Historical Marker
Rabbit Ear Mountain
Clayton, Union County · New Mexico
The mounds may not be named for rabbits at all. The tradition most accounts give ties the name to a leader the Spanish called Orejas de Conejo, killed when a Spanish expedition from Santa Fe attacked his people's camp here in the early 1700s and, the story goes, buried on the larger peak. The accounts cannot agree whether he was Comanche or Cheyenne, and one historian notes no one can say whether he was named for the mountain or it for him.
What the plaque says
Official Scenic Historic Marker Rabbit Ear Mountain These two striking mounds were the first features to become visible to Santa Fe Trail traffic crossing into New Mexico from Oklahoma, and so became impor- tant landmarks for caravans. From here, traffic on this major 19th century commercial route still had about 200 miles to trav- el before reaching Santa Fe.
Where it stands
36.44368, -103.20761 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Clayton — steps away
- Black Jack Ketchum — 1.7 mi
- Clayton Dinosaur Trackway — 1.7 mi
- Rabbit Ear Mountain — 2.0 mi