Donaciano Vigil inherited this house in the Barrio de Guadalupe from his parents in 1832. Vigil was a major political figure in Santa Fe during the Mexican and early Territorial periods, serving as military secretary to Mexican governor Manuel Armijo. After the American occupation in 1846, Vigil was named Territorial secretary by brigadier general Stephen Watts Kearney. After the assassination of Governor Charles Bent, Vigil took over as acting civil territorial governor, while continuing to serve as secretary from 1848 to 1850. Chicago-born artist Charlotte White and her companion, sculptor Boris Gilbertson, thoughtfully refurbished the house beginning in 1959. The Donaciano Vigil House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 for its significance to political life in the Mexican and early Territorial periods in New Mexico.
From Old Santa Fe Today, 5th edition by Audra Bellmore with photographs by Simone Frances.