Klein Park — part of the fabric of Las Cruces

Within the Mesquite Street Original Townsite Historic District sits a green space occupying an entire block and bordering the historic El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro trade route.

Deeded as a park to the city on June 24, 1939, for $10 by M. B. Clark, Mrs. O. W. Manney, and Roy Bean (son of Samuel F. Bean, not Judge Roy Bean), it honors Samuel Klein, a four-term mayor of Las Cruces who incorporated the city in 1948.

Klein Park is woven into the historical fabric of the city's oldest community, having been part of the city's initial 84-block layout on the orders of Don Pablo Melendrez, in 1849. Here generations of families have celebrated events since the mid-1800s.

After the demolition of St. Genevieve in 1967, the park assumed the role of the public plazuela that was de facto located on the entrance to the church grounds.

Boxing matches were held at the park in the late 1940s and 1950s and were central to the social and athletic fabric of the Mesquite District. These frequently featured young athletes from the Boys Club sponsored by the Elks and served as both neighborhood entertainment and a training ground for local youth.

The culture of boxing at Klein initiated our reputation as a "boxing town," now cemented by the likes of Louie and Rocky Burke, and Austin Trout.

Between 1950 and 1960, the Deiciseis de Septiembre Fiesta was held at Klein Park, sponsored by local Hispanic clubs. Two such clubs were De Colores and Los Paisanos.

These clubs organized fundraisers for local causes. They also hosted dances featuring live orchestras playing Boleros, Mambo, and early Tejano music, which celebrated Hispanic heritage and enforced strong neighborhood bonds. Irene Oliver Lewis and Sylvia Camunez speak of their father belonging to the Paisano club; he and their mother Cecilia sold taquitos and ran a Penny Toss booth at the fiesta every year.

These clubs held "queen" pageants and coronation balls at the fiestas and one year, their sister Elizabeth Camunez (nee DiMatteo), was crowned queen. 

In the mid-1960s, Lizzy, a vintage American La France fire truck, believed to be Las Cruces' first pumper fire engine, was placed in Klein Park by Fire Chief Juan Apodaca after it was retired from service. Generations of local children played on the engine.

In May 2013, it was removed due to safety and liability. Currently Lizzy is in the City’s Fleet lot rusting away. It is this writer’s opinion that she be mounted back in Klein Park; the funding originally acquired to restore her could be used to secure safety issues.

Mrs. Consuelo Lerma (1917-2004), founder of Las Esperanzas, Inc., initially recruited members at Klein Park, sitting at a card table talking to everyone about problems to fix in the neighborhood. LEI was formed in 1999 to address issues and to enhance communication with police. Its mission still focuses on the renaissance of the Mesquite Historic District and the preservation of its culture and buildings.

In 2016, Victor Gallegos and others founded the Zoot Suit Pachanga and Car Show which was held at Klein Park for some years. Started as a "backyard party," this event features zoot suits, car culture, and the preservation of local traditions.

This event is now held at Young Park although this writer still believes that with the proper infrastructure addressing parking and restrooms, it could remain at Klein Park.

Although few city-sponsored events are currently held at Klein Park, it continues to be a "place of pride," and a critical part of preserving community identity in the Las Cruces Original Townsite.