Historical Significance

The Daughters of the American Revolution marked the Santa Fe Trail and a marker sits at entrance to the building.  The Santa Fe Trail came via this route in the early 1850s. 

 

Rayado was founded by Kit Carson  who first built a cabin here about 1845.  Others came and ran cattle, mined for ore and traveled back and forth on the trail.  Known as part of the mountain route, it joins the alternate or Cimarron Cutoff of the Santa Fe Trail.  Later a mansion was built by Lucian Maxwell and they purchased the land grant known as Maxwell. The remodeled Kit Carson home is now a museum and houses artifacts from the area and the Santa Fe Trail. The property is part of the Rayado Historic District. 

 

Historical Designations

 

• State/County: State Historical Commission
• Other: Rayado Historic District

 

Historical Marker

 

• Marker Date: c 1910
• State of Marker Organization: New Mexico
• Marker Organization: Daughters of the American Revolution
• Marker Text: 

 

Santa Fe Trail (via Bent's Fort) 1822-1879

Marked by the 

Daughters of the 

American Revolution 

and the Territory of New Mexico 1910

 

Funding

 

The marker was originally funded by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1910 and in 1994 some steps were taken to locate them and do some minor repairs. Made from Salida granite to survive the weather and withstand time. New Mexico's Daughters have worked on these markers since 1910. 

 

Physical Condition

 

• Property: Preserve

 

Tourism

 

• Open to Public
• Family Friendly

 

Promotional Materials Available

 

Website Link: https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/museums/rayado/