Pecos National Historical Park facts for kids
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Pecos National Hist rical Parks
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Pecos Pueblo Mission Church
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 Location in New Mexico
Location in the United States
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| Location | NM 63 SW of jct. with NM 50, Pecos, New Mexico |
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| Area | 6,671.4 acres (2,699.8 ha) |
| Built | Start date ~A.D. 1300 |
| Architectural style | Stone Masonry w/adobe mortar |
| Visitation | 43,873 (2011) |
| Website | Pecos National Historical Park |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000485 (original) 91000822 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Boundary increase | July 2, 1991 |
| Designated NHL | October 9, 1960 |
| Designated NMON | June 28, 1965 |
| Designated NHP | July 2, 1991 |
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Pecos National Historical Park is a special place in New Mexico. It's managed by the National Park Service. This park covers thousands of acres. It holds many historical treasures. These range from ancient ruins to 19th-century ranches. It even includes a battlefield from the American Civil War.
The biggest part of the park is Pecos Pueblo. It's also called Cicuye Pueblo. This was once a large Native American community. It was abandoned a long time ago. Pecos was first a state monument in 1935. It became Pecos National Monument in 1965. In 1990, it grew much larger and got its current name. Two important spots in the park are National Historic Landmarks. These are the pueblo itself and the Glorieta Pass Battlefield.
What You Can See at Pecos Park
Pecos National Historical Park is located in western San Miguel County. It's about 17 miles (27 km) east of Santa Fe. It's also just south of the town of Pecos.
Pecos Pueblo: An Ancient Village
The main part of the park protects the ruins of Pecos Pueblo. This village was historically known as Cicuye. Its name meant "village of 500 warriors." The first Pecos pueblo was built around 1100 AD. It was one of about two dozen villages in the valley. These early homes were made of rock and mud.
Over 350 years, the Pecos village grew very large. It became home to more than 2,000 people. Their homes were built in a complex that was five stories tall!
Life at Cicuye/Pecos Pueblo
The people of Cicuye/Pecos Pueblo spoke the Towa language. They had a rich culture. They were skilled builders and made beautiful crafts. Their religious life was also very important. You can still see the remains of over 20 ceremonial kivas. These are special underground rooms. Some kivas were as wide as 40 feet (12 meters) and 10 feet (3 meters) deep. People used wooden ladders to enter them.
Farming was a big part of their daily food. They grew common crops like beans, corn, and squash. Pecos was in a great location. This, plus their strength and ability to trade goods, made them a major trade center. They connected the Pueblo people with Plains cultures, like the Comanche.
People lived in this area for a very long time. Their history here goes back to 11,500 BCE. The last remaining Pecos people left in the 1830s. They moved to Jemez Pueblo. The people there also spoke the Towa language.
Pecos Pottery and Crafts
The Pecos people made, used, or traded seven types of pottery. These included Rio Grande Greyware and Rio Grande Glaze Ware. Many of these pots were decorated. They used black, red, or multiple colors in their designs.
Spanish Mission: A New Religion Arrives
The park also protects the remains of a Spanish mission. It was called Mission Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Porciúncula de los Pecos. This mission was built near the pueblo in the early 1600s.
A 1.25-mile (2 km) walking trail starts at the visitor center. It takes you through the ruins of Pecos Pueblo. You can also see the mission church.
History of the Mission
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado visited Pecos in 1540. The Spanish mission church was built in 1619. In 1680, during the Pueblo Revolt, a traditional kiva was built. It was placed right in front of the church. This showed the Pueblo people's rejection of the Christian religion.
However, when the Spanish returned in 1692, the Pecos community remained friendly with them. The site was finally abandoned in 1838. This happened after the Pecos population suffered from attacks by Comanche groups. The remaining Pecos people then moved to the Jemez Pueblo.
Forked Lightning Ranch: From Rodeo to Hollywood
Another interesting part of the park is the Forked Lightning Ranch. This was a cattle ranch started in the 1920s. It was founded by Tex Austin. He was a famous producer of rodeos.
The ranch's main building was Kozlowski's Stage Stop and Tavern. This was a stop for stagecoaches on the Santa Fe Trail. It also served as a camp for Union soldiers before the Battle of Glorieta Pass.
Tex Austin first ran it as a cattle ranch. Later, he turned it into a dude ranch. A dude ranch is a place where city people can experience ranch life. He invited people from the East to visit. The main ranch house was designed by John Gaw Meem. He used the Pueblo Revival style of architecture. Tex Austin's ranch business didn't succeed. It closed in 1933.
In 1936, the ranch became a working cattle ranch again. In 1941, Buddy Fogelson bought it. He was an oilman from Texas. He married the famous actress Greer Garson. After her husband passed away, Greer Garson sold her part of the ranch in 1991. A conservation group bought it. They then donated it to the National Park Service.
Old Santa Fe Trail: A Historic Route
Parts of the famous Santa Fe Trail run through the park. This trail was a major route in the 1800s. It helped the American Southwest grow and connect with the rest of the country. You can still see the ruts left by wagons on this historic path.
Glorieta Pass Battlefield: A Civil War Battle
The Battle of Glorieta Pass took place from March 26–28, 1862. It was fought in the mountain pass west of Pecos Pueblo. This area was along the Old Santa Fe Trail.
Confederate soldiers were trying to take Fort Union. This fort was controlled by the Union army. Colorado Territory militia fought them to a standstill. Some parts of the battlefield have been changed by highway building. However, two sections are protected by the National Park Service. Public access to these areas is limited.
How the Park Was Created
Pecos Pueblo and 341 acres (138 ha) of land became a state monument in 1935. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson created Pecos National Monument. Control of the site was given to the National Park Service.
In 1990, the main part of the park grew much larger. It expanded to over 6,000 acres (2,400 ha). This included a big area of ranchland and important archaeological sites. The two parts of the Glorieta Pass Battlefield were officially added to the park in 1993.
