Past Events at the Center -- Historic Forts Day
Our visitors enjoyed the numerous exhibits and presentations on life in New Mexico and along the trail during the frontier and
Territorial periods. A photo slide show on El Camino and Confederate campsites thrilled many history buffs. Frontier cooking, black
powder guns to housewear and sewing was a living history to life over a centry ago.
Larry Marken demonstrates some of the skills once used by frontiersmen while traveling the trails in New Mexico.
February 15, 2008
Updated: 04 Mar 2008 S2 b
The life of Rafael Chacon was portrayed by Dr. Enrique Lamadrid to a standing room only crowd at the Center. Presented in both
Spanish and English, Lamadrid painted an excellent picture of life in New Mexico through the eyes of Rafael Chacon. The role
of the Hispano man, his loyalty to his new country called the United States, and the honor in which they lived is often misunderstood,
but clearly told through the pen of Chacon.
Dr. Enrique Lamadrid portrayed
Captain Rafael Chacon
Rafael Chacon is honored by a memorial in Socorro.
Foundation board member Paul Harden presented a slide show of numerous photographs of the Camino Real trail, maps showing the movements
of the Confederate Army through New Mexico, how much of it simply followed El Camino Real, and modern day photos of the Valverde
battlefield and the Confederate campsites.
A modern day view of the Valverde battlefield, on the north side of Black Mesa. (enlarge)
Remnants of the Feb. 20, 1862 camp of the Confederates, and the wagons burned by the New Mexico volunteers, are still visible today. (enlarge)
The Confederate Army followed El Camino Real from Paraje, south of Ft. Craig, to Santa Fe -- but then blazed their own trail around Socorro on their retreat to El Paso.
Mountain man "Skip" taking a break in the Center, though still looking quite mountain mannish.
Visitors listening to stories of frontier life.
A trail kitchen being readied for dinner.
A typical frontier camp contained black powder rifles to a medical kit.
Click on photos to enlarge
Forts Day Special Presentation:
The life of Rafael Chacon
The Civil War in New Mexico and the Camino Real
Mountain Men and Frontier Living
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Historic Forts Day page
