Near El Rito in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

El Rito

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 28, 2013

1. El Rito Marker

Inscription. Tewa people lived in this area before the village of El Rito Colorado was settled in the 1830s by residents from the Abiquiú area. The Territorial Legislature of 1909 established the Spanish-American Normal School here to train teachers for northern New Mexico schools. El Rito has evolved into a vibrant art community while retaining its traditional agricultural roots.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Hispanic Americans • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 36° 19.929′ N, 106° 11.334′ W. Marker is near El Rito, New Mexico, in Rio Arriba County. It is on State Road 554 at milepost 11, on the right when traveling north. When approaching El Rito on Route 554 from U.S. 84, marker is on a pull out on the right before arriving at El Rito. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: El Rito NM 87530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern New Mexico.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named El Rito (approx. 0.3 miles away); Welcome to the Church of San Juan Nepomuceno (approx. 0.8 miles away); Santa Cruz

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 8.1 miles away); Abiquiú (approx. 11.2 miles away); Agueda S. Martinez (1898–2000) (approx. 11.7 miles away); Georgia O’Keeffe (approx. 12.8 miles away); Red Rocks (approx. 12.8 miles away).

More about this marker. This particular El Rito official scenic historic marker is not listed in either David Pike’s 2004 Roadside New Mexico or the Archuleta and Holden’s 2004 Traveling New Mexico guides to New Mexico historical markers.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 28, 2013

2. El Rito Marker

This view is south. The main marker face faces north, towards town.

Reverse of El Rito Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 28, 2013

3. Reverse of El Rito Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,212 times since then and 68 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 3, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Replacement photos and corrected text transcription when graffiti has been removed • Can you help?