Antonio Armijo facts for kids

Antonio Mariano Armijo (1804–1850) was a Spanish explorer and merchant. He is famous for leading the first group of traders on a long journey between New Mexico and California in 1829–1830. His path became known as the "Armijo Route" of the Old Spanish Trail. This route was the most direct and southern way to travel between these two areas.

Abiquiú, a town in New Mexico, was the starting point for Armijo's journey. Even though parts of the route between New Mexico and California had been explored before, Armijo was the first to find a complete path that connected the two regions.

Blazing the Old Spanish Trail

Antonio Armijo led a group of sixty men on horseback. They also had many pack animals carrying blankets and other goods. Their goal was to trade these items for mules in California.

The First Caravan Journey

The caravan left Abiquiú, New Mexico, on November 7, 1829. They traveled to the San Gabriel Mission in what is now California. This long trip took eighty-six days, and they arrived on January 31, 1830.

Armijo and his group returned using the same route. Their return journey was much faster, taking only 56 days. They left California on March 1 and arrived back in New Mexico on April 25, 1830.

Documenting the Route

Unlike other routes of the Old Spanish Trail, Armijo's journey was carefully recorded day by day. This record was a short report listing the dates and places they stopped. It didn't include many other details or distances. Armijo gave this report to the governor of New Mexico, José Antonio Cháves. The Mexican government then published it on June 19, 1830. This report helped future travelers understand the route.

See also

In Spanish: Antonio Armijo para niños