Tierra Amarilla

The panel's conflict began as a citizen's arrest. On June 5, 1967, armed members of the Alianza Federal de Mercedes entered the county courthouse here to seize District Attorney Alfonso Sánchez, who had broken up their meeting at Coyote two days before; he was in Santa Fe. State policeman Nick Saiz and jailer Eulogio Salazar were shot and wounded, and the sheriff and a reporter were taken hostage. National Guard tanks joined the manhunt. Salazar, a witness, was beaten to death in January 1968, a killing never solved, and that December Tijerina was acquitted of the raid charges.

What the plaque says

Official Scenic Historic Marker Tierra Amarilla Elevation 7860 ft. In 1832 the Mexican government made a large community land grant to Manuel Martínez and other settlers, but settlement was delayed by raids by Utes, Jicarilla Apaches, and Navajos. Tierra Amarilla, first called Nutritas, became the Río Arriba County seat in 1880. In 1967 it was the focus of conflicts between National Guards- men and land rights activist Reies López Tijerina.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad — 13 mi
  A narrow-gauge steam railroad from Chama over 10,015-foot Cumbres Pass to Antonito, kept narrow because nobody ever thought it worth converting.

More markers nearby

• Fort Lowell — 0.7 mi
• Tierra Amarilla — 2.1 mi
• Chama — 10 mi
• Chama — 13 mi