Content Produced in Partnership with City of Aztec
When it
comes to sun-splashed vacation destinations, few places are more enticing and
memorable than the magical, supernatural surrounds of Aztec. Located on the
high desert plains of northwest New Mexico, this charming community is renowned for its small-town
splendors, big-hearted hospitality, and must-experience attractions.
What makes Aztec so extraordinary? Part of the story surrounds a stunningly preserved historical district that dates back to the late 1880s, when the West was still wild and desperados like Billy the Kid and Henry “The Sundance Kid” Longabaugh roamed the frontier. That engaging era comes alive in wondrous and vicarious detail amid 25 historic residences and buildings that have earned recognition on the New Mexico and National Register of Historic Places. It’s even more apparent at the renowned Aztec Museum and Pioneer Village, where significant collections and exhibits of authentic Americana offer insights into demanding pioneer lifestyles. Insider’s tip: Take the town’s self-guided walking and biking tour by downloading the free booklet, courtesy of the Aztec Museum.
Fans of Steven Spielberg’s thrilling Raiders of the Lost Ark movies are often intrigued that the main character, Indiana Jones, was modeled after Earl H. Morris, the prominent archeologist credited with preserving and restoring the world-renowned Aztec Ruins National Monument. Located just minutes from downtown, the 900-year-old Great House and the dozens of Ancestral Puebloan masonry rooms are considered among America’s most coveted outdoor attractions. Further, the Aztec Ruins are one of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the region, including Chaco Culture National Historical Park (located 70 miles south) and Mesa Verde National Park (located 70 miles north).
Did you know that Aztec is integral to the Old Spanish National Historic Trail? Designated by Congress in 2002, this 2,500-mile pathway “the longest and most arduous pack mule route in America“ extends from Santa Fe to Aztec to Southern California. Remarkably, the Trail originated during a bold 1776 expedition when Franciscan missionaries Silvestre Velez de Escalante and Francisco Atanasio Dominguez. They attempted to map an easy overland route to Spanish settlements along the Pacific Coast, discovered “large, ancient ruins” (see paragraph above) that were incorrectly attributed to Mexico’s sprawling Aztec Indian empire, hence Aztec’s misbegotten name.
Other Historic Moments.
Available in glorious detail at the Aztec Museum and Pioneer Village and the San Juan County Historical Society include:
• In 1887, New Mexico’s territorial government names Aztec the seat of San Juan County. Five years later, after resolving several legal challenges brought by rival communities, Aztec is permanently named the county seat.
• In 1890, a citizen group purchases 40 acres of land from early settler John Koontz to establish the Aztec Town Company. In 1905, seven years before New Mexico becomes America’s 47th state, the town incorporates under the laws of the Territory of New Mexico.
• In 1903, a 40-mile telephone line is constructed from Durango, Colorado. Three years later, the town becomes a key shipping point for sheep and cattle with the arrival of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, a standard gauge line that is abandoned in 1968.
• In 1921, commercial drillers discover abundant oil on the outskirts of Aztec. Natural gas is also discovered. It is soon piped to nearby residences and commercial buildings making Aztec the first town in New Mexico to use natural gas for fuel.
• In 1963, Aztec is awarded the prestigious http://www.aztecnm.com/aztec/history/all-americacity.html. The award honored the citizen-volunteers construction of a 19-mile highway connecting the town to the newly constructed Navajo Dam, a $42 million federal project that creates the state’s largest total-surface-area reservoir. It’s also a major outdoor recreation amenity that includes the world-famous Quality Waters of the San Juan River.
• In 1982, Aztec’s Main Street is designated a New Mexico State Historic District and three years later is added to the National Register.
• In 2014, Aztec completes a community funded pedestrian bridge across the Animas River, creating a family friendly riverside park plus establishes a landscaped walking pathway linking the downtown to the Aztec Ruins National Monument.
Details about Aztec’s amazing sites and rich history can also be found at the Aztec Visitor Center, located in Aztec at 110 North Ash Avenue, and online at aztecnm.com. More information is also available on the City of Aztec Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/CityofAztec
