Tierra Amarilla in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Tierra Amarilla
Elevation 7,860 ft.
Photographed by Maribeth Robison, June 8, 2014
1. Tierra Amarilla Marker
In 1832 the Mexican government made a large community land grant to Manuel Martinez and other settlers but settlement was delayed by raids by Utes, Jicarilla Apaches and Navajos. Tierra Amarilla, first called Nutritas, became the Rio Arriba County Seat in 1880. In 1967 in was the focus of conflicts between National Guardsmen and land rights activist Reies Lopez Tijerina.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.
Location. 36° 42.676′ N, 106° 33.555′ W. Marker is in Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico, in Rio Arriba County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 84 and State Highway 162 on State Highway 84. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tierra Amarilla NM 87575, 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 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fort Lowell (approx. 0.7 miles away); Chama (approx. 10.2 miles away); Old Spanish Trail (approx. 12 miles away); Denver & Rio Grande Railroad San Juan Extension (approx. 13.3 miles away); a different marker also named Chama
this page online
Photographed by Maribeth Robison, June 8, 2014
2. Tierra Amarilla Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2014, by Maribeth Robison of Moriarty, New Mexico. This page has been viewed 1,719 times since then and 75 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 9, 2014, by Maribeth Robison of Moriarty, New Mexico. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
