Historical Marker

Pueblo of Acoma

Built atop a great mesa for defensive purposes, Acoma has been continuously occupied since the 13th century. A dramatic battle between the Acomas and Oñate’s forces occurred here in 1599. The mission church of San Esteban was built between 1629 and 1641, and today looks much as described by Fray Francisco Atanasio Domínguez in 1776.