| Santa Fe Trail Site
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Description
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| Puertocito Pedregosa
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After leaving Las Vegas, travelers had to find an
easy pass through the high ridge of hills. Two passes within a few miles
were probably used and the Puertocito Pedrogosa was probably the most used.
It is north of the railroad tracks and I-25.
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| Tecolote
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The town of Tecolote was founded at the Tecolote River
crossing during the Santa Fe Trail years. The Tecolote Creek crossing is
12 miles south of Las Vegas on I-25. The crossing was used well into the
20th century, and it is still visible. Wagon ruts in the hill to the south
attest to the intensity of traffic.
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Starvation Peak (Bernal Hill)
32K
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Starvation Peak, also know as Bernal Hill, is about 5 miles
southwest of Tecolote, New Mexico. This peak was a landmark for Santa Fe Trail
travelers. The Trail swung to the west near this hill. Bernal Spring was at this
point and for a time, a stage station.
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San Miguel del Vado (NRHP)
20K
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San Miguel del Vado is south of I-25 and about 26 miles southwest
of Las Vegas. San Miguel was one of the first places that caravans crossed the
Pecos River, and it was the first Hispanic settlement on the trail in New
Mexico, until 1835. Traders often camped here. The old church at San Miguel was
present throughout the Trail period and it still stands today, although it has
been remodeled. The plaza at San Miguel was formed by adjoining adobe houses.
Some of the houses are now gone but the outline of the plaza can still be
seen.
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Pecos River Crossing
25K
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San Jose del Vado
19K
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San Jose del Vado is about 28 miles southwest of Las Vegas, in San
Miguel County, and south of I-25. This was a community on the west bank of the
Pecos River. The adobe houses were built around the square, which could be
closed for defense in time of Indian raids. The route of the Santa Fe Trail
through San Jose was shorter than through San Miguel, and after Las Vegas was
settled, this route came into greater use. Many of the old houses around the
plaza remain.
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Logo Indicates
Certified Santa Fe National Historic Trail Sites