El Camino Real
The Española Experience
| Departure: | Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico |
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| Destination: | Bond House Museum, New Mexico |
| Time to allow: | 1 day |
The Española Experience tells the story of this segment of El Camino Real. You will learn of the Anasazi (ancient ones), the first settlers of the Española Valley. Next, you will learn the story of Don Juan de Oñate and how he led a group of intrepid colonists who settled New Mexico in 1598. You will also learn of the Anglo influence and how it changed the entire Española Valley.
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Start: Santa Clara Pueblo
Visit Santa Clara Pueblo and Puye Cliffs and learn the story of the Anasazi people who populated the region as early as 1,000 years ago. The Anasazi built an architecturally sophisticated series of condominium-type dwelling in the Puye Cliffs. Today their ancestors live in Santa Clara Pueblo, near the site of these amazing ruins.
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Stop 1: Mission Museum y Convento
Directions from previous place: From Santa Clara Pueblo, take NM 30 north one mile to the Plaza de Española and the Mision Museum y Convento.
Distance from Previous Site: 1 miles / 1.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 5 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 45 minutes The Mission Museum tells the story of the Española Valley through various works of art. The Mission Museum itself is a replica of the first chapel built by the Spanish settlers in 1598. Set in an altar screen format, paintings depict the area's history from colonization to the Manhattan Project. You will also find a fine collection of santos (carved wooden saint images) created by local artists. Several of these artists have works a the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC.
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End: Bond House Museum
Directions from previous place: The Bond House Museum is on the Plaza de Española.
Travel Time from Previous Site: 2 minutes Here you will learn about the Mercantile era of El Camino Real. The Bond House was built by Frank Bond. Frank (Franklin) Bond was a merchant and wool grower who emigrated from Canada in 1882. He established a mercantile company in Española with his brother George, who was already living in New Mexico. In addition to running the retail business, Frank Bond acquired extensive tracts of land, including the Valle Grande (Baca Location) in the Jemez Mountains. Using this land to raise sheep, he quickly took advantage of the lucrative wool market. Frank Bond was instrumental in bringing the railroad to the Española Valley which ushered in a cash economy to the area.
