Historical Marker
Las Nutrias
Las Nutrias, Socorro County · New Mexico
Nutria is old rural Castilian for beaver, and the meadow here was a recognized paraje a day's travel north of La Joya. Settlers tried it about 1765 and were driven off more than once by raids before the village took hold by 1860. The panel stands in the lot of the San Ysidro church, named for the farmers' saint; by local account the first church was the house of the brothers Ambrocio and Leonidez Ulibarri, on the ground the cemetery now covers. The 2020 census counted 119 people.
What the plaque says
Official Scenic Historic Marker Las Nutrias During the late 17th century, this area had become well known to the Spanish. Called La Vega de Las Nutrias, or meadow of the beavers, it was a welcome paraje, or stopping place, for caravans on the Camino Real. Eighteenth century attempts at settlement in this region failed, but by 1860 the current village had been established and a church had been built by the new settlers.
Where it stands
34.46616, -106.77188 · Directions
More markers nearby
- La Joya de Sevilleta — 9.3 mi
- Doña Eufemia — 13 mi
- Camino del Llano — 13 mi
- Rio Salado Sand Dunes — 13 mi