El Camino Real Historic Trail Site
The El Camino Real Historic Trail Site was a center about the culture and history about the El Camino Real trail and the colonization of New Mexico. The center, an official New Mexico Historic Site, is permanently closed. The Center featured exhibit panels and artifacts about the people who traveled along the trail, the desert and life in the 18th century.
Mission
The center commemorated the heritage of the antiquated road that connected Mexico City with Santa Fe, New Mexico in the region once known as New Spain.
The center was operated by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs until it closed. The US Bureau of Land Management and the countries of Spain and Mexico contributed to the project, making it a truly international undertaking. The facility was completed in 2005 and was designed by Dekker / Perich / Sabatini Architects and Engineers of Albuquerque, NM.
Location
It was situated approximately halfway between the cities of Albuquerque, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. When open, it was accessible from Interstate 25 at exit 115, approximately 35 miles south of Socorro, New Mexico.
Displays
The site featured a display of non-motorized travel aimed at providing modern motorists with an appreciation for the difficulty of traversing the desert environment. An outdoor amphitheater featured traditional music heard along the journey reflecting the diverse folkways that developed as many cultures met on the legendary trade route.
- note: When referring to the center, "El" may be dropped in favor of "the" to distinguish from the road, but the two words are never used together. Occasionally the word "International" is omitted.
External links
- El Camino Real Historic Trail Site - official site of the Site's friend's organization.