| Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument | |
| Nrhp Type: | hd |
| Nocat: | yes |
| Nrhp Type2: | nmon |
| Designated Other1: | New Mexico |
| Designated Other1 Date: | May 21, 1971 |
| Designated Other1 Number: | 64 |
| Designated Other1 Num Position: | bottom |
| Coordinates: | 34.2597°N -106.0903°W |
| Built: | 1622-1635 |
| Added: | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated Nrhp Type2: | November 1, 1909 |
| Visitation Num: | 32,414 |
| Visitation Year: | 2016 |
| Website: | Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument |
| Refnum: | 66000494 |
The Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is a complex of three Spanish missions located in the U.S. state of New Mexico, near Mountainair. The main park visitor center is in Mountainair. Construction of the missions began in 1622 and was completed in 1635.[1] [2]
Once, thriving Native American trade communities of Tiwa and Tompiro language-speaking Pueblo people inhabited this remote frontier area of central New Mexico. They had an extensive area of pueblo dwellings and related kivas and other structures.
Early in the 17th century Spanish Franciscans believed the area ripe for their missionary efforts. However, by the late 1670s the entire Salinas District, as the Spanish had named it, was depopulated of both Indian and Spaniard. What remains today are austere yet beautiful reminders of this earliest contact between Pueblo Indians and Spanish Colonials: the ruins of three mission churches, at Quarai, Abó, and Gran Quivira, and the partially excavated pueblo of Las Humanas or, as it is known today, the Gran Quivira pueblo.
The site was first proclaimed Gran Quivira National Monument on November 1, 1909. Administered by the National Park Service, the National Monument for this site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. On December 19, 1980, the footprint of the site was enlarged to include two New Mexico State Monuments on November 2, 1981. The enlarged site was renamed on October 28, 1988.
See also: Hispanic Heritage Sites (U.S. National Park Service).
See main article: Quarai. The Quarai Ruins are located about 8 miles north of Mountainair, at about 6650 feet (2026 m) above sea level. There is a visitor center and a 0.5 mile (0.8 km) trail through the ruins. In a forest, an interpretive sign reads that when Francis Gardes traveled through the area, he heard birds sing a song called "When Explorers Came". Francis Gardes's trail became Francis Garde National Historic Trail, and it passes through Quarai.
See main article: Abo (historic place).
The Abo Pueblo community was established in the 11th century on the edge of the existing pueblo culture, and often attracted roaming Nomadic Tribes of the eastern plains. San Gregorio de Abó Mission (located in Mountainair, New Mexico) was one of three Spanish missions constructed in or near the pueblos of central New Mexico. These missions, built in 1600s, are now a part of the Salinas Pueblo National Monument which includes San Gregorio de Abó Mission, Quarai and Gran Quivera.
The mission at Abo was established in 1625 by Fray Francisco Fonte.
See main article: Las Humanas.
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.
The Gran Quivera Historic District was listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.