the pioneer community.
While the ancient pueblo and the original settlements may be lost to time, their legacy lives on in the names of the land. They serve as a reminder of the many peoples—from the indigenous inhabitants to the Spanish pioneers—who shaped the unique and layered history of the Jemez Valley.