Most Las Cruceans whiz through Socorro, New Mexico, at 75 mph on the way to Albuquerque or Santa Fe. In the year 1598, however, Spanish colonist, Don Juan de Oñate y Salazar, pulled off the Camino Real at the location of present-day Socorro to rest and meet with the Piro-speaking people of the Teypana Pueblo. The Indians were friendly to the Spanish and gave them a gift of corn as they left. Two Franciscan priests chose to remain with the Indians and it was Father Alfonso Benavidez who named the village Nuestra Senora de Perpetuo Socorro, meaning Our Lady of Perpetual Help, later shortened to Socorro. In the 1600s, with the help of the Pueblo Indians, San Miguel Mission was built in Socorro to serve the Spanish farmers of the area and the Piro pueblos.

The City of Socorro and Socorro County today are home to numerous historic elements and to treasures the European colonists could never have imagined. An intriguing collection of mission churches and both Indian and Spanish ruins remain, as well as one of the largest western cavalry forts, a historic cattle drive corridor, a rest stop for tens of thousands of migratory birds, a massive mineral museum on the campus of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and the center for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Socorro is absolutely worthy of a getaway, using the city as a hub for exploring in every direction. Starting with Socorro itself, visit historic San Miguel Church with its massive walls and high windows, the burial place of the last Governor of New Mexico under Mexican rule. The Mineralogical Museum on the campus of New Mexico Tech houses over 15,000 specimens, including a breathtaking ultraviolet mineral exhibit.

In the late fall, Socorro becomes a birder’s paradise. The City works with Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in sponsoring Festival of the Cranes. The refuge and visitor center provide opportunities for viewing thousands of migrating geese and sandhill cranes, and many other species.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is centered on the campus of New Mexico Tech, but its Very Large Array (VLA) of Radio Telescopes is physically located about 50 miles west on the Plains of San Agustin. A visitor center at the VLA explains how the 27 radio antennas, each 82 feet in diameter and weighing 230 tons, are coordinated to function as a single antenna 22 miles across. On the way to the VLA you should stop at the tiny arts community of Magdalena, which was once the railroad loading point for cattle herded from Western New Mexico and Eastern Arizona.

To the north of Socorro is the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, combining the ruins of three imposing Franciscan churches from the 1400s and the excavation of an Indian Pueblo. To the south of Socorro, Fort Craig, built as a cavalry deterrent against Indian attacks, was the site of a Civil War battle. A short drive south of Fort Craig is the recently established El Camino Real International Heritage Center, a state monument presenting the history and heritage of Spain’s Royal Road to the Interior.

Whether passing through Socorro or spending a few days, Las Cruces magazine highly recommends checking out Socorro Springs Restaurant and Brewery. Pecan wood-fired grills and ovens turn out great pizzas, pastas, steaks, fajitas, pork and salmon. Ahead of New Mexico’s recent focus on green chile cheeseburgers, Socorro Springs had already established its “World-Famous Burger” with green chile, spices, a choice of cheese and a Haynekamp lager.

Complimenting the excellent fare at Socorro Springs is the on-site ten-barrel brewery producing about 30 gallons per week and allowing up to nine brews on tap, plus root beer and crème soda or ginger ale. Coming from a mining background, I felt compelled to taste the Pickaxe brew…and it was great! Brewmaster Byron Morton is experienced at both brewing and building the equipment. He spent 14 years as a production engineer in the semi conductor industry but decided to turn his 20-year brewing hobby into a career. The beer has won medals at the New Mexico State Fair and twice won Best of Festival at the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival – and there were 50 brewers invited. On the side, Byron continues to take classes at Tech in Mechanical Engineering. By the way, owners Mic and Molley Heynecamp met at and graduated from New Mexico Tech and they are opening a second location in Buena Vista, Colorado. Stop in at Socorro Springs and tell General Manager Greg Freidline where you’re from – he’ll take good care of you at the restaurant and is very familiar with the region.

There are modern motels in Socorro, of course, but Las Cruces magazine discovered a great B & B located a few miles south of Socorro and east of San Antonio. Fite Ranch Bed and Breakfast is the renovated boarding house for the historic coal mining operation at Tokay, New Mexico. The rooms were combined into four casitas, each uniquely decorated and consisting of a bedroom, private bath, living room and kitchen. A long veranda ties them all together. Attached to the main ranch house is a large renovated bunkhouse that is perfect for a family getaway. Co-owner Linda Brown says her guests are often mining enthusiasts, visitors to the Bosque del Apache refuge and just people wanting a different experience. She leaves muffins and burritos for those wanting to get an early start to the refuge.

Be bold. Exit Interstate 25 at Socorro, and help yourself to a little unexpected history, nature, astronomy, pasta and microbrew.