Clayton in Union County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Rabbit Ear Mountain

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012

1. Rabbit Ear Mountain Marker

Inscription. These two striking mounds were the first features to become visible to Santa Fe Trail traffic crossing into New Mexico from Oklahoma, and so became important landmarks for caravans. From here, traffic on this major 19th century commercial route still had about 200 miles to travel before reaching Santa Fe.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Santa Fe Trail series list.

Location. 36° 28.063′ N, 103° 13.583′ W. Marker is in Clayton, New Mexico, in Union County. It is on U.S. 64 at milepost 428, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Clayton NM 88415, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern New Mexico.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

on the Great Plains,

on the Southern Plains,

on the High Plains,

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 Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Clayton (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Rabbit Ear Mountain (approx. 2 miles away); a different marker also named Clayton (approx. 2 miles away); Thomas Edward "Black Jack" Ketchum (approx. 2½ miles away); The Luna Theatre Complex (approx. 2.6 miles away); Eklund Hotel

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(approx. 2.6 miles away); Herzstein's Store (approx. 2.6 miles away); First Methodist Episcopal Church North (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clayton.

<i>Rear of:</i> Rabbit Ear Mountain Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012

2. Rear of: Rabbit Ear Mountain Marker

Clayton and Rabbit Ear Mountain Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012

3. Clayton and Rabbit Ear Mountain Markers

Rabbit Ear Mountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012

4. Rabbit Ear Mountain

View north from marker location.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,623 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 10, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.