U.S. 85, Watrous, New Mexico. County/parish: Mora.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places October 15, 1966. NRIS 66000480.
24 contributing buildings. 7 contributing sites. 1 contributing structure.Also known as:
Watrous, also named La Junta, is a National Historic Landmark District near Watrous, New Mexico. It encompasses the historic junction point of the two major branches of the Santa Fe Trail, a major 19th-century frontier settlement route between St. Louis, Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico. La Junta, marked this junction point, as well as the first major indications of civilization before westbound travelers reached Santa Fe. The district includes a large area west of the modern community of Watrous, encompassing the confluence of the Mora and Sapello Rivers. Surviving buildings include the houses of early ranchers, as well as a stagecoach mailstop and inn. The district was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1963.
(read more...)National Park Service documentation: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/77846998