"Visit Our Ancestors" Cemetery Tour September 12, 2009

Las Cruces, NM – “Visit Our Ancestors” Cemetery Tours organized by the Branigan Cultural Center travels to the community of Mesquite on Saturday, September 12, 2009 to tour the Missionary Ridge Cemetery. The cemetery was established in 1933 to serve the communities of Mesquite and Brazito. The goal of the program is to increase awareness of various cultures, traditions, and history of the people who settled our region.

The tour starts at 10:00 a.m. at the cemetery. Participants should allow for a 2 hour walking tour, little or no seating, over uneven terrain, where trip hazards may exist. In addition, participants are strongly encouraged to wear sturdy walking shoes, long sleeved shirts, hats, sunscreen, and carry bottled water. There is no fee to participate. No registration is required.

Directions: Unless you are already familiar with side roads in the Brazito and Mesquite area, access to Missionary Ridge Cemetery is best accomplished from Stern Drive and I-10. From I-10 take the Mesquite exit, and take the access road on the west side of the highway. This is Stern Drive, go north (towards Las Cruces) for 1 mile. At the Missionary Ridge Cemetery sign, turn west onto a dirt road. Follow the road for 0.2 mile turn left onto a smaller dirt road. The road ends at the cemetery.