Historical Marker
Castaño de Sosa's Route
Artesia, Eddy County · New Mexico
Castaño de Sosa did not lead an expedition so much as move a town. On July 27, 1590, he took the whole settlement of Almadén in Nuevo León, nearly 200 people with ox carts and livestock, north against the viceroy's express order, and a slaving party he had sent out rejoined the column with about sixty captive Native men and women. Pecos Pueblo rejected him. Captain Juan Morlete arrested him at Santo Domingo in 1591; condemned and exiled, he was killed at sea in a galley slaves' revolt before his appeal was decided.
What the plaque says
Official Scenic Historic Marker Castaño de Sosa's Route In 1590-91 Gaspar Castaño de Sosa, a Portuguese by birth, took an expedition up the Pecos River in an attempt to establish a colony in New Mexico. His venture was a failure, but it led to a permanent settlement under Don Juan de Oñate in 1598. Castaño de Sosa passed near here in the winter of 1590.
Where it stands
32.80904, -104.39524 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Sallie Chisum Robert — 3.9 mi
- Artesia — 5.9 mi
- Artesia — 6.0 mi
- Seven Rivers Cemetery — 6.0 mi