Near Ramah in Cibola County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
El Morro National Monument Inscription Rock
By Mike Stroud, June 6, 2003
1. El Morro National Monument Marker
Until it was by-passed by the railroad in the
1880’s, its waterhole made El Morro an
important stop for travelers in the Acoma-
Zuni region. Numerous inscriptions carved
in the sandstone date from the prehistoric,
Spanish, Mexican, and Territorial periods
in New Mexico’s history. An important
example is Oñate’s inscription, carved
in 1605.Erected by State of New Mexico.
Location. 35° 2.595′ N, 108° 20.284′ W. Marker is near Ramah, New Mexico, in Cibola County. Marker is on State Road 53, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ramah NM 87321, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. The El Morro National Monument is inside the Ramah Navajo Indian Reservation (between towns of Pinehill & El Moro), in Cibola County just to the east of the town of Ramah.
Regarding El Morro National Monument Inscription Rock. El Morro National Monument is located on an ancient east-west trail in western New Mexico.
The main feature of this National Monument is a great sandstone promontory with a pool of water at its base. As a shaded oasis in the western U.S. desert, this site has seen many centuries of travelers. The Spaniard explorers called it "El Morro" (The Headland). The Zuni Indians call it "A'ts'ina" (Place
By Mike Stroud, 2003
2. The Bluff at El Morro
Hundreds of years before Spanish conquistadores passed by here, a pool’s dependable water supply encouraged the settlement of Puebloan people on top of the bluff.
Also see . . . National Park Service. El Morro (Submitted on December 5, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Categories. • Exploration • Landmarks • Native Americans • Natural Features • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers •
By Mike Stroud, 2003
3. Some petroglyphs and carvings were made by the Anasazi
The inscriptions date back to the 1600s when the Spanish traveled through the area.
By Mike Stroud
4. Inscription from Don Juan de Oñate, as mentioned on marker
Translation: “Passed by here the Governor Don Juan de Oñate, from the discovery of the Sea of the South on the 16th of April, 1605.”
By Mike Stroud, 2003
5. El Morro waterhole
A reliable waterhole hidden at the base of a sandstone bluff made El Morro (the headland) a popular campsite. Ancestral Puebloans and Spanish and American travelers carved over 2,000 signatures, dates, messages, and petroglyphs for hundreds of years.
After centuries of continuous human use, the pool today is used only by local wildlife taking advantage of its refreshing waters.
After centuries of continuous human use, the pool today is used only by local wildlife taking advantage of its refreshing waters.
By Mike Stroud, June 6, 2003
6. El Morro National Monument Marker
(L) "On the 25th of the month of June, of this year of 1709, passed by here on the way to Zuni, Ramon Garcia Jurado."
(R) "By here passed Pedro Romero on the 22nd of August, year of 1751."
(R) "By here passed Pedro Romero on the 22nd of August, year of 1751."
By Mike Stroud, 2003
7. In 1857, Breckinridge
was in charge of the 25 camels used by Lt. Edward Beale in his expedition.
By Mike Stroud, June 6, 2003
8. Inscriptions at the point of El Morro
include old Spanish carvings as well as English carved
by members of the 1868 Union Pacific Railroad survey.
By Mike Stroud, 2003
9. Inscription Rock
E. Pen Long, Baltimore, Md
By Mike Stroud, 2003
10. Inscription Rock
By Richard Denney, March 16, 2009
11. El Morro's Waterhole
El Morro's waterhole is located at the base of the sandstone bluff shown in this photo.
By Richard Denney, March 16, 2009
12. More signatures, Petroglyphs
One inscription reads "R.H. Orton, Capt. 1st Cal.. 1866". Also visible a petroglyph, perhaps a "cloud terrace" inspired church with cross.
More. Search the internet for El Morro National Monument Inscription Rock.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on December 5, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,236 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on December 5, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 11, 12. submitted on May 12, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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