Size: 17 acres
Location: Santa Fe County
Eco-Region: Southern Rocky Mountains
Conservation Values: Scenic Open Space, Wildlife Habitat
Type of Project: Donated Conservation Easement
Date Completed: March, 2015
The property consists of approximately 16.7 acres of land adjacent to Interstate 25 and the BNSF Railroad just east of Apache Canyon in Santa Fe County. The property constitutes the core area of the Historic Glorieta Pass Battlefield. The first day of a three day long Civil War battle was fought here on March 26, 1862. The Union victory terminated the Confederate initiative to push north to Denver. After the conclusion of the battle, Confederate soldiers retreated south along the Rio Grande to Texas.
The Civil War Preservation Trust purchased the property from a private landowner with funding from the American Battlefield Protection Program under the National Park Service. A requirement of the purchase was that a conservation easement be placed on the property, and NMLC has agreed to hold the easement.
The property has significant historic value because it was the site of the Battle of Glorieta Pass. A portion of the Santa Fe Trail crosses the property. In addition, some of the original roadbed for Route 66 is still in place on the property and the alignment for Route 66 runs parallel to Galisteo Creek for the length of the property. The Civil War Trust intends to dismantle the existing exhibit and the National Park Service will be building a short interpretive trail on the property. Visitation of the site will only be allowed through scheduled tours.