Santa Fe County
W. Palace & E. San Francisco Street
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
LATITUDE: N35, 41.235
LONGITUDE: W105 56.274
Historical Significance
The Daughters of the American Revolution marked the Santa Fe Trail in 1910 and a monument sits within the historic Santa Fe Plaza in front of the Palace of the Governors. New Mexico was a Territory at the time and the DAR State Regent, Mary Catherine Prince was instrumental in having these monuments placed after purchasing all 23 for the sum of $700. The monuments are made of Salida, Colorado grey granite and 19 are still standing today. 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 known as the End of the Trail in Santa Fe, New Mexico. When the monument was placed in 1910 and celebrated in 1911, DAR State Regent, Mary Catherine Prince (1894-1914), wife of the New Mexico Territorial Governor, L. Bradford Prince, was the one who spearheaded the project of placing the monuments along the trail through New Mexico. There followed a celebratory dedication of this specific monument with numerous dignitaries and citizens gathered to dedicate the last monument to be placed along the Santa Fe Trail.
Historical Designations
- National: National Register of Historic Places & National Historic District
- State/County: State Historical Commission & County Historical Commission
- Local: City Landmark
- Other: National Historic Site, New Mexico Register of Historic Places, National Treasure
Historical Marker
- Marker Date: August 21, 1911
- State of Marker Organization: New Mexico
- Marker Organization: Daughters of the American Revolution
- Marker Text:
This Stone Marks the End of the Santa Fe Trail 1822-1879.
Erected by the
Daughters of the
American Revolution
and the Territory of
New Mexico 1910.
[A map depicting the states of Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma.]
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
Tourism
- Open to Public
- Family Friendly
- Lodging