Near Santa Fe in Santa Fe County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Bicentennial Celebration / La Bajada

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 16, 2012

1. Bicentennial Celebration / La Bajada Marker - Side A

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This is a two sided marker
Side A:
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)

Side B:
La Bajada
La Bajada, or “the descent,” marks the division between the Río Arriba, or “upper river,” and the Río Abajo, or “lower river,” sections of New Mexico. This steep and dangerous grade was long an obstacle to caravan traffic going from the Río 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′

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W. Marker is near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in Santa Fe County. Marker 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 area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Santa Fe NM 87507, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Amelia Elizabeth White / Mary Cabot Wheelwright (here, next to this marker); Maria Gertrudis Barceló (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); Golondrinas Old Cienega Village Museum (approx. 4.1 miles away); Welcome to the Cerrillos Hills State Park (approx. 6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Fe.

Bicentennial Celebration / La Bajada Marker - Side B image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 16, 2012

2. Bicentennial Celebration / La Bajada Marker - Side B

Bicentennial Celebration / La Bajada Marker image. Click for full size.

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

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 665 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 7, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.