Travel Guide Pecos

In 1821, the region became independent from Spain and part of Mexico. That same year, the Santa Fe Trail was laid out by William Becknell. Around the same time, the village of Pecos was established along the Pecos River. In 1838, the few remaining Native Americans in Pecos and the nearby mission (now Pecos National Historical Park) reached Jemez , about 80 miles to the west. In 1880, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad arrived in the area, and a station was established in Pecos.Pecos National Historical Park is located 1.9 miles south of the town of Pecos.In 1882, the Terrero Mine opened about 13 miles north of Pecos (copper, then gold, silver, lead and zinc). At its peak, Tererro had more than 3,000 people and the mine employed about 600 people. During these active years, the Pecos economy flourished and by 1900, some 540 people lived within the Pecos compound. The mine continued to produce until 1939.By 1926, Route 66 followed the old Santa Fe Trail and the Santa Fe Railroad tracks, passing through a number of Spanish-speaking settlements downstream from Pecos. In the 1930s, several roads, bridges, and campgrounds were built in Pecos Canyon by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and a number of Dude Ranches (or Guest Ranches) were established in the area. These Dude Ranches played a major role in the local economy. The Valley Ranch in Pecos was a popular destination that hosted Sunday afternoon rodeos.In 1937, Route 66 was realigned further south, bypassing Santa Fe and providing a more direct route between Santa Rosa and Albuquerque.Then, in 1947, Trappist monks purchased the Valley Ranch and established a monastery. The Trappists moved to Oregon in 1955, selling the property to Benedictine monks from Wisconsin who operated the monastery until 1985. That monastery is now Our Lady of Guadalupe Abbey, whose monks belong to the Mount Olivet order.Today, Pecos is home to 1,400 people, and is best known for the Pecos National Historical Park which is located 2 miles south of town.