Anthony in Doña Ana County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Oñate’s Route
On the Camino Real
⎯⎯⎯
El Camino Real
The King's Highway
Photographed by Julie Szabo, February 12, 2008
1. Onate's Route On the Camino Real Marker
Oñate’s Route
Juan de Oñate, first governor of New Mexico, passed near here with his colonizing expedition in May, 1598. Traveling north, he designated official campsites (called parajes) on the Camino Real, used by expeditions that followed. In Oñate's caravan were 129 men, many with their families and servants.
El Camino Real
The oldest historical road in the United States, running over 2000 miles from Mexico City to Taos. Parts of the Camino Real were used by Spanish explorers in the 1580s, but it was formally established in 1598 by Juan de Oñate, New Mexico's first colonizer and governor. It was later referred to as the Chihuahua Trail.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1598.
Location. 32° 0.385′ N, 106° 34.907′ W. Marker is in Anthony, New Mexico, in Doña Ana County. It can be reached from northbound I-10 (Interstate 10) when traveling north. Rest area/Visitor
this page online
Regionally, this marker is 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, the Gadsden Purchase, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Brazito Battlefield (here, next to this marker); Butterfield Trail/Espejo's Expedition (a few steps from this marker); El Paso (approx. 1.7 miles away in Texas); Texas (approx. 1.7 miles away in Texas); La Salineta (approx. 4.2 miles away in Texas); Paraje de los Brazitos (approx. 9.2 miles away); Fusselman Canyon (approx. 10.1 miles away in Texas); MIM-23 Surface-to-Air Missile System (approx. 11.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anthony.
More about this marker. One of three "Official Scenic Historic" markers outside the Visitor Center.
Photographed by Julie Szabo, February 12, 2008
2. Side 2 Of Marker
Photographed by Julie Szabo, February 12, 2008
3. Three markers in front of Visitor Center
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010
4. Three markers as viewed from the other side.
Left to right they are: Espejo's Expedition, El Camino Real and Brazito Battlefield.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2008, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. This page has been viewed 4,933 times since then and 83 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2008, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. 4. submitted on November 18, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
