Who founded the city of Las Cruces?

The founding of Las Cruces is attributed to Spanish settlers who established the area in the late 19th century. The city's name, meaning "The Crosses," reflects the region's Spanish colonial history, showcasing the influence of Spanish exploration and settlement in New Mexico. Spanish settlers brought with them agricultural practices, which transformed the local landscape and community structure, laying the groundwork for what would develop into a thriving town.

While Native American tribes inhabited the region long before Spanish contact, they did not found Las Cruces as a settled city. American frontier settlers arrived later and contributed to the city's growth, but they did not establish it. Additionally, while Mexican nationals were involved in agriculture in the region, their activities occurred in a context formed by earlier Spanish colonization rather than as founders of the city itself. Thus, the representation of Spanish settlers in the establishment of Las Cruces is the most accurate answer.