Conquistador General Don Diego de Vargas led hundreds of Spanish pioneers to resettle New Mexico after the 1680 Indian Revolt. This little-known colonial period brought peace and prosperity to settlers and Native Americans in what later became northern New Mexico and parts of surrounding states. Spanish Royalty awarded many faithful soldiers and settlers with grants of land to establish farms, ranches, and ultimately to populate villas that became cities such as Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos.

U.S. Navy Master Chief of 30 years, Elmer Eugene Maestas set sail on a serious study of...