Near Laguna in Cibola County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
San Josι De La Laguna Mission
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010
1. San Jose De La Laguna Mission Marker
The picturesque mission church of San Josι de la Laguna was built around 1706 by Fray Antonio Miranda and shows the single aisle floor plan commonly used in pueblo churches. It has been repaired many times, and acquired its distinctive white stucco exterior in 1977.
The church contains a beautiful and well-preserved altar screen made between 1800 and 1808 by a folk artist known only as the "Laguna santero." The interior walls are mud-plastered and white-washed, and the floor is made of packed earth. The handsome wooden ceiling is laid in a herringbone pattern.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1706.
Location. 35° 1.893′ N, 107° 22.911′ W. Marker is near Laguna, New Mexico, in Cibola County. It is on Interstate 40 at milepost 113.5, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located at the westbound rest area on I-40. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Laguna NM 87026, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s San Juan Basin. It is also in the American Southwest and in Colorado Plateau. 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named San Josι De La Laguna Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); Susie Rayos Marmon - Ga-wa goo maa (Early Riser)
this page online
More about this marker. See the Nearby twin marker for additional photos and information.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010
2. Rear of San Jose De La Laguna Mission Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010
3. San Jose De La Laguna Mission Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010
4. San Jose De La Laguna Mission
Photographed by Richard Denney, March 17, 2009
5. San Josι De La Laguna Mission
Closeup of San Josι De La Laguna Mission
Photographed by Richard Denney, March 17, 2009
6. San Josι De La Laguna Mission
Closeup of entrance
Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,618 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 4, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 5, 6. submitted on May 12, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
