Introduction to Historical Markers in New Mexico

Historic Landmarks and Plaques in New Mexico's Land of Enchantment

Sep 29, 2009 Linda Gentile

From ancient petroglyphs to Route 66 motels and UFOs, New Mexico has a rich and diverse history. Its stories are told in historical markers and historic landmarks.

Landmark-hunters in New Mexico will find no lack of historical markers and sites. New Mexico has a historical marker system, maintains the New Mexico Register of Cultural Properties, and has over 800 National Register sites and nearly 50 National Historic Landmarks.

New Mexico Official Scenic Markers

New Mexico historical markers are large wooden boards suspended between two upright logs. They are rounded on top in a nod to the style of traditional markers; the apex contains a zia, the symbol of New Mexico. The rear often display a map with other nearby markers.

The historical marker system is operated by the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division. In July 2009, the HPN unveiled the first of 54 historical markers to celebrate women in New Mexico. While the state had already erected some 500 markers, not one of them featured women, and the initiative seeks to redress that balance.

Guides to Historical Markers in New Mexico

While there is no listing online, two comprehensive guide books exist and are interesting both for the stories they tell and the markers they document.

Traveling New Mexico: A Guide to the Historical and State Park Markers by Phil T. Archuletta and Sharyl S. Holden is perhaps the most comprehensive, since it is based on an actual survey conducted by the authors.

However, Roadside New Mexico: A Guide to Historic Markers by David Pike has interesting, somewhat longer essays and insights into New Mexico history.

Historic Landmarks in New Mexico

The Historic Preservation Division also nominates sites and properties to the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties and the National Register of Historic Places. Sites may or may not have plaques. National Historic Sites often have a classic square plaque, but plaques for other landmarks vary considerably.

In New Mexico, the cities of Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Columbus, Deming, the other Las Vegas, Silver City and the County of Lincoln all have Certified Local Government status. This gives these local governments access to grant money for preservation and allows for the setting up of preservation programs, including historic registers. Landmark-hunters could do worse than to arrive in those towns, ask for walking tours at the visitor bureau or Chamber of Commerce, and start wandering.

Other Interesting Historical Markers and Historic Landmarks in New Mexico

Route 66 cut from east to west through New Mexico. While its final route largely followed Interstate 40, an older alignment took the road through Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Both cities are linked by the fascinating Turquoise Trail (State Route 14), rich in art and turquoise-mining resources. Especially in Albuquerque, the driver can spot many original and one-off motels and know she is somewhere near Route 66.

A trip to El Morro National Monument is well worth a detour from the Interstate. Not only does this vast cliff offer hiking and wildlife-watching opportunities, it is covered in ancient petroglyphs and graffiti from as far back as the 16th century. As a bonus, the loop trail takes the traveler past a centuries-old pueblo.

Other highlights of New Mexico include the evocative Salinas Missions which comprise ruins of pueblos and churches, the UFO museum in Roswell, and the long, wild desert roads down which the state's historical markers can be found, easily reached beside the highway.

Readers may be interested in historical markers in Arizona, historical markers in Nevada, or indeed historical markers in general.

The copyright of the article Introduction to Historical Markers in New Mexico in Historical Travel is owned by Linda Gentile. Permission to republish Introduction to Historical Markers in New Mexico in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

New Mexico Historical Marker