Los Cerrillos in Santa Fe County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Cerrillos
Elevation 5,688 ft.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 15, 2012
1. Cerrillos Marker
Before the arrival of the Spanish, the mineral rich area around Cerrillos produced turquoise, which was broadly traded across the American Southwest and into Mιxico. An early settlement of Los Cerrillos harbored Spanish refugees from the 1680 Revolt, but the present community was not founded until the lead strike of 1879.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1680.
Location. 35° 26.088′ N, 106° 7.229′ W. Marker is in Los Cerrillos, New Mexico, in Santa Fe County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and The Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway (State Road 14), on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6b Main St, Cerrillos NM 87010, 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 on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. 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 walking distance of this marker: St. Joseph's Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); R. Granito's General Store (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Simoni Store (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Joe M. Granito Block (approx. 0.3 miles away); DeLallo-Simoni-Torres Building (approx.
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Cerrillos Historical Society. “Spring 1880 – Cerrillos boasts 26 saloons, an unverifiable factoid, but entirely possible. All you need for a saloon is a tent, a few bottles and a card table. If you aspire to be a First Class Saloon however, then you also need some upstairs entertainment. . . . 1958 – Walt Disney shoots portions of The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca in Cerrillos. 1962 – The Cerrillos primary school is closed because of diminished enrollment and economic problems.” (Submitted on April 21, 2012.)
2. Mount Chalchihuitl. Short video on Cerrillos Hills Historic Park on the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway. Includes a discussion of Mount Chalchihuitl, just north of Cerrillos, thought to be one of the oldest prehistoric mines in North America. (Submitted on October 29, 2013, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
3. Cerrillos Mining District. Article about mining in the Cerrillos Hills covering prehistoric,
Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 15, 2012
2. Cerillos Marker
Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 15, 2012
3. Cerrillos Marker Reverse
Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 15, 2012
4. Cerrillos Hills
The town of Cerrillos is dead center in this photograph, where the bell tower of St. Josephs Church can be seen above the tree line.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 15, 2012
5. First Street, Cerrillos, New Mexico
Marys Bar is still open. The railroad crossing is over the former AT&SF main line between Kansas City, Albuquerque, and points west.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 15, 2012
6. First Street, Cerrillos, New Mexico
The Antonio Simioni Building, closed. St. Josephs Church is out of frame to the right.
Photographed by Richard Denney, October 16, 2013
7. Mount Chalchihuitl
Mount Chalchihuitl, just north of Cerrillos, thought to be one of the oldest prehistoric mines (turquoise) in North America. Chalchihuitl is the lower hill in the foreground.
Photographed by Richard Denney, October 16, 2013
8. Mount Chalchihuitl
One of the many prehistoric turquoise mines on Mount Chalchihuitl.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2012, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,063 times since then and 60 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 21, 2012, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 7, 8. submitted on October 29, 2013, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
