Jemez Springs in Sandoval County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Jémez State Monument

Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 25, 2014

1. Jémez State Monument Marker

Inscription. The village of Giusewa was occupied by ancestors of the Jémez Indians before the arrival of the Spanish in 1541. Its ruins lie close to those of the great stone mission church of San José de los Jémez, which was built by the Franciscans around 1622.

Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1541.

Location. 35° 46.947′ N, 106° 41.241′ W. Marker is in Jemez Springs, New Mexico, in Sandoval County. Marker is on State Road 4 just north of Jemez Springs, on the left when traveling east. State Highway 4 is an east-west route, runs mostly north-south through Jemez Springs. The marker is just north of the entrance to the Jémez State Monument. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jemez Springs NM 87025, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Evelyn M. Vigil, Phan-Un-Pha-Kee (Young Doe) 1921–1995 (approx. 9.8 miles away); Pueblo of Jémez (approx. 9.8 miles away).

More about this monument. The site the marker refers to has had a name change. It is now the Jemez Historic Site.

Regarding Jémez State Monument. There is a $3 charge per

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person to visit the ruins. This includes a written self-guided 24-stop tour and access to a small museum in the visitor’s center. It is open from 8:30 to 5 Wednesday through Sunday.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 25, 2014

2. Jémez State Monument Marker

Ruins of San José de los Jémez Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 25, 2014

3. Ruins of San José de los Jémez Church

Remains of the Village of Guisewa image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 25, 2014

4. Remains of the Village of Guisewa

The towers of the present-day Mary Mother of Priests Catholic Church are in the distance. The informational panel reads “Guisewa was a thriving community for at least 200 years prior to the arrival of the Spanish. It was one of the largest and most impressive pueblos in the Jemez area. The pueblo is known to have extended under the present highway and beyond to the site of Villa Coeli. All that is left of the pueblo are these mounds of rock and dirt that mark the spot of ancient homes.”

Photographed By Richard Denney, March 18, 2009

5. Kiva

One of the kivas associated with the Guisewa Pueblo

San José de los Jémez Mission image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard Denney

6. San José de los Jémez Mission

Panorama of side of mission ruins

Mission Interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard Denney, March 18, 2009

7. Mission Interior

View of mission church ruins interior, facing altar.

Photographed By Richard Denney, March 18, 2009

8. Mission Interior

View from inside mission church ruins, from altar facing entrance.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 519 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 26, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 12, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.