Near Las Cruces in Doña Ana County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
San Augustín Pass
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2014
1. San Augustín Pass Marker (updated photo; wording has changed slightly)
Divide between the Tularosa Basin to the east and Jornada del Muerto to the west, cut between the Organ Mountains to the south and the San Augustín-San Andrés Mountains to the north. White gypsum sands glisten to the northeast. Roadcuts in Tertiary monzonite. Organ mines yielded copper, lead, silver, gold, zinc, and fluorite. Elevation 5,710 feet.
(new wording as of June 5, 2014)
The pass has always provided the best access through three mountain ranges, the Organ to the south and the San Andres and San Agustin to the north. It was chosen as the route for U.S. 70, one of the nation's first coast—to—coast highways. Road cuts revealed Tertiary monzonite near the summit. Nearby, Organ Mountain mines yielded copper, lead, silver, gold and zinc. Gypsum sands glisten to the northeast, and to the west is Rio Grande Valley.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical date for this entry is June 5, 2014.
Location. 32° 25.495′ N, 106° 33.917′ W. Marker is near Las Cruces, New Mexico, in Doña Ana County
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Nike Hercules Missile (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of San Agustín Springs (approx. 1.2 miles away); White Sands Missile Range (approx. 5.8 miles away); Pat Garrett Murder Site (approx. 10.1 miles away); America's First Battle of World War II: The Philippines (approx. 12½ miles away); Heroes of Bataan (approx. 12½ miles away); The Historic Green Bridge (approx. 12.6 miles away); Disappearance of Albert J. Fountain and his son Henry (approx. 12.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Las Cruces.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2014
2. San Augustín Pass Marker (map side 2; updated photo)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2014
3. San Augustín Pass Marker (wide view; updated photo)
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 5, 2010
4. San Augustín Pass Marker
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 5, 2010
5. Rear of San Augustín Pass Marker
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 5, 2010
6. San Augustín Pass Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,558 times since then and 320 times this year. Last updated on November 29, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 29, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 18, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
