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 Oñate'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.
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.