Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
290
pediment decoration, was the town's pride and joy, and it has been happily restored. (See
“Where to Stay in Las Vegas,” below.)
Housed in a 1940s-era Work Projects Administration (WPA) building, the
Las Vegas
City Museum and Rough Riders Memorial Collection,
727 Grand Ave. (
&
505/454-
1401,
ext. 283), is a fun spot to spend about an hour. The largest contingent of Rough
Riders was recruited from New Mexico to fight in the 1898 Spanish-American War. This
museum chronicles their contribution to U.S. history and also contains artifacts relating
to the history of the city. Another exhibit documents the history of Las Vegas. Admission
is free. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm, and by appointment.
In the plaza area, the
Santa Fe Trail Interpretive Center,
127 Bridge St. (
&
505/425-
8803;
www.lvsmchamber.org), offers a glimpse into efforts to restore the town's 918
historic buildings as well as information about the Santa Fe Trail. Set in the 1890s Win-
ternitz Building, it's a fun stop, if you find it open. Hours vary greatly, as it is staffed by
volunteers.
EXPLORING THE AREA
La Cueva National Historic Site and Salman Ranch
Finds
Each fall, I make
a bit of a pilgrimage to this spot in a lush valley along the Mora River. Its history is rich,
dating from the early 1800s, when a man named Vicente Romero began farming and
raising sheep here. He completed an elegant two-story northern New Mexico home that
still stands, as well as a mill that ground flour and supplied electricity for the area (the
real draw). Just north of these historic sites is the San Rafael Mission Church, with
exquisite French Gothic windows. Recently restored by local people, it's now painted
blue and white. The trip through these sites is worth the time during any season, but in
the fall, the raspberries ripen and turn this into a must-do trip to sample berries by the
basket or crate, as well as in jams and over soft vanilla ice cream. Delicious.
NM 518, 6 miles east of Mora, Buena Vista, NM 87712.
&
505/387-2900.
Free admission. Summer Mon-
Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm; winter hours limited (call first).
10
Fort Union National Monument
Established in 1851 to defend the Santa Fe Trail against attacks from Plains Indians, Fort
Union was expanded in 1861 in anticipation of a Confederate invasion, which was sub-
sequently thwarted at Glorieta Pass, 20 miles southeast of Santa Fe. Fort Union's location
on the Santa Fe Trail made it a welcome way station for travelers, but when the railroad
replaced the trail in 1879, the fort was on its way out. It was abandoned in 1891. Today,
Fort Union, the largest military installation in the 19th-century Southwest, is in ruins.
Though it offers little to see but adobe walls and chimneys, the very scope of the fort is
impressive. Santa Fe Trail wagon ruts can still be seen nearby. Follow the 1.5-mile self-
guided interpretive trail that wanders through the ruins and imagine yourself a weary
19th-century wagon traveler stopping for rest and supplies.
The national monument has a small visitor center and museum with exhibits and
booklets on the fort's history. Visitors should allow 2 hours to tour the ruins.
JUST THE FACTS
To reach the site from Las Vegas, drive 18 miles north on I-25 to
the Watrous exit, and then another 8 miles northwest on NM 161. Admission is $3 per
person. Fort Union National Monument is open Memorial Day to Labor Day daily from
8am to 6pm; during the rest of the year, it is open daily from 8am to 4pm. It's closed
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
