Near Grants in Cibola County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

San Rafael

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010

1. San Rafael Marker

Inscription. San Rafael, formerly know as El Gallo, is located at a spring near the Malpais, the great lave flow to the east. The area was visited by members of Vásquez de Coronado's expedition in 1540. In 1862, it was selected as the original site of Fort Wingate, focus of the campaign against the Navajos.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1540.

Location. 35° 7.133′ N, 107° 52.536′ W. Marker is near Grants, New Mexico, in Cibola County. It is on State Road 53 at milepost 83.1, 2½ miles south of Interstate 40, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grants NM 87020, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.6 miles away); Grants (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Caboose (approx. 2.6 miles away); One Ton Mine Car (approx. 2.7 miles away); The Fannie Mine Hoisting Bucket (approx. 2.7 miles away); Mine Head Frame (approx. 2.7

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miles away); Large Diameter Drill Bit (approx. 2.7 miles away); a different marker also named Grants (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grants.

Rear of San Rafael Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010

2. Rear of San Rafael Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010

3. San Rafael Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,840 times since then and 98 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 3, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.