Los Alamos County Council Chair Sharon Stover honors descendants of the Pajarito Plateau Homesteaders gathered on the north lawn of Fuller Lodge for a special ceremony Friday. The event celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Homestead Act with a special dedication of the new Los Alamos Homestead Tour commemorating the life and contributions of the Pajarito Plateau homesteaders. Stover told the crowd that she also is a descendant of the Pajarito Plateau homesteaders. The Los Alamos County Council and the Los Alamos Historical Society, in partnership with the Fuller Lodge/Historic Districts Advisory Board hosted the grand celebration denoting the launch of the new Los Alamos Homestead Tour. Stover recognized the Los Alamos Historical Society and the Fuller Lodge/Historic Districts Advisory Board for their efforts on this historical project. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

The event took place near the historic Romero Cabin. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Jim Goforth represented the hometeader White Family at Site # 2. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Joe Gutierrez, far left, represented homestead families including the Brook, Hopper and Connell families at site #1, the Quintana family at Site #2, the Gonzales families at Site #3 and Site #4, the Martinez family at Site #5, the Quintana and Lujan families at Site #6 and the Gonzales, Roybal and Martinez families at Site #7. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Homestead descendants joined local dignitaries for the ribbon cutting ceremony officially dedicating the new Los Alamos Homestead Tour. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

The Los Alamos Homestead Tour was authorized by the Los Alamos County Council in 2011 to acknowledge and honor the homesteaders who settled the area now know as Los Alamos townsite. Particpants in the project include the Los Alamos Historical Society, Fuller Lodge/Historic Districts Advisory Board, Los Alamos County Parks and Community and Economic Development, local historic experts and members of the homesteader families.

Los Alamos County Open Space Specialist Craig Martin, left, with County Parks Manager Dick McIntyre participated in the Hometead Tour project, which is part of the New Mexico Centennial and commemorates the townsite’s unique place in the State’s history. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Historian Nancy Bartlit supervised the registration table at Friday’s event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

County officials attended Friday’s event including, from left Public Works Director Anne Laurent, Deputy County Administrator Brian Bosshardt and County Administrator Harry Burgess.

Council Chair Sharon Stover cuts pieces of ribbon for homestead descendents to keep as a reminder of the event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

A reception on the patio of Fuller Lodge followed the dedication with special exhibits on display inside Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Historic re-enactors wandered the grounds at Friday’s event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Capping off Friday’s festivities, three buses shuttled families and community members around the Los Alamos Homestead Tour, which includes seven locations within the townsite at which signs at each stop provide information on homesteads located in the vicinity. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Historian Judy Machen was one of the tour guides. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

The day brought back many memories for homestead descendants. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com