Near Springer in Colfax County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Point of Rocks
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The Dorsey Mansion
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012
1. Point of Rocks Marker
Point of Rocks. Point of Rocks was a major landmark along the Santa Fe Trail. Located in Jicarilla Apache country, it was near here that the party of Santa Fe merchant J.W. White was attacked in 1849. Kit Carson was a member of the military party organized to rescue White's wife and daughter.
The Dorsey Mansion. Built by controversial Arkansas Senator Stephen W. Dorsey in the late 1870's and early 1880's, this part log and part stone mansion was once a center of social life in the southwest. Since its completion, it has been a unique architectural feature in New Mexico.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Landmarks • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Santa Fe Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.
Location. 36° 18.332′ N, 104° 11.294′ W. Marker is near Springer, New Mexico, in Colfax County. It is on U.S. 412 at milepost 23.6, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Springer
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, the Dust Bowl, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: View of the Rockies (within shouting distance of this marker); The Santa Fe Trail (within shouting distance of this marker).
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012
2. The Dorsey Mansion Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012
3. Point of Rocks / The Dorsey Mansion Marker
View of the Rockies Marker is in the background.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012
4. Point of Rocks / The Dorsey Mansion Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, December 28, 2018
5. Point of Rocks Marker
The updated marker only includes the Point of Rocks text.
Photographed by Craig Doda, December 28, 2018
6. Point of Rocks Marker Reverse
The updated marker text includes a map of nearby sites and not the Dorsey Mansion text.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,718 times since then and 188 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 9, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 5, 6. submitted on February 16, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the Dorsey Mansion. • Photo of the Point of Rocks. • Can you help?
