Felix Martinez set forth his political views in his La Voz del Pueblo, gaining him local support, and ousting the Republicans from the Territorial Council seat in 1890 and 1892. During his time on the legislature he gathered enough support to secure a state college for Las Vegas, called initially the Normal School. This earned him the title "Father of the Normal School."

The photo above is Springer Hall, built of local sandstone in a Richardsonian Romanesque style, after a fire in 1922. It had been named after Maxwell Land Grant Co. attorney and School board regent Frank Springer. Below it stands just after it's construction in 1898. After the 1922 fire, classes were held at the Duncan Opera House and the First Baptist Church, the latter mysteriously burning down seven days after the Normal University fire. Springer Hall was completely restored, except simpler window frames, to its original external appearance. In 1955, another fire tore through the building, and later it was dismantled. The Normal University became the New Mexico Highlands University.