National Historic Trail Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment: Old Spanish Trail

162 Pages·2001·11 MB·English

by  National Park Service

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National Historic Trail Feasibility Study
and Environmental Assessment
July 2001
OLD SPANISH TRAIL
New Mexico Colorado Utah Arizona Nevada California
• • • •
JAN
o 7
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United States Department ofthe Interior • National Park Service
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The National Park Service thanks the technical team and others who assisted in
the preparation and review ofthis document, hi the interest ofhistorical
accuracy, thesepeople generously shared theirknowledge ofthe history and
resources ofthe OldSpanish Trail. The participation ofthesepeople has
improvedthe document and will servefuture generations well.
National Historic Trail Feasibility Study
and Environmental Assessment
July 2001
OLD SPANISH TRAIL
New Mexico • Colorado • Utah • Arizona • Nevada • California
United States Department ofthe Interior • National Park Service
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
LYRASIS Members and Sloan Foundation
http://archive.org/details/nationalhistoricOOospan
SUMMARY
The purpose ofthis study is to evaluate the feasibility and desirability ofdesignating the Old
Spanish Trail as a National Historie Trail under the study provisions ofthe National Trails
System Act (Public Law 90-543, 16 USC 1241, ct seq.).
Pioneered by Mexican trader Antonio Armijo in 1829, the Old Spanish Trail was a horse and
burro pack route that connected Santa Fe and Los Angeles. In its early years, trappers, slavers,
traders, and immigrants used parts or all ofthe Old Spanish Trail. Other variants ofthe trail
developed as travelers sought adequate water, grazing, shorter distances, smoother terrain, and
safer passage. Over time, multiple, parallel, and intertwined routes developed. Many ofthese
routes followed older trails developed by American Indians, and later followed by Spanish,
Mexican, and other Euro-American explorers.
After 1848, use ofthe eastern end ofthe trail diminished as the California Trail to the north and
southern trails across Arizona became the primary routes to California. In 1847, the Mormons
initiated wagon travel from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles. Their wagon road paralleled or
overlapped much ofthe western end ofthe Old Spanish Trail. This wagon road became known as
the Mormon Road, and served as a supply route for Mormon settlements. Many immigrants. Gold
Rush prospectors, and others used this route as an alternative to the more northerly routes ofthe
California Trail to California. The study recommends that the Mormon Road be considered either
a separate historic route or a component ofanother trail, such as the California Trail.
The history, background, and significance ofthe Old Spanish Trail have been researched and
analyzed using criteria set forth in the National Trails System Act, with application of National
Historic Landmark criteria for national significance. This analysis is found in the "Analysis of
National Trails System Act Criterion B" and the "OtherThemes Considered with Respect to
National Significance" sections ofthe document. The analysis determined that the Old Spanish
Trail is nationally significant, with respect to the theme ofthe Changing Role ofthe United States
in the World Community and the topic ofcommerce as identified in the National Park Service's
Revised Thematic Framework 1996). Trade characterized the most substantive use ofthe entire
(
trail. It included legal and illegal commercial activities between and among various ethnic groups,
and trade in enslaved American Indians. Although the analysis determines a finding of national
significance, it also recognizes that a dearth ofdata exists concerning many aspects ofthe
alignments and use ofthe Old Spanish Trail. Factors such as the highly arid and forbidding nature
ofthe landscape over which caravans on the trail passed, illegal trade activity, and the
opportunities and dangers posed by shifting alliances between trail travelers and the diverse
American Indian bands, had a significant impact on trail alignments and use. The analysis
concludes by recommending that ifthe Old Spanish Trail becomes a national historic trail, then a
multidisciplinary cultural resource management program that includes historical, archeological,
and ethnographic investigations should be a vital component oftrail administration. With respect
to a number ofother historic themes and uses that were evaluated, the Old Spanish Trail is found
to be ofstate or local significance.
This trail study presents three alternatives. Underthe first ofthese alternatives. Alternative A, the
"no-action" alternative, there would be no further federal involvement, and the routes would not
become components ofthe National Trails System as a national historic trail.
Alternative B recognizes the interest in and support for the trail from groups, organizations, and
public agencies. In lieu ofdesignation of the Old Spanish Trail as a National Historic Trail,
Alternative B proposes ways to give the public and Congress additional options for preservation,
interpretation, and public use ofthe trail. Private organizations and the states could implement
this alternative. Federal land management agencies could participate using existing authorities, or
Congress could prescribe additional federal involvement.
Alternative C proposes the designation ofOld Spanish Trail routes in New Mexico, Colorado,
Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California as a National Historic Trail under the study provisions of
the National Trails System Act. Ifdesignated by Congress as a National Historic Trail, the Old
Spