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

Grants

Population 11,451 Elevation 6500 ft

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010

1. Grants Marker

Inscription. Located just north of the great lava bed known as the malpais, Grants began as a coaling station for the Santa Fe Railroad. Around 1880 it was known as Grant's Camp, after the Canadian bridge contractor Angus A. Grant. In 1950, the area's vast uranium deposits were discovered.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 35° 7.874′ N, 107° 49.624′ W. Marker is in Grants, New Mexico, in Cibola County. It is on State Road 117 0.3 miles north 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: The Fannie Mine Hoisting Bucket (approx. 2.2 miles away); Mine Head Frame (approx. 2.2 miles away); One Ton Mine Car (approx. 2.2 miles away); Large Diameter Drill Bit (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Caboose (approx. 2.2 miles away); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.9 miles away); San Rafael (approx. 2.9 miles away); a different marker also named Grants (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grants.

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Rear of Grants Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010

2. Rear of Grants Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010

3. Grants Marker

El Malpais lava bed south of Grants image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, March 16, 2009

4. El Malpais lava bed south of Grants

View from cliff above the lava fields of El Malpais National Monument (referenced on marker). Looking north in general direction of Grants, with Mount Taylor rising in background.

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 1,039 times since then and 29 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. 4. submitted on May 12, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.