Trinidad in Las Animas County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Invasion by the United States Army
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 10, 2025
1. Invasion by the United States Army Marker
From this spot in August 1846, you could have watched a U. S. Military Force invading the Republic of Mexico. The U.S. Army of the West was already well into Mexican territory, for the International Boundary was then the Arkansas River, about 80 miles north of here.
Through a choking cloud of dust, you would have seen 1,600 troops, 1,500 supply wagons and field pieces, 15,000 oxen, 4,000 mules, and uncounted teamsters, muleteers, and drovers begin the struggle up and over Raton Pass. Colonel Stephen W. Kearny made a daring gamble, for until then, only a few freight wagons had been hauled laboriously over the Pass.
Without firing a shot, Kearny went on to occupy Mexico's territorial capitol of Santa Fe. Later, Kearny, now promoted to General, marched his army to California, helping subdue that Mexican territory while other U.S. armies invaded farther south and occupied Mexico City, where the U. S. Marines stormed the Halls of Montezuma.
When the war ended in 1848, Mexico ceded about half of Colorado, including this spot, most of New Mexico and Arizona, and all of California, Nevada, and Utah to the United States. At the time of the war, the famous Santa Fe Trail passed through this point, but the town of Trinidad did not develop until the 1860s.
Erected by Trinidad
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, Mexican-American. In addition, it is included in the Santa Fe Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1846.
Location. 37° 10.144′ N, 104° 30.358′ W. Marker is in Trinidad, Colorado, in Las Animas County. It is on North Commercial Street just south of Church Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 132 North Commercial Street, Trinidad CO 81082, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Mountain West, on the Great Plains, on the Southern Plains, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. 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 Comancherνa, the Dust Bowl, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Mountain Called Fisher's Peak (within shouting distance of this marker); A Capital of Open Range Ranching (within shouting distance of this marker); The Aultman Studio (within shouting distance of this marker); The Santa Fe Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Corazσn de Trinidad National Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Dedicated to Catholic World War II Veterans of Las Animas County (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trinidad Schools and the Sisters of Charity (about 300 feet away); Coal Miners' Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Trinidad.
Also see . . . Trinidad, Colorado (Legends of America)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 10, 2025
2. Invasion by the United States Army Marker
Looking west across North Commercial Street.
Excerpt: After passing Bents Fort, the Santa Fe Trails Mountain Branch paralleled the Purgatoire River and forded it in this area before making its difficult route over Raton Pass. This area soon became a favored campground for travelers along the trail as thousands of lumbering freight wagons pulled by six or eight-span of oxen made their way to and from Santa Fe.(Submitted on August 18, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)In August 1846, during the Mexican-American War, the U.S. Army of the West, commanded by Colonel Stephen W. Kearny, marched through here to conquer the Mexican territorial capital of Santa Fe. His army of 1,600 soldiers, accompanied by numerous teamsters, drovers, and a few women, camped along the Purgatoire River. After resting briefly, the large caravan crossed the crude trail across Raton Pass. Though the army made it over the pass, their journey was difficult. It was sometimes necessary to draw the wagons up and let them down by ropes. Many wagons were destroyed, and supplies had to be left behind. Making matters worse was the fact that the soldiers were on half and third rations.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 117 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 18, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
