There is plenty of history along El Camino Real in New Mexico. El Camino Real International Heritage Center Foundation board member Paul Harden authors a monthly history article for Socorro's El Defensor Chieftain newspaper. These articles are more or less specific to the history of Socorro County and surrounding areas, but typical to much of the history in this part of the state. Some of the articles are found below.  Most articles contains numerous historical and present-day photos.

 

Paul writes these articles to document and share the history of Socorro County and may be printed out for your personal use. However, they are copyrighted and no part is to be used in any publication or placed on the internet without consent of the author.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

History articles of local interest

History of early Spanish missions along

El Camino Real in the early 1600s to a few more "modern" ones.  Includes early Socorro missions, San Miguel, Santa Rita, Lady of Fatima (Florida)

More mission churches in Socorro County, most along the east and west branches of El Camino Real.  Includes San Acacia, La Joyita, Alamillo, Polvadera, Lemitar, Bosquecito, San Antonio, San Marcial, Magdalena

The history of some of the old towns and villages on the EAST side of the Rio Grande.

Includes Abo and Abo Pass, Scholle, Carthage, Tokay, Adobe, Ozzane, Claunch

The history of some of the old towns and villages on the WEST side of the Rio Grande.

Includes Rosedale, Turkey Springs, Water Canyon, Ojo Caliente, Puertocito, Manuelo Rito

This is one of New Mexico's most enduring legends ... the spirit ghost of La Llorona ... roaming the Rio Grande looking for her children. This version is that common to Socorro and southern New Mexico.  Did the legend spread throughout New Mexico and Mexico along El Camino Real?

Click on photo to launch file (or on Part 1 or Part 2 tag)

All articles open as a .pdf file

Early history of El Camino Real through Socorro County and Jornada del Muerto from 1598 to the 1680 Pueblo Revolt.  Includes maps and photos of the trail.

Later history of El Camino Real through Socorro County and Jornada del Muerto from the 1698 de Vargas conquest to the 1880s arrival of the railroad.  Includes maps and photos of the trail.

Without a doubt, one of the Southwest's most famous lost gold stories. It appears the Lost Adams Diggings and the zig-zag canyon are located near the Socorro-Catron County line. But where?

<---click on map to enlarge.

A look at New Mexico's most famous unsolved crime (Col. Albert Fountain), and some of Socorro County's cold cases from the 1880s to the present day.

Updated 12 Jul 2010

Franciscan friars from Mexico and Spain came to New Mexico along El Camino Real, bringing with them song and theatrical performances to teach the native Pueblo Indians the Christmas story -- a rich part of New Mexico's holiday heritage today.

In 1819, Pedro Armendaris applied for a "little" land grant that turned out to be a half-million acres. El Camino Real along the Jornada del Muerto runs through much of the Armendaris. It is today's Ted Turner Ranch.

The famous ride of John Cremony and his trusted steed chased by Apache warriors for 100 miles of the Camino Real and his other 1850s exploits surveying the U.S.-Mexico border.

An honest look at the Apache - those that lived in peace and those that remained warriors until the final surrender. All Apache became "prisoners of war," their numbers dwindled from thousands to a few hundred while in captivity. Today, they are our neighbors in New Mexico and Socorro County.

A look at the emigrant trails that brought tens of thousands of emigrants to the West. Part I covers theCalifornia-Oregon and Mormon Trails. Part II looks at the Mormon Battalion, the Southern Emigrant Trail, the Brewsterite Mormon sect that settled in Socorro, and the Oatman Massacre.

On October 15, 1942, a B-17 on a training mission from Alamogordo, NM crashed into North Baldy Peak near Magdalena. This is the complete story from the official U.S. Army Air Corps accident report to local witnesses.

In April 1964, Socorro City Policeman Lonnie Zamora witnessed what has become one of the most well-known UFO landing cases. This is the real story as it occured in Socorro and from many of the local people involved.

In honor of Lonnie Zamora, who died Nov. 2009 after this article was published and prepared with his assistance.

The origins of New Mexico's families, many arriving 1600-1700s over El Camino Real from Spain and Mexico - New Mexico's 1st families.

Part 1 here - Abeyta to Marquez

Part 2 here - Romero to Vargas

In February 1912, two ruffians robbed the Mogollon Mercantile store of the payroll for the Last Chance mine -- killing two store clerks. The manhunt, trial, and execution is an interesting look at New Mexico's history shortly after statehood.