2020 has been a year beyond imagination! Like so many other non-profit organizations, Cornerstones put many of its normal community-based projects on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic and focused on helping our neighbors who were suffering the most. We couldn't have done it without your support! The tremendous outpouring of your generosity gave tangible relief to so many! Thank you...we are grateful for you! We at Cornerstones wish you a happy and safe Holiday Season and a joyous New Year!
ALONZO RAEL
Cornerstones is partnering with BLM to preserve the ranch, which dates to sometime between 1710-1715 when the acequia was first dug. Near the Camino Real and situated along the Santa Fe River just above the Bajada, the site retains its rural off-grid character. Alonzo, descended from the original settlers, lived a ranching farming life much like his ancestors. Preserving the ranch ensures a continuous thread of culture and history from colonial times to the 20th century. Issac Logsdon is currently working on a Historic Structures Report, planning preservation projects, and managing the acequia under an agreement with BLM. Alonzo assembled the cross on the hill in a gesture of gratefulness when he returned alive from World War II.
Photo of Alonzo Rael (1917-2004) in his kitchen at his ranch.
Photo by Norman Mauskopf.
Photo of Rael Ranch on right. Photo by Barb Odell.
CASA GRANDE
Cornerstones field leaders Angela Francis and Issac Logsdon, along with volunteers, Joanna Keane Lopez, and Mike Garcia, worked to get the finish coat of lime plaster up on a section of the “CCC”-built maintenance compound wall at the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. They also assessed water damage on two adobe buildings within the monument and took measurements to prepare documentation. The workshop ran from November 1st through November 14. The project is ongoing.
Photos by Angela Francis
ORGAN PIPE and JOSHUA TREE
From Casa Grande, Angela and Issac travelled to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, where they assessed the historic adobe Dos Lomitas Ranch House. The four-room adobe is located next to the Mexican border and new border wall. Built in 1920, it is an example of vernacular Sonoran style architecture with a flat roof, adobe walls and a large mesquite post and saguaro rib ramada outside (no longer standing). Under an agreement with the park, Cornerstones is working on a preservation plan to repair and stabilize the adobe in training workshops.
From Organ Pipe the two proceeded to Joshua Tree National Park to assess the adobe ruins of the Ryan Ranch House and plan workshops for preservation. Built in 1896, the adobe house was used by the Ryan family, who operated a nearby mine. Because clay sources in the park are rare, the adobes were made with mine tailings. A plan is being prepared to conduct adobe preservation field schools with a focus on applying earthen plasters using local volunteers. A long-term volunteer program is envisioned.
Photos by Angela Francis and Issac Logsdon
BUILDING HISTORIC WINDOWS in MORA
A woodworking training project at the Santo Nino de Atocha Mission Church in Buena Vista, NM started on Nov. 24 and will run into the Spring of 2021. Cornerstones’ youth interns, Robbie Kelly and Santiago Vigil, will learn how to construct and install historic windows for the church. Cornerstones’ field leader, Stephen Calles, is conducting the workshop. These workshops are funded by a grant from the Catholic Foundation.
Photo of Robbie and Santiago, on left, by Stephen Calles, file image on right.
Window Restoration at the School House, Lake Valley, NM
Stephen is also managing the window and door restoration project at the Lake Valley ghost town site. Lake Valley was a silver mining bonanza town during the late 19th century and is owned by BLM. BLM is partnering with Cornerstones to assist in preserving several adobe buildings on site.
Due to COVID-19 our volunteer workshop opportunities are limited to only 1 or 2 individuals at any time and CDC safety protocols are being followed. Our intention is to document the work in such a way as to be able to share case study work digitally.
