Erna Fergusson

Erna Fergusson (January 10, 1888 – July 30, 1964[1][2]) was a writer, historian, and storyteller, who documented the culture and history of New Mexico for more than forty years.

[1] Erna, the eldest of four children, grew up in La Glorieta, which was her primary residence in New Mexico.

[1][2] Prior to graduating, she did preparatory work at the University of New Mexico (1904) and the Collegiate School in Los Angeles (1905).

A year later Erna completed her master's degree in history from Columbia University in New York.

During World War I she took a job with the Red Cross as the home service secretary and State Supervisor for New Mexico.

After the war she became a reporter for the Albuquerque Herald and the New Mexico Highway Journal, writing various articles regarding her hometown.

[1] She was commissioned in 1926 by Century Magazine to write “Redskins to Railroads” and “From Rodeo to Rotary” two of her pieces, which many years later along with other short works became published.

[8] In 1958 Theta Sigma Phi, the national women's journalistic fraternity, awarded her an honorary membership in the Albuquerque Alumni chapter.