| Santa Fe Trail Site
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Description
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McNees Crossing (NHL)
21K
 |
McNees Crossing of Corrumpa Creek is 3.5 miles west of the Oklahoma
state line, then 1.5 miles south on New Mexico Highway 406. This rock crossing,
which is still visible, was named for a young trader who was killed there by
Indians in 1828. The crossing was also used as a campground, and a group of
traders celebrated the Fourth of July there in 1831. The site retains much of
its original appearance. Good wagon ruts may be seen in the area.
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Rabbit Ears (NHL)
12K
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The Rabbit Ears, which are actually two peaks, are about 7 miles
northwest of the town of Clayton and about 1 mile north of the road. The Trail
ran several miles north of Rabbit Ears, but it was a guiding landmark for the
approach to McNees Crossing.
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| Turkey Creek Camp (NHL)
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Turkey Creek Camp is about 7 miles north of Rabbit
Ears Mountain. The crossing of Turkey Creek was a difficult one. This site
had water, a nearby supply of firewood and good grazing land, making
it a better campsite for Santa Fe Trail travelers than McNees Crossing.
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| Rabbit Ears Creek Camp (NHL)
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The Rabbit Ears Creek Camp is on private land about
6 miles north of the town of Mount Dora. This was considered an excellent
campground, with spring water, grass, wood and game for food. Many wagon
trains reportedly rested at this site for a couple of days. Wagon ruts are
still visible. |
| Mount Dora (NHL)
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Mount Dora is south of the Rabbit Ears Creek camp
and north of US Highway 64/87, between Clayton and Mount Dora, New Mexico.
Mount Dora was a landmark for travelers on the Trail, although it was not
as significant as Round Mound. |
Round Mound
18K
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Round Mound is about 4 miles south of the intersection of US
Highway 64/87 and New Mexico Highway 120 at Grenville, New Mexico. Round Mound
was the major landmark, or steering point, after Santa Fe Trail travelers left
the Turkey Creek Camp. The Trail passed to the north of Round Mound, and
travelers often commented on it. An illustration in Josiah
Gregg's Commerce of the Prairies
shows a wagon train as seen from Round Mound. Today this site is known as
Mount Clayton.
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Logo Indicates
Certified Santa Fe National Historic Trail Sites