Cimarron in Colfax County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Santa Fe Trail
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 23, 2011
1. Santa Fe Trail Marker
Side A:
The difficulty of bringing caravans over rocky and mountainous Raton Pass kept most wagon traffic on the Cimarron Cutoff of the Santa Fe Trail until the 1840's. Afterwards, the Mountain Branch, which here approaches Raton Pass, became more popular with traders, immigrants, gold seekers, and government supply trains.
Opened by William Becknell in 1821, the Santa Fe Trail became the major trade route to Santa Fe from Missouri River towns. The two main branches, the Cimarron Cutoff and the Mountain Branch, joined at Watrous. Travel over the Trail ceased with the coming of the railroad in 1879.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Santa Fe Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.
Location. 36° 30.625′ N, 104° 55.052′ W. Marker is in Cimarron, New Mexico, in Colfax County. It is on Kit Carson Highway (U.S. 64) east of South Euclid Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 265 10th Street, Cimarron NM 87714, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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 Dust Bowl, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies
this page online
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 23, 2011
2. Santa Fe Trail Marker
Side B:
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 23, 2011
3. Santa Fe Trail Marker
Side A: View to the east.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 23, 2011
4. Santa Fe Trail Marker
Side B: View to the west.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,282 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 8, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
