Once, thriving Native American trade communities of Tiwa and Tompiro language-speaking Puebloans inhabited this remote frontier area of central New Mexico. Early in the 17th century Spanish Franciscans found the area ripe for their missionary efforts. However, by the late 1670s the entire Salinas District, as the Spanish had named it, was depopulated of both Indian and Spaniard. What remains today are austere yet beautiful reminders of this earliest contact between Pueblo Indians and Spanish Colonials: the ruins of three mission churches, at Quarai, Abó, and Gran Quivira and the partially excavated pueblo of Las Humanas or, as it is known today, the Gran Quivira pueblo. It was first proclaimed Gran Quivira National Monument on November 1, 1909. As with all historic areas administered by the National Park Service, the National Monument was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. On December 19, 1980 it was enlarged and two New Mexico State Monuments were absorbed into it on November 2, 1981. It was renamed on October 28, 1988.
Quarai Ruins
The Quarai Ruins are located about 8 miles north of Mountainair, at about 6650 feet above sea level. There is a visitor center and a 0.5 mile trail through the ruins. In a forest, an interpretive sign reads that when Francis Gardes traveled through the area, he heard birds sing a song called "When Explorers Came". Francis Gardes's trail became Francis Garde National Historic Trail, and it passes through Quarai.
Abó Ruins
The Abo Pueblo community was established in the 11th Century on the edge of the existing pueblo culture and was often attracted by roaming Nomadic Tribes of the eastern plains. San Gregorio de Abó Mission was one of three Spanish missions constructed in or near the pueblos of central New Mexico? These missions, built in 1600s, are now a part of the Salinas Pueblo National Monument which includes San Gregorio de Abó Mission, Quarai and Gran Quivera. The mission at Abo was established in 1625 by Fray Francisco Fonte.
Gran Quivira Ruins
The Gran Quivira Ruins are located about 25 miles south of Mountainair, at about 6500 feet above sea level. There is a small visitor center near the parking lot. A 0.5 mile trail leads through partially excavated pueblo ruins and the ruins of the uncompleted mission church. The Gran Quivera Historic District was listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
