| Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa Named an Historic Hotel of America |
Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa in Santa Fe is now part of Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. To be eligible for this designation, a hotel must be at least 50 years old, listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, or recognized locally as having historic significance. Bishop’s Lodge is one of more than 200 hotels and resorts throughout the country recognized by Historic Hotels for preserving and maintaining their historic integrity, architecture and ambiance. Bishop’s Lodge is on the site of ancient ruins inhabited by the Tesuque people. It became part of a Spanish land grant in 1743, and farmers grew squash, corn and wheat on the land. In 1853, Jean Baptiste Lamy, a French priest, was appointed Bishop of Santa Fe. Seeking a retreat, Lamy found the site, three miles north of Santa Fe, and bought small parcels of land over time. He eventually built a house, a small chapel, and landscaped the land.After his death, the land passed through a succession of owners, among them the Pulitzer family. The Thorpe family bought it in 1918 and began extensive expansions, constructing many of the present lodges, the equestrian area, the swimming pool, tennis courts and a skeet shooting range. In 1998 Thorpe heirs sold the property to the present owners. In addition to its designation by the National Register, Historic Hotels is a brand of the Preferred Hotel Group. |