It was established in 1851 by Vicente Romero[1] who found the nearby location of Fort Union provided both protection from the Apache and a market for his crops.

[2] Legend has it that he named the village La Cueva because he lived in a nearby cave (Sp.

David Salman purchased the former La Cueva Ranch in Mora County, which he revitalized by producing farm products, particularly raspberries.

[6] In April 1980 there was controversy over a proposed music and ecology festival to be held on the 36,000 acres (15,000 ha) ranch, expected to attract up to 300,000 people.

[7] La Cueva Lake is 1 mile (1.6 km) east of the village.