Near San Acacia in Socorro County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Doña Eufemia

"La Valerosa"

— The Spanish Entrada of 1598 —

Doña Eufemia Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wynfire, November 26, 2016

1. Doña Eufemia Marker

Inscription. Traveling with the colonizing expedition of Juan de Oñate, Doña Eufemia rallied Spanish soldiers to persevere when morale broke down during their long journey on the Camino Real. Settling in present-day New Mexico, she rallied 22 women to defend the northern territory's capital of San Juan when soldiers were away. A woman of extreme bravery and beauty, she received the sobriquet "La Valerosa", the valiant one, for her courage and fortitude exhibited under difficult circumstances.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Hispanic Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the New Mexico Women’s Historic Marker Initiative series list.

Location. 34° 18.342′ N, 106° 53.424′ W. Marker is near San Acacia, New Mexico, in Socorro County. It is on Interstate 25, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at the Walking Sands Rest Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Acacia NM 87831, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest New Mexico and 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

and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rio Salado Sand Dunes (within shouting

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

distance of this marker); a different marker also named Rio Salado Sand Dunes (approx. 0.2 miles away); Acomilla (approx. 0.2 miles away); La Joya de Sevilleta (approx. 3.8 miles away); Sabino y Lemitar (approx. 10.3 miles away); Las Nutrias (approx. 13 miles away).

More about this marker. On the west side of the highway (for southbound traffic), this marker is accompanied by a marker for Acomilla. On the east side of the highway (for northbound traffic), the rest area has a marker for Acomilla and a marker for the Rio Salado Sand Dunes.

Regarding Doña Eufemia. The back side of the marker reads:
The New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative was founded in 2005 by members of the New Mexico Women's Forum in a statewide effort to recognize women's contributions to New Mexico history on the state's Official Scenic Historic Markers. The Initiative ensures that women's diverse histories will be remembered and told, and will inspire and provide a guide for future generations. The 2006 Legislature funded the project.

Photographed by Wyndfire, November 26, 2016

2. Doña Eufemia Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2016, by Jennifer W. of Las Cruces, New Mexico. This page has been viewed 1,629 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1. submitted on December 4, 2016, by Jennifer W. of Las Cruces, New Mexico. 2. submitted on November 28, 2016, by Jennifer W. of Las Cruces, New Mexico. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.