Near Lupton in Apache County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

One Days Ride to Zuni

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010

1. One Days Ride to Zuni Marker

Inscription. In November of 1776 a party of Spanish explorers and Indian guides passed through this area on their way to the Zuni Mission in what is now New Mexico. Franciscan Fathers, Francisco Atanasio Dominquez and Silvestre Velez De Escalante, had embarked from Santa Fe with hopes of discovering an overland route to the presidio at Monterey. However, cold weather and rugged terrain forced them to turn south and return to Santa Fe. While they never succeeded in finding a shorter route to California, the priests explored much new territory in the present states of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. They were the first Europeans to discover a usable crossing of the Colorado River after wandering for miles along the rim of the seemingly impassable Marble Canyon Gorge.

The explorers had attempted bringing the Christian religion to the Hopis in Oraibi; 100 miles west of here. Their conversion efforts were not well received; but they were saved from starving by the Hopis. They camped near this location on November 16, 1776 in a snowstorm. They had but one more days ride before reaching the familiar mission in Zuni, New Mexico.

Erected 1976 by Arizona Department of Transportation and the Arizona Bicentennial Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:

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Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Dominguez y Escalante Expedition series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1776.

Location. 35° 21.181′ N, 109° 3.474′ W. Marker is near Lupton, Arizona, in Apache County. It can be reached from Interstate 40 at milepost 359. Marker is located at the rest area off of I-40 at exit 359. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lupton AZ 86508, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Navajo Nation.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Arizona's Most Abundant Resources (here, next to this marker); In Memory of Max Ortega (a few steps from this marker); Arizona Highways (within shouting distance of this marker); Manuelito Area (approx. 4.3 miles away in New Mexico).

Also see . . .
1. Dominguez-Escalante Expedition. Desert USA article on the expedition of Escalante and Dominguez. (Submitted on October 5, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.)

2. Domínguez–Escalante Expedition on Wikipedia. (Submitted on December 2, 2019.)
3. Article from Intermountain Histories.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010

2. One Days Ride to Zuni Marker

(Submitted on December 2, 2019.)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010

3. One Days Ride to Zuni Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,021 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 5, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.