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.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Hispanic Americans • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1605.
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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Welcome to El Morro (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Visitors Through the Ages (approx. half a mile away); Preserving Our Heritage (approx. 0.7 miles away); Monumental Changes
By Cosmos Mariner, May 20, 2016
2. El Morro National Monument Inscription Rock Marker
this page online
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 of writings on the rock). Anglo-Americans called it "Inscription Rock". Travelers left signatures, names, dates, and stories of their treks. While some of the inscriptions are fading, there are still many that can be seen today, some dating to the 17th century. Some petroglyphs and carvings were made by the Anasazi centuries before Europeans started making their mark. In 1906, U.S. federal law prohibited further carving.
Also see . . .
By Mike Stroud, 2003
3. 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.
By Mike Stroud, 2003
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. In 1857, Breckinridge
was in charge of the 25 camels used by Lt. Edward Beale in his expedition.
By Mike Stroud, June 6, 2003
9. 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
10. Inscription Rock
E. Pen Long, Baltimore, Md
By Mike Stroud, 2003
11. Inscription Rock
By Richard Denney, March 16, 2009
12. 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
13. 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,343 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 5, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on December 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on December 5, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 12, 13. submitted on May 12, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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