New Mexico Office of the State Historian : Peralta

Peralta

This community's name recalls Andrés and Manuel de Peralta, who came to New Mexico before 1680, and also Pedro de Peralta, a native of Valladolid in New Spain, who was among those returning to NM after the reconquest in 1692. Their descendants still live in the area. Locally, the community has been known as Los Placeres, "the placers," for reasons unknown. In 1862, a battle between Confederate and Union troops occurred near here. In 1863 Col. Kit Carson mobilized his forces here prior to their campaign against the Navajos. In 1865, the Post Office's name was changed to Los Pinos, "the pines," or perhaps a family name, but in 1866 it reverted to Peralta.

Taken from Robert Julyan, Place Names of New Mexico, 2nd ed., University of New Mexico Press, 1998.