Espejo's Trail

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 26, 2012

1. Espejo's Trail Marker

Inscription. Don Antonio de Espejo, leader of the third expedition to explore New Mexico, passed near here on his return to Mexico City in 1583. After learning of the martyrdom of two Franciscan friars from an earlier expedition, he explored the Pueblo country and then followed the Pecos River Valley south.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Antonio de Espejo Entrada of 1582-1583 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1583.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 32° 13.831′ N, 104° 4.546′ W. Marker was near Loving, New Mexico, in Eddy County. It was on U.S. 285 north of Horizon Road (County Road 719), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1700 Pecos Hwy, Loving NM 88256, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in New Mexico’s Pecos Valley. It was also in the American Southwest,

on the Great Plains,

on the Southern Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

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Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 16 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Goodnight-Loving Trail (approx. 6.2 miles away); Mother Magdalen and the Sisters of Loretto (1852 - 1968) / Carlsbad (approx. 15½ miles away); Josephine Cox "Grandma" Anderson (approx. 15½ miles away).

Other markers no longer nearby. Loving's Bend (was approx. 4.7 miles away but has been permanently removed); Eddy County Courthouse (was approx. 15.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Marker was located north of CR 719 on the east side but is not standing as of today. The brown "historical marker ahead" still stands on the north and south side of where the marker would have been.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Espejo's Trail Marker Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 26, 2012

2. Espejo's Trail Marker Reverse

Points of Interest
New Mexico's Historic Markers typically have a map on the back side showing the location of other OSHM's. This is an excellent source of information when exploring for other Historical Markers and locations.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 26, 2012

3. Espejo's Trail Marker

Historical Marker Ahead Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 24, 2026

4. Historical Marker Ahead Sign

The Espejo's Trail historic marker is missing.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,327 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on May 24, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 28, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on May 24, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.