Old Spanish

https://www.nps.gov/olsp/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Spanish_Trail_(trade_route) The Old Spanish Trail (Spanish: Viejo Sendero Español) is a historical trade route that connected the northern New Mexico settlements of (or near) Santa Fe, New Mexico with those of Los Angeles, California and southern California. Approximately 700 mi (1,100 km) long, the trail ran through areas of high mountains, arid deserts, and deep canyons. It is considered one of the most arduous of all trade routes ever established in the United States. Explored, in part, by Spanish explorers as early as the late 16th century, the trail was extensively used by traders with pack trains from about 1830 until the mid-1850s. Follow the routes of mule pack trains across the Southwest on the Old Spanish National Historic Trail between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California. New Mexican traders moved locally produced merchandise across what are now six states to exchange for mules and horses. You can visit many sites of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail over the 2,680-mile historic route that crosses 6 states. Santa Rosa de Lima de Abiquiú, Abiquiú, New Mexico crumbling adobe structure with blue sky Santa Rosa de Lima de Abiquiú provided a way station for travelers along the Old Spanish Trail in the 1800s. It is privately owned by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Rio Chama River, Abiquiú, New Mexico hikers walk beside a river with cottonwoods alongside the river This section of the Rio Chama River, tributary of the Rio Grande, is located about six miles north of Abiquiú, New Mexico and flows through the Carson National Forest. Sierra Blanca, San Luis Valley, Colorado desert scrub in foreground, spiky mountains in background, clouds Sierra Blanca is a prominent mountain in the Sangre de Cristo Range along San Luis Valley on Highway 17. Locating landmarks were essential to traveling the Old Spanish Trail. San Rafael Swell, Utah desert scenery, dead tree, blue sky with puffy coulds The San Rafael Swell is a huge craggy geologic feature (an anticline), about 75 miles by 40 miles, located in south-central Utah approximately 30 miles west of Green River. Virgin River Canyon, Arizona a river carves through the landscape, greenery in the foreground, mountains and redrock backdrop This section of the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is off Interstate 15 about 20 miles southwest of St. George, Utah and about 20 miles northeast of Mesquite, Nevada Old Spanish Trail segment, Nevada rocky trail through desert with yucca, mountain in the background This trail segment is 5.25 miles, and is part of the Old Spanish Trail/Mormon Road Historic District, outside Blue Diamond, Clark County, Nevada. Mojave Road, California trail through desert scrub with Joshua trees, mountains in the distance, puffy clouds Old Spanish Trail travelers used this section of the historic Mojave Road is within Mojave National Preserve. The Lands of the Overland Trails: Protests against the Mexican American War Almost every movement in American history has a corresponding counter movement. The Mexican American War (1846-48), which resulted in Mexico ceding much of the modern-day American Southwest to the United States, is a good example. With the stroke of a pen, parts of the Santa Fe, California, Oregon, Pony Express, Mormon Pioneer, and Old Spanish trails, as well as El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, suddenly became American territory. A dirt road snakes down a steep cliff face in the desert. Project Ideas- Communication & National Historic Trails: Old Spanish Trail Communication was an essential aspect of the Old Spanish Trail. Here are a few examples and questions to get you thinking about potential research projects. A historic train depot building, in the desert The Indian Grove within Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Located near a mountain pass and a perennial water source within the boundaries of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a stand of approximately 200 ponderosa pine trees, of which 72 trees have been culturally modified —that is, altered by people. Known as the Indian Grove, the ponderosa pines with their tall, straight trunks and rusty orange bark composed of broad plates, were peeled and harvested by the Ute, Apache, and other indigenous people in the 19th century. Two people stand next to a large pine tree. Ute Raiding Along the Old Spanish Trail The Old Spanish Trail wound through rugged desert terrain to connect present-day New Mexico and California. Even though Mexico technically controlled the trail corridor, much of it was dominated by American Indians—particularly the Utes. Although hailing mostly from Utah and Colorado, Utes used their superior horsemanship and geographic knowledge to raid as far west as the Pacific Ocean. Series: National History Day National Historic Trails are full of topics waiting to be researched! From the Pony Express to the forced removal of American Indian tribes from their homelands, National Historic Trails tell stories of communication, movement, conflict, perseverance, and change. A covered wagon sits in front of a large sandstone bluff. New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California: Old Spanish National Historic Trail Today, the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management jointly manage the trail. The hazardous mule trade route stands as a testament to the epic story of the West, the struggles early frontiers-people faced in the transport of goods, and the critical ties between the international economics and cultures of North America’s opposite coasts in the mid-1800s. Old Spanish Trail map Become a Junior Ranger for National Historic Trails Learn about the National Historic Trails and earn junior ranger badges! These activities can be completed virtually or after visiting a site along the National Historic Trails. Booklets can be submitted either electronically or by mail. Take a look and start exploring the trails today! small photos of different trail sites with junior ranger badges. Historic Valentine's Day Cards Valentines day cards rose to popularity in the United States in the mid-1800s. Victorian cards were elaborate, decorative, often-lace