Desert Diary
January 2, 2003
History/El Camino Real
In the 16th Century, any important government road in Spain was labeled as El Camino Real, so it is natural that the New World's 1500-mile-long artery between Mexico City and Santa Fe would receive that name: the Royal Road, or King's Highway. Parts of our El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro began as trails by the indigenous peoples, later added to by Spanish conquistadors. Juan de Oņate's expedition in 1598 finally defined the full length.
For over 300 years now, travelers and goods have traversed this oldest corridor through the Chihuahuan Desert to the mountains of northern New Mexico. The early monopoly on trade held by the Spanish was transferred to Mexico as that country asserted independence in 1821. However, in the north, after the US Army took control of New Mexico, our royal road gradually fell to disuse with the arrival of the railroads and automobile highways. Now, as a designated national historic trail, once again, El Camino Real is being traveled as a route of cultural exchange and a legacy for the future.
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Contributor: Kyle Robinette, student, University of Texas at El Paso.
Desert Diary is a joint production of the Centennial Museum and KTEP National Public Radio at the University of Texas at El Paso.
References
Web Resources
El Camino Real.El Camino Real International Heritage Center.