Historical Marker

Salinas National Monument (1)

This unique regional complex of Puebloan structures and associated 17th-century Franciscan mission ruins are austere and beautiful reminders of early contact between Tiwa and Tompiro speaking Pueblo Indians and Spanish Colonials. The complex includes Abó, Quarai, and Gran Quivira ruins. The areas saline deposits in the valley’s small basin lakes were utilized by native peoples and early Spanish settlers.