trimmed, and mass-produced. Not everyone could afford such cards, so handmade cards were very popular with pioneers and others who couldn't buy an expensive card. You can take your Valentine back in time by making a historic card! Use the provided template, or make a handmade card, and return to the 1800s with your love. A historic valentines day card with a rose illustration. National Historic Trails: Historical Routes of National Significance Wondering about National Historic Trails? Check out this infographic with basic information about the trails, their purpose, and where you can go for more information! Infographic about National Historic Trails featuring a map. Full description available at link. National Historic Trails Scrapbooks Imagine if early travelers on the National Historic Trails had a polaroid camera... what would their scrapbooks look like? Though we have many journals describing their experiences, there are obviously very few or no photos at all from these journeys. Cameras didn't exist! Well, we took a crack at it and created scrapbook pages for them! Take a look at what we imagine a trail traveler's scrapbook would like! A scrapbook page depicting multiple scenes from the trail, and relevant icon images. National Historic Trails Fashion Inspiration During NPS Fashion Week, we are exploring some ways fashion inspiration may be found on National Historic Trails (NHTs). On NHTs you’ll find intriguing colors, shapes, textures, histories, and stories. From golden sunsets to feathered hats, NHTs have diverse natural and cultural environments that can inspire the fashionista in us all! A red rock cliff with a path winding through it The Mojave Road & The Old Spanish Trail The Mojave Road is a well preserved mid-nineteenth century linear transportation corridor linking a series of historically significant springs across a vast expanse of desert basins and ranges. It passes through Mojave National Preserve and is a branch of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail. Learn more about the history of this site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. New Mexico Fiber Arts Traditions Northern New Mexico has a rich history of fiber arts that is preserved by weavers and other artisans who continue to practice the generations-old traditions. Luminaria Traditions Farolitos are practically synonymous with a New Mexican Christmas. Luminaria traditions have spread over the centuries to many of the former Spanish territories. Conservation Diaries: Ramona Malczynski, Partnership Outreach Intern Ramona Malczynski spent the summer traveling through Northern and Central New Mexico and meeting with many people during her time with the Latino Heritage Internship Program. During summer 2021, she worked as the Latino Historic Trails Partnership Outreach Intern at the National Trails Office of the National Park Service. selfie of two women Apolonia Vaca and Nestora Peña, the Old Spanish Trail In September of 1841, Apolonia Vaca and Nestora Peña, the youngest daughters in their respective families, traveled the Old Spanish Trail from Abiquiú, New Mexico, to California. Juan Felipe Peña and his wife, Ysabel Gonzales, also brought their five sons along; Apolonia Vaca had the company of her father, Juan Manuel Vaca, and seven siblings. Julián Chávez, the Old Spanish Trail In 1834, Mexico decreed the secularization of the missions and made their considerable holdings available to individual citizens who promised to develop private ranchos. On 10 March 1836, Julián Antonio Chávez, an “españole [sic]” from Abiquiú, New Mexico, petitioned the ayuntamiento (governing council) of Los Angeles for a grant of “swampy lands” nearest to the pueblo, declaring that it was “entirely vacant." Black and white drawing of agricultural fields set in front of hills. Michael White (Miguel Blanco), the Old Spanish Trail Barely a teenager when he left England as an apprentice on a whaling vessel, White arrived in Baja California in 1817. White arrived in Santa Barbara in 1828, eventually making his way to Mission San Gabriel—which at that time consisted of little more than a few houses around the plaza, a church, some gardens, and some irrigable land. A small historic home with a slanted shingled roof. Hipólito Espinosa, the Old Spanish Trail Hipólito Espinosa was among the first colonists to arrive in Alta California from New Mexico via the Old Spanish Trail. Like many who emigrated from New Mexico over the Old Spanish Trail, Espinosa had some advance knowledge of California before moving his family there. Espinosa worked as a driver for numerous trade caravans that traveled annually on the Old Spanish Trail. A small, modest, adobe church in an open setting. Jean Baptiste Chalifoux, the Old Spanish Trail Jean Baptiste Chalifoux began his professional career as a fur trapper, first in French Canada and then in western North America. By the late 1820s, he had parlayed his knowledge of the landscape into a career as a mercenary and horse thief, traveling the trails between New Mexico and southern California. A animal hide hangs in a museum exhibit. Santa Fe Exhibits Audio Description Interested in the three national historic trails in Santa Fe? Take a look at these interpretive exhibits and listen to their audio descriptions. Wayside interpretive exhibit, full audio description is available. BLM Price Exhibits Audio Description Interested in the Old Spanish Trail in the Bureau of Land Management Price Field Office? Take a look at these interpretive exhibits and listen to the audio descriptions. An interpretive exhibit panel. Full audio description available. BLM Moab Exhibits Audio Description Interested in the Old Spanish Trail in the Bureau of Land Management Moab Field Office? Take a look at these interpretive exhibits and listen to the audio descriptions. Wayside interpretive exhibit, full audio description is available. Old Spanish Trail Timeline Interested in learning more about the Old Spanish Trail? Check out this trail timeline. Old Spanish Trail Junior Ranger Interested in becoming an Old Spanish Trail junior ranger? Use this information to complete the program and earn your badge! Old Spanish Trail at Aztec Ruins Waysides Audio descriptions and transcripts for two waysides at the Old Spanish Trail Retracement at Aztec Ruins National Monument