Near Las Vegas in San Miguel County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Kearny Gap

— Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway —

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 14, 2023

1. Kearny Gap Marker

Inscription.

Kearny Gap. . The Mexican-American War had just begun in 1846, when Brigadier General Stephen Watts Kearny brought a regiment of U.S. soldiers and volunteers from the Missouri River into Las Vegas. From a rooftop overlooking the Las Vegas plaza he proclaimed New Mexico as part of the United States. His army then headed over Kearny Gap (the pass directly west of here) and then proceeded toward Santa Fe. , Kearny's troops expected strong opposition from the Mexican army, but when they neared the city, the Mexican forces evaporated and the U.S. troops marched into town without a fight. ,

“Henceforth I absolve you from all allegiance to the Mexican government.…I am your governor.…and [he who] is found in arms against me I will hang.” – General Stephen Watts Kearny, 1846

The Start of the Santa Fe Trail , In 1821, Missouri merchant William Becknell made the first trip west to Santa Fe, on what was to become the Santa Fe Trail. Near here he encountered Mexican Captain Pedro Ignacio Gallego who informed him that Mexico had won its independence from Spain. The political climate was now welcoming for trade with the United States. Becknell arrived to sell his goods at a profit and return to Missouri, thereby inaugurating one of the great overland trails of the 19th century. , Trail sites nearby , . San Miguel del Vado Church This church, founded in 1806, was part of the first settlement encountered by early travelers on the Santa Fe Trail. A customs station here exacted tariffs from wagon trains headed to Santa Fe. , . Las Vegas, New Mexico The well-preserved trail-era town of Las Vegas is home to the Las Vegas Citizens' Committee for Historic Preservation, which has interesting exhibits on the Santa Fe Trail. , . Watrous The Samuel Watrous store today is a private ranch house. It was an important rest stop and source of supplies for travelers on the Santa Fe Trail. , [Captions] , . (Left) General Stephen Watts Kearny , . (Center) This drawing depicts General Kearny, on August 15, 1846, proclaiming from a rooftop in Las Vegas, that New Mexico was a new territory of the United States.

The Mexican-American War had just begun in 1846, when Brigadier General Stephen Watts Kearny brought a regiment of U.S. soldiers and volunteers from the Missouri River into Las Vegas. From a rooftop overlooking the Las Vegas plaza he proclaimed New Mexico as part of the United States. His army then headed over Kearny Gap (the pass directly west of here) and then proceeded toward Santa Fe.

Kearny's troops expected strong opposition from the Mexican army, but when they neared the city, the Mexican forces evaporated and the U.S. troops marched into town without a fight.

“Henceforth I absolve you from all allegiance to the Mexican government.…I am your governor.…and [he who] is found in arms against me I will hang.” – General Stephen Watts Kearny, 1846

The Start of the Santa Fe Trail
In 1821, Missouri merchant William Becknell made the first trip west to Santa Fe, on what was to become the Santa Fe Trail. Near here he encountered Mexican Captain Pedro Ignacio Gallego who informed him that Mexico had won its independence from Spain. The political climate was now welcoming for trade with the United States. Becknell arrived to sell his goods at a profit and return to Missouri, thereby inaugurating one of the great overland trails of the 19th century.

Trail sites nearby
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San Miguel del Vado Church This church, founded in 1806, was part of the first settlement encountered by early travelers on the Santa Fe Trail. A customs station here exacted tariffs from wagon trains headed to Santa Fe.
• Las Vegas, New Mexico The well-preserved trail-era town of Las Vegas is home to the Las Vegas Citizens' Committee for Historic Preservation, which has interesting exhibits on the Santa Fe Trail.
• Watrous The Samuel Watrous store today is a private ranch house. It was an important rest stop and source of supplies for travelers on the Santa Fe Trail.

[Captions]
• (Left) General Stephen Watts Kearny
• (Center) This drawing depicts General Kearny, on August 15, 1846, proclaiming from a rooftop in Las Vegas, that New Mexico was a new territory of the United States.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, Mexican-American. A significant historical date for this entry is August 15, 1846.

Location. 35° 33.476′ N, 105° 14.224′ W. Marker is near Las Vegas, New Mexico, in San Miguel County. Marker is on New Mexico 283, ¾ mile west of Romeoville Frontage Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 73 NM-283, Las Vegas NM 87701, 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. A Landmark Meeting (here, next to this marker); Puertocito de la Piedra Lumbre

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 14, 2023

2. Kearny Gap Marker

(a few steps from this marker); A. Dold & Company / Charles Emil Wesche General Merchandise Store (approx. 2.4 miles away); Veeder Block (approx. 2½ miles away); Dold Block (approx. 2½ miles away); Santa Fe Trail (approx. 2½ miles away); Plaza Hotel (approx. 2½ miles away); First National Bank of Las Vegas (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Las Vegas.

Also see . . .
1. Stephen Kearny – Father of the U.S. Cavalry. General Stephen Kearny, one of the foremost frontier officers of the U.S. Army, is remembered for his significant contributions to the Mexican-American War, especially California’s conquest. (Kathy Alexander, Legends of America) (Submitted on November 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. William Becknell. Wikipedia entry on the soldier, politician, and freight operator who is credited with opening the Santa Fe Trail in 1821. (Submitted on November 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.