"Acoma, Oldest Continous ..." a Acoma Pueblo Travel Page by Ken_Weaver

Acoma Pueblo, also known as "Sky City", according to archeologists, may be the oldest continuously inhabited village in the United States. Earliest archeological finds places the first formation of a village at about 1150 AD. At this time 30 families live in the Pueblo on top of a 357 foot high sandstone mesa.

The first white visitor to the Acoma Pueblo was Francisco Vasques de Coronado. He and his soldiers were in awe of the inpenetrable fortress at the top of the mesa. Two and three story buildings impressed the Conquistador.

Later in 1598, Spanish soldiers tried to steal grain from a Pueblo granary and 13 were killed by the natives. Governor Juan de Onate retaliated and nearly destroyed the village. In 1629, as a matter of restitution, the Spanish government authorized a mission to be built on the mesa.

Construction the San Esteban del Rey Mission was supervised by resident Franciscan Friar, Juan Ramirez, although it was the Acoma people who followed traditional building techniques to build a structure that has lasted for centuries. All materials had to be carried up a steep narrow stone path that had been carved out of the side of the mesa.

Today, the families that live in the Pueblo do so without electricity or standard plumbing. The streets are clean and orderly and are a buzz with tourists seeking the history of this special place or the crafts of the artisans.