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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Near Acoma Village in Cibola County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
 

Old Acoma "Sky City"

 
 
Old Acoma "Sky City" Marker image. Click for full size.
April 30, 2010
1. Old Acoma "Sky City" Marker
Inscription. Legend describes Acoma as a "place that always was". Archaeological evidence shows it has been occupied since at least the 13th century. Established on this mesa for defensive purposes, Acoma was settled by inhabitants of nearby pueblos which had been abandoned. Nearly destroyed by the Spanish in 1599, Acoma was quickly reestablished by ancestors of its present occupants.
 
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & ArchaeologyColonial EraIndigenous Peoples and CommunitiesSettlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1599.
 
Location. 34° 56.432′ N, 107° 36.541′ W. Marker is near Acoma Village, New Mexico, in Cibola County. It is on BIA Route 38 (Road 38 at milepost 2), 10.2 miles south of I-40 (Road 28). The marker is on the south vista pullout where BIA Route 21 tops the hill, providing a view across the valley to Sky City. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pueblo of Acoma NM 87034, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New
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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 5 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Battle of Khe Sanh Vietnam, 1968 (approx. 9.4 miles away); Pueblo of Laguna (approx. 9.6 miles away); Pueblo of Αcoma (approx. 9.6 miles away); a different marker also named Old Acoma "Sky City" (approx. 9.9 miles away); Where's the Volcano? (approx. 12.3 miles away).
 
Another marker is no longer nearby. El Malpais (was approx. 11.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
 
More about this marker. For the visitor interested in visiting Sky City, the gateway is the Sky City Cultural Center with its museum, restaurant, gift shop and washrooms. This beautiful modern architectural interpretation of traditional pueblo architecture is a place worth visiting. A tour to Sky City and a photography permit costs $20.00.
 
Additional keywords. Pueblo, Acoma, Juan de Onate, Albuquerque, Acomita
 
Old Acoma "Sky City" Marker image. Click for full size.
April 30, 2010
2. Old Acoma "Sky City" Marker
At the Kuumi Scenic View
Old Acoma "Sky City" image. Click for full size.
April 30, 2010
3. Old Acoma "Sky City"
The mesa in the immediate foreground of the southern horizon. Church is visible in the line of dwellings on the mesa top.
Acoma Pueblo Image Capture Guidelines image. Click for full size.
April 30, 2010
4. Acoma Pueblo Image Capture Guidelines
Every southwest pueblo, every American Indian Reservation has rules about photgraphy and various imagery capture. This sign spells out the rules for Acoma, clearly spelled out. Find out what the local rules are when visiting. Ignorance, disrespect, and greed have led to pueblo doors of welcome being shut tighter to the public as time has passed. Do not attend ceremonies unless invited, go without the influence of drugs and alcohol. Be a quiet, respectful, observant, representative of your culture and people.
Old Acoma "Sky City" image. Click for full size.
May 30, 2010
5. Old Acoma "Sky City"
Old Acoma "Sky City" is listed as a "Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation"
Sky City Cultural Center Entrance image. Click for full size.
May 30, 2010
6. Sky City Cultural Center Entrance
National Trust for Historic Preservation marker is on the wall left of the door. The Sky City Cultural Center is the gateway to Acoma Pueblo's Sky City. Located here are: the Pueblo Museum, guided tours, photography permits, a restaurant (where you can purchase pueblo food), a gift shop, and public restrooms. As of May, 2010, a tour, with photography permit included is $20.00. A photography permit alone is $10.00.
Sky City Cultural Center iconic sculpture by Doug Hyde image. Click for full size.
May 30, 2010
7. Sky City Cultural Center iconic sculpture by Doug Hyde
Sky City Cultural Center Vestibule image. Click for full size.
May 30, 2010
8. Sky City Cultural Center Vestibule
The Sky City Cultural Center is a beautiful, modern architectural interpretation of traditional pueblo architecture.
Interior, Sky City Cultural Center image. Click for full size.
May 30, 2010
9. Interior, Sky City Cultural Center
Your Sky City tour will be leaving down this hallway in approximately five minutes....
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2010. This page has been viewed 2,484 times since then and 74 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on May 1, 2010. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
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