In 1995, Agua Fria community members led by William Mee began recording oral histories of Village elders and leaders, supported by a grant from the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area Foundation. Many of the elders remembered Agua Fria’s past days as a self-sufficient farming community, and recounted stories about their own experiences, or stories they had heard from their relatives, about villagers operating primarily on the barter system, and whose lives focused of family, faith and tradition. These oral histories are available on YouTube, and a transcription was also made with a subsequent grant from the NRGNHA.

Santa Fe County has recently begun a new initiative to collect oral histories under the leadership of County Commissioner Lisa Cacari-Stone. These oral histories will be posted here as they become available.

Conry “Connie” Prada (1928-2020) was also known as La Mera Mera de Agua Fria. She was the Seladora for the Agua Fria Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) that was in her family for many years. The Holy Family traveled starting from San Ysidro Church making its way to different homes within the Village. She attended all events helping to keep traditions alive in the Agua Fria Village including: Las Posadas, El Dia de San Ysidro, and the Santa Fe River Blessing. This oral history was recorded in 2015, and is about 3 hours long.

Conry “Connie” Prada

Lee Romero (1940-2020) was a member of the Cursillo Movement since 1977, as well as a member of Hermanos Crusado and Knights of Columbus. He faithfully served the San Isidro Choir for many years and was a former mayordomo.. This oral history was recorded in 2015, and is about 3 hours long.

Elizardo “Lee” Romero

Danny Narvaiz (1935-2016) was a veteran and owner of Danny’s Upholstery in Agua Fria Village. Throughout his lifetime he was involved in the 4-H Club, Santa Fe Little Theater, Jaycee's, Santa Fe Fiesta Counsel and was one of the founders of the Archers De Santa Fe.This oral history was recorded in 2015, and is about 3 hours long.

Guadalupe “Danny” Narvaiz

Ortencia Gonzales

Gil Tercero is an active member of the Agua Fria Water Association (serving as Treasurer) and has participated in many community planning efforts.

Gilbert “Gil” Tercero

Bennie Montoya (1922-2023) was an active member of the Agua Fria Community, and one of the founders of the Agua Fria Village Association. A proud WWII Veteran, Bennie participated in D-Day and survived being a German POW.

Rodulfo Bennie Montoya

Toby Mora….

Toby T. Mora

Manuelita “Nellie” Montoya Gonzales

Manuelita “Nellie” Montoya Gonzales (1926-2022) was an active member of the Agua Fria Community.

Rosina “Rusie” Romero Garcia

Rusie Garcia (1928-2017) was an active member of the Agua Fria Community.

Melinda Romero Pike (1927-2021) has been called "A favorite daughter of the Agua Fria community” - among her many accomplishments was being named Official Historian of Agua Fria Village and a Santa Fe Living Treasure. A member of the Santa Fe Water Board and Santa Fe River Task Force, Pike’s dream was to see the Santa Fe River run freely again..

Melinda Romero Pike

Art (1936-2020) a lifelong resident of Agua Fria, was a cabinetmaker and general contractor. Mae Montoya (1937-2022) was a storyteller, recounting tales about the San Isidro Feast Day vespers and celebrations, hearing the Gypsies play the tambourine and sing and dance all night when they would come into town and camp out by the river, going dancing at El Corral, attending dances at La Sala in Agua Fria, and making her own Fiesta dresses to be ready for the celebration.

Arthur and Amada Montoya

Manuel and Frances Romero

Manuel and Frances Romero…

ORAL HISTORIES