Historical Significance

 

The Daughters of the American Revolution marked the Santa Fe Trail in 1910 and a monument sits NM283 and I25 on a public road. The Santa Fe Trail came via this route in the early 1820s. New Mexico State Regent Ellen Farrell placed this marker in  November 6, 1996. The monument is made of grey granite and 19 others were still standing at that time. The celebration of the upcoming 200th Anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail, a major international trail and road, will be celebrated in 2021-2022. New Mexico's final monument is the End of the Trail in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This area of the 1821 meeting between William Becknell's trading party from Missouri, US and the Spanish Military led by Pedro Ygnacio Gallegos. Becknell was escorted to Santa Fe, where he sold his goods at a profit, then returned to Missouri, thus a trading enterprise between the two countries - Mexico and the US. This same route was used in 1846 by Brigidair General Stephen Watts Kearny who led a regiment of US soldiers (Army of the West) on their way to Santa Fe - where he declared New Mexico a US Territory. This gap in the mountain is now known as Kearny Gap. 

 

 

Historical Designations

 

County District turnout with history panel depicting the area.  Marked by the National Park Service and the official New Mexico Highway sign giving more information. 

 

 

Historical Marker

 

• Marker Date: November 6, 1996
• State of Marker Organization: New Mexico
• Marker Organization: Daughters of the American Revolution
• Marker Text: 

 

A Landmark meeting, the chance meeting near this spot

on November 13, 1821, of Capt Pedro Gallego's

militia with William Becknell's party from Missouri,

led to the opening of the Santa Fe Trail,

marked by the New Mexico State Society, DAR 1996.

 

 

Funding

 

In 1910, 23 monuments were funded by the Daughters of the American Revolution for  a purchase price of $700. In 1947, Dr. Margaret Long, surveyed and found 19 monuments. A compiled booklet of all the monuments dated 1993-1995 was accomplished by Mrs. Juanita Hill, New Mexico DAR State Historian. In 1994 some steps were taken to locate the monuments and do some minor repairs. The State Regents Centennial Project from 1997-1999 was to re-document the monuments. A recent survey and audit has been done from 2017-2020 to locate all the monuments, photograph them and work with communities to preserve the monuments themselves.  Made from Salida, Colorado granite to survive the weather and withstand time, New Mexico's Daughters have worked on these markers since 1910.

 

 

Physical Condition

 

• Property: Preserve and Rehabilitate 

 

Tourism

• Open to Public
• Family Friendly
• Lodging