This is the homepage of the Merced de Chililí.  The Village of Chililí is located on Hwy 377 in the Manzano mountains.  Founded in the 1840s it was confirmed by an Act of Congress in 1858.  A patent was issued in 1909.

Chililí has a few hundred inhabitants and a few thousand acres of common land.  It is a farming, ranching, and forestry community that maintains traditions established a century and a half ago, when New Mexico was still within the territory of Mexico.

Chililí has a tradition of fierce independence–the strength of which was forged in conflict with new settlers that arrived after 1848 and through various means acquired title to some of its ancestral lands.  It is a sovereign, self-governing community recognized as a unit of government by the state of New Mexico.  Because of its location, scenary, resources, and exquisite beauty, and perhaps other reasons, it has attracted land speculators and persons who want to purchase common lands.  There are signs posted along the highway in Chililí that indicate the response of Chililí heirs and residents.  A photo of one of these is reproduced below:

Chililí is the community we love.  Please respect it and help us protect it.

About this site

This website is designed to inform the public about our merced.  It provides some historical information, a description of some of the projects we have undertaken, a gallery of photos of our community and some of its sites, some reference information and links to related websites, and information on how to contact us.

Photo credits

Unless otherwise indicated, the photos on this website are the property of the Merced de Chililí.