Near Watrous in Mora County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Transportation Corral

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2015

1. Transportation Corral Marker

Inscription. Although taken at different times, these two photos show the Transportation Corral (1) and Herders Corral (2). Dozens of wagons and scores of mules were kept here in readiness to transport supplies and troops. Towering haystacks can be seen in the distance.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 35° 54.517′ N, 105° 0.826′ W. Marker is near Watrous, New Mexico, in Mora County. It can be reached from New Mexico Route 161 7½ miles north of CanAm Highway (Interstate 25). Marker is located along the park trail at Fort Union National Monument. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3115 New Mexico Route 161, Watrous NM 87753, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern New Mexico.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Dust Bowl,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Keep the Wagons Rolling (within shouting distance of this marker); Privy (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hard Work, Strict Discipline, and $13 a Month (about 400 feet away); The End of the Road (about 400 feet away); Buttons, Bowling, Billiards and Beer (about 500 feet away); Commissary Storehouse (about 500 feet away); Enough to Feed an Army (about 500 feet away); Distant For Good Reasons (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watrous.

Related markers.

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Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Fort Union National Monument

Also see . . . A History of Fort Union. The depot and the army logistic system in the Southwest, in fact, had a dramatic impact on the New Mexico economy in both direct and indirect ways. Where possible, quartermaster and subsistence needs were procured by local contract. Forage for animals, beef cattle, heating fuel, flour, lumber, and vegetables were all procured locally, providing federal dollars for everyone from the small grower to the large contractor. Government trains and troops stopped at dozens of contractor-run forage agencies along main travel routes for meals and rest. Though not the stuff of Hollywood westerns, the day-in-day-out operation of supplying the military had a far greater impact on the territory than any Indian battle (Submitted on May 2, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Transportation Corral image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Transportation Corral

Marker detail: Herders Corral image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner

3. Marker detail: Herders Corral

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2015

4. Transportation Corral Marker

(looking east across former corral site)

Mechanics' Corral Ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2015

5. Mechanics' Corral Ruins

(looking west from marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 2, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.