Near Santa Fe in Santa Fe County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Bicentennial Celebration
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La Bajada
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 16, 2012
1. Bicentennial Celebration / La Bajada Marker
Bicentennial Celebration
This facility was built by the New Mexico State Highway Department to commemorate the bicentennial birthday of the United States. Located 15 miles south of the plaza in Santa Fe, the nation's oldest capital city, the site atop La Bajada (The Descent) affords a spectacular view of the Ortiz, Jemez and Sangre de Cristo Mountains. (See Overlook Tableau)
La Bajada
La Bajada, or the descent, marks the division between the Rνo Arriba, or upper river, and the Rνo Abajo, or lower river, sections of New Mexico. This steep and dangerous grade was long an obstacle to caravan traffic going from the Rνo Grande Valley to Santa Fe.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 35° 31.646′ N, 106° 9.383′ W. Marker is near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in Santa Fe County. It is on State Road 25 1½ miles west of Waldo Canyon Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at the La Bajada Welcome Center in the northbound rest
this page online
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 and also the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Amelia Elizabeth White / Mary Cabot Wheelwright (here, next to this marker); Maria Gertrudis Barcelσ (here, next to this marker); Laura Gilpin (1891-1979) (here, next to this marker); Three Wise Women (a few steps from this marker); Sisters of Charity (a few steps from this marker); Gold and Turquoise (a few steps from this marker); Hispanic Women of Colonial New Mexico and Land Ownership (approx. 2.7 miles away); Hispanic Women of Colonial New Mexico and the Law / Doρa Rosa Bustamante (1735-1814) (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 16, 2012
2. Bicentennial Celebration / La Bajada Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 16, 2012
3. Bicentennial Celebration / La Bajada Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 16, 2012
4. Bicentennial Celebration / La Bajada Marker
December 15, 2023
5. Bicentennial Celebration / La Bajada Marker and surrounding markers
Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 953 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 7, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 5. submitted on December 22, 2023. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
