Watrous (La Junta) facts for kids
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Watrous
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Watrous House in 1940
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 Location in New Mexico
Location in the United States
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| Location | US 85, Watrous, New Mexico |
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| Area | 3,580 acres (14.5 km2) |
| Built | 1879 |
| Architectural style | Territorial Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000480 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHLD | May 23, 1963 |
Watrous, also known as La Junta, is a special historical area near Watrous, New Mexico. It is a National Historic Landmark District. This means it is a very important place in American history. This area marks where two main paths of the Santa Fe Trail joined together. The Santa Fe Trail was a major route in the 1800s. People used it to travel between St. Louis, Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
La Junta was a key meeting point. It was also one of the first signs of towns and people for travelers heading west. The district includes a large area west of the modern town of Watrous. It covers where the Mora and Sapello Rivers meet. You can still see old buildings there. These include homes of early ranchers. There is also a place that was a mail stop and inn for stagecoaches. This historic area became a National Historic Landmark in 1963.
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The Santa Fe Trail's Important Junction
The Santa Fe Trail was one of the most important routes. It helped people settle the American West. This trail had two main paths. One was the Mountain Branch. It went north of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Then it crossed south at Raton Pass.
The other path was the Cimarron Cutoff. This route was more direct. But it went across a desert. This desert was sometimes dangerous due to Native American tribes. These two paths met west of where the Mora and Sapello Rivers join. This spot is just north of today's Watrous.
Why the Trail Was Important
The Santa Fe Trail was used until the 1870s. Then, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway took its place. The railroad's path was similar to the Cimarron Cutoff. The railroad built the current town of Watrous. This new town was east of the old trail junction. After the railroad arrived, the small community at the junction was mostly left empty.
Historic Buildings and Early Settlers
The community at the trail junction had a few names. It was called La Junta ("the junction" in Spanish). It was also known as Tiptonville or Watrous. These last two names came from early ranchers. Their names were Samuel Watrous and William Tipton.
There are 21 old buildings or foundations still standing today. Most of these were built before 1870. Some important buildings still there include the ranch house and store of Samuel Watrous. This building is now on the Watrous Valley Ranch. There is also a similar building that belonged to William Tipton.
The William Koenig House
Another important building is the rancho house of William Koenig. This house was built in the 1860s. It is now on what is called the Phoenix Ranch. The Koenig House is a great example of Territorial architecture in New Mexico. This style of building was common in the area.
There are also three small cemeteries in the district. You can also see the remains of three buildings. These were part of a horse corral. This corral was managed by Fort Union.
