What are some of the historical facts about the Salinas Pueblo Missions?

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, near Mountainair, N.M. Permanent human settlement in the region began about 700 ce. By the 1300s the Anasazi, the ancestors of modern Pueblo Indians, were building the pueblos. These had become sizable communities by the time Spanish explorers arrived in the late 16th century.

Where can you find the ruins of the Salinas Pueblo missions?

Tucked away in the middle of New Mexico you’ll find Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. Its three distinct sites offer a glimpse into a unique time in history—a time entrenched with cultural borrowing, conflict and struggles.

What is Gran Quivira National Monument?

At some point, the pueblo and mission became known as Gran Quivira, and in November 1909, President Taft established Gran Quivira National Monument on November 1, 1909, to preserve “one of the largest and most important of the early Spanish church ruins.” San Isidro was first excavated and stabilized in 1951 by the National Park Service.

How far is Gran Quivira ruins from Mountainair?

Gran Quivira Ruins The Gran Quivira Ruins are located about 25 miles south of Mountainair, at about 6500 feet (1981 m) above sea level. There is a small visitor center near the parking lot. A 0.5 mile (0.8 km) trail leads through partially excavated pueblo ruins and the ruins of the uncompleted mission church.

What is the oldest structure in Gran Quivira?

Prior to Spanish contact, Gran Quivira was a vast city with multiple pueblos, and kivas. Mound 7, a 226 room structure from the Pueblo IV period (A.D.1275/1300-1600), is the largest and only fully excavated pueblo at the site.

When was the first mission to Gran Quivira built?

Later, with the arrival of Fray Alonso de Benavides in 1626, Gran Quivira was given more attention and later became a visita (a satellite mission without a resident Father) of Abó in 1629. That same year construction began on the first permanent mission at Gran Quivira.