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Spanish Explorers

Antonio Armijo

1804-1850

Pioneered trade along the Old Spanish Trail

There was money to be made in transporting New Mexico serapes and other woolen goods to Los Angeles, and in wrangling California-bred horses and mules back to Santa Fe. But a viable overland route across the remote deserts and mountains of Mexico’s far northern frontier had to be found.

It took the vision and courage of Mexican trader Antonio Armijo to lead the first commercial caravan from Abiquiú, New Mexico, to Los Angeles late in 1829. Over the next 20 years, Mexican and American traders continued to ply variants of the route that Armijo pioneered, frequently trading with Indian tribes along the way. And it was from a combination of the indigenous footpaths, early trade and exploration routes, and horse and mule routes that a trail network known collectively as the Old Spanish Trail evolved.

Santa Fe emerged as the hub of the overland continental trade network linking Mexico and United States markets—a network that included not only the Old Spanish Trail, but also the Santa Fe Trail and El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. After the United States took control of the Southwest in 1848 other routes to California emerged, and use of the Old Spanish Trail sharply declined.

Source - NPS

Also see:

Old Spanish Trail
Mexican trader Antonio Armijo led the first commercial caravan from Abiquiú, New Mexico, to Los Angeles late in 1829. Over the next 20 years, Mexican and ...

Chronology of expeditions between New Mexico and California
...November 6 -- Antonio Armijo and 60 men leave from Abiquiú, New Mexico, for California and arrive there ... April 25 -- Antonio Armijo returns to New Mexico. ...

History of the Cajon Pass
Soon after Smith, came Antonio Armijo with his mule train blazing what was to become the Old Spanish Trail bringing commerce between Los Angeles and ...

Las Vegas, NV
1829 - Antonio Armijo arrives after his scout Rafael Riviera 1844 - John C. Fremont Arrives 1855 - Mormons arrive in Las Vegas and establish fort 1855 - First ...

Amargosa River
In 1829 the explorer Antonio Armijo stopped here on his inauguration trip of the Spanish Trail. Captain John Fremont and Kit Carson probably stopped here in ...

These Dauntless Trappers
On the heels of these beaver men came Antonio Armijo who led the first New Mexican caravan over the {mis-named spelling} Old Spanish Trail in 1829-30. ...

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