Clayton in Union County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Herzstein's Store
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2025
1. Herzstein's Store Marker
“The stone markers in the adjoining panels were part of the Herzstein’s Store, a building of Pueblo Indian architecture which was on this site from 1931 to 1971. Herzstein’s opened in 1895 in Clayton and was a significant factor in the growth of this community. The first store was in Mora County, New Mexico in 1889.”
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 36° 27.119′ N, 103° 11.037′ W. Marker is in Clayton, New Mexico, in Union County. It is on Main Street (U.S. 56/412) just east of North 1st Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is mounted on the office building at this location today. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Clayton NM 88415, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern New Mexico. It is also in the American Southwest, in the Mountain West, on the Great Plains, on the Southern Plains, on the High Plains, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Eklund Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Methodist Episcopal Church North (about 400 feet away); The Luna Theatre Complex (about 400 feet away); Thomas Edward "Black Jack" Ketchum (approx. 0.3 miles away); Santa Fe Trail (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Santa Fe Trail / Who Traveled The Trail? (approx. 0.8 miles away); Black Jack Ketchum (approx. 0.8 miles away); Santa Fe Trail - Cimarron Cutoff / Clayton (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clayton.
Also see . . . Morris Herzstein (1869-1928) (Find A Grave).
(Montefiore Cemetery, Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico, USA) Excerpt: After immigrating from Germany, he came to Mora County, New Mexico and established a store at Liberty. His brother Levi assisted him. The store was robbed and Levi was killed trying to arrest the robbers. Morris(Submitted on February 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)closed that store and opened another at Chaparito, NM. Morris married Lena in 1893 and they moved to Clayton, New Mexico where he had the M. Herzstein Mercantile Store and other interests. Morris' store burnt in 1916 and he built the Mission Theater on that spot. The theater is still open under the name “Luna.”Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 20252. Herzstein's Store Marker, 1889
Covered WagonIt is embedded in the brick wall panel on the left side of the historical marker.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2025
3. Herzstein's Store Marker, 1889
Steer Face
Steer Face
It is embedded in the brick wall panel on the right side of the historical marker.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2025
4. Herzstein's Store Marker
The marker is mounted at eye level on the center of three brick wall panels to the left of the flagpole. The two 1889 stone markers are embedded in the brick wall panels on either side of the historical marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 62 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
