According to The Montezuma (New Mexico) Story, the site was initially commercialized in 1840, when a man named McDonald petitioned the Mexican government for the land, and was granted it on the condition he became a Mexican citizen. He then set up a house by the hot springs and charged for admission to the springs. In 1846, after the territory of New Mexico was conquered by the U.S. Army and taken from Mexico, a military hospital was established near the hot springs.
According to The Montezuma (New Mexico) Story, the site was initially commercialized in 1840 when a man named McDonald obtained land from the Mexican government under the condition he become a Mexican citizen. He then established a house near the hot springs and charged for admission to the springs. In 1846, after New Mexico was taken by the U.S. Army, a military hospital was built nearby.