| Santa Fe Trail Site
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Description
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Wootton Ranch
15K
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The Wootton Ranch is near I-25 at the north entrance
to Raton Pass, on the Colorado-New Mexico state line. This ranch is famous
as the home of Richens Lacy "Uncle Dick" Wootton, who owned and
operated the Raton Pass toll road. The ranch house was a copy of the Hough-Baca House
in Trinidad, Colorado. The house was destroyed in 1905 and then rebuilt by James Ownby
from available plans.
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Cruz Torres Grave)
12K
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The Cruz Torres Grave is on the Wootton Ranch at Raton Pass. Cruz
Torres was murdered near the ranch and was buried south of the ranch
house.
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Raton Pass (NHL)
21K
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Raton Pass sits astride the Colorado-New Mexico border. This pass
was difficult to cross until the Army made improvements during the Mexican War,
but it was not widely used until "Uncle Dick" Wootton started improving it in
1864 as part of his toll road. Today the pass is near the route of the railroad
and I-25.
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| Willow Springs
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The Willow Springs are at 545 Railroad Avenue in Raton, New Mexico.
These springs were at the south end of Raton Pass as was a campsite
and a stage station. The spring is now capped and used as a well by the current
property owner. It was the landmark around which the town of Raton developed.
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Clifton House
27K
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The Clifton House site is south out of Raton on I-25 and west of
the junction with US 64. This house was a trading post and a stage station as well
as a popular stop on the Mountain Route. The Canadian River crossing is nearby.
Only the remains of one wall are still standing at this site.
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Logo Indicates
Certified Santa Fe National Historic Trail Sites