El Morro National Monument

Visited by Teddy Roosevelt and designated as one of the first National Monuments by him, El Morro NM was established to "save" the many Spaniard and pioneer inscriptions carved into the soft Navaho sandstone.  With a pool of water, precious in this part of New Mexico, many of the travelers took the time to stop and note their passing through this area.  Starting with the Spaniards in 1620, through the pioneers passing through on their way to the west coast in the mid 1800s, and then to the tourist's graffiti in the 1930s.

And above "Inscription Rock", is a large pueblo that has been partly excavated.   Sitting on top of the mesa, it has a commanding view of the valley on all sides.  The pool of fresh water also drew these earlier people to stay and call this area their home.