Near San Antonio in Socorro County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Guarding the Trail

Photographed by James Hulse, June 24, 2024

1. Guarding the Trail Marker

Inscription. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war between the United States and Mexico in 1848. Mexico surrendered more than half of its land to the US. Trade along El Camino Real, then known as the Chihuahua Trail, continued, but now linked the two nations. The US military quickly built forts and stationed soldiers along the trail to protect caravans and secure the lands.

In 1854, the US built Fort Craig to protect this area. It became known as the starting point for campaigns against the Apaches, Navajos, and Comanches. The garrison battled raiding parties in the Jornada del Muerto, and rescued stolen livestock. The settlements of San Marcial to the north and Paraje to the south flourished as trade centers under the fort's protection.

Captions
Officers, 50th Pennsylvania Infantry, Fort Craig, July 1865. Col. William H. Telford Civil War photographs, 1861-1865, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division

United States Military Installations - 1855

Erected by National Conservation Lands, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail and Fort Craig Historic Site.

Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • War, Mexican-American. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1865.

Location. 33° 39.848′ N, 107° 4.772′ W. Marker is near San Antonio, New Mexico, in Socorro County. It is on Fort Craig Road 0.3 miles east of Old US Hwy 25, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located along the road on the way to Fort Craig. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 Fort Craig Road, San Antonio NM 87832, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest New Mexico and in the Rio Grande Valley.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Journey of the Dead Man (here, next to this marker); Time & Perspective (here, next to this marker); The Royal Road (a few steps from this

The Guarding the Trail Marker is the left marker of the two markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, June 24, 2024

2. The Guarding the Trail Marker is the left marker of the two markers

marker); Fort Craig (approx. 4.2 miles away); El Camino Real (approx. 4.2 miles away); Battle of Valverde (approx. 4.2 miles away); Prehistoric Peoples (approx. 4.2 miles away); The Establishment of Fort Craig (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.

The Guarding the Trail Marker is the second marker from the right side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, June 24, 2024

3. The Guarding the Trail Marker is the second marker from the right side

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 12, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.