Tesuque Pueblo near Santa Fe in Santa Fe County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Tesuque Rain Gods
Tesuque Pueblo
via McPherson Museum
1. Tesuque Rain God
Seated clay figurines known as rain gods or "rain catchers" spring from Tesuque Pueblos's deep-rooted figurative pottery tradition. Popularized in the 1880's, Tesuque women made and sold the figurines in a variety of colors and designs, and earned income by selling them to curio dealers and tourists. Rain gods typically hold pots while other gods hold children, animals and other objects. The tradition is practiced to this day.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division and Department of Highways.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce.
Location. 35° 49.509′ N, 105° 58.706′ W. Marker is near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in Santa Fe County. It is in Tesuque Pueblo. It can be reached from West Frontage Road (U.S. 285 Frontage Road at milepost 175), 0.2 miles north of Camel Rock Road (Business U.S. 285). Exit 175 U.S. 84/285 West on Camel Rock Road West Frontage Road North .2 mi North end of Camel Rock Rest Area near old picnic ramada. Touch for map.
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Regionally, this marker is in one of the Northern Pueblos and 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, the territory of the Ancestral Puebloans, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pueblo of Tesuque (a few steps from this marker); Feliciana Tapia Viarrial (1904-1988) (approx. 4.3 miles away); The St. Francis Women's Club (approx. 5.7 miles away); Santa Fe Opera (approx. 6.2 miles away); Jιmez Mountains (approx. 8.1 miles away); Maria Montoya Martinez, (Povika, Pond Lily) (approx. 8.7 miles away); Pueblo of San Ildefonso (approx. 8.7 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 8.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa
July 1, 2010
2. Tesuque Rain Gods Marker
More about this marker. Marker is immediately east of camel rock.
This marker is part of the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative project.
July 1, 2010
3. Tesuque Rain Gods Marker
July 1, 2010
4. Tesuque Rain Gods Marker
Looking Norrthwest, beyond Camel Rock. Old ramada structure is visible in the background.
July 1, 2010
5. New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative - Reverse Side
New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative
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
assures that women's diverse histories will be remembered and told and will inspire and proviee a guide for future generations.
The 2006 legislature funded the project.
July 1, 2010
6. Tesuque Rain Gods Marker - Reverse
Looking south toward U.S. 84/285 Tesuque Pueblo marker is in the distance.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2010. This page has been viewed 2,388 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 23, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 10, 2010. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
