Wagon Mound National Historic Landmark
Encyclopedia
Wagon Mound is a butte
that was a landmark for pioneers, which has been designated a National Historic Landmark
. It is located above Wagon Mound, New Mexico
, a village named after the butte.
Wagon Mound butte was the last great landmark on the westward journey across the plains of northeastern New Mexico. It was a guidepost seen by all travelers on the High Plains section of the Cimarron Cutoff of the Santa Fe Trail
.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1963. Santa Clara Spring, a natural camping spot two miles northwest of the mound, may be included in the landmarked area. Extensive ruts remain as evidence of the route of the trail.
Butte
A butte is a conspicuous isolated hill with steep, often vertical sides and a small, relatively flat top; it is smaller than mesas, plateaus, and table landform tables. In some regions, such as the north central and northwestern United States, the word is used for any hill...
that was a landmark for pioneers, which has been designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
. It is located above Wagon Mound, New Mexico
Wagon Mound, New Mexico
Wagon Mound is a village in Mora County, New Mexico, United States. It is named after and located at the foot of a butte called Wagon Mound, which was a landmark for covered wagon trains and traders going up and down the Santa Fe Trail and is now Wagon Mound National Historic Landmark. The shape...
, a village named after the butte.
Wagon Mound butte was the last great landmark on the westward journey across the plains of northeastern New Mexico. It was a guidepost seen by all travelers on the High Plains section of the Cimarron Cutoff of the Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe Trail
The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century transportation route through central North America that connected Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pioneered in 1822 by William Becknell, it served as a vital commercial and military highway until the introduction of the railroad to Santa Fe in 1880...
.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1963. Santa Clara Spring, a natural camping spot two miles northwest of the mound, may be included in the landmarked area. Extensive ruts remain as evidence of the route of the trail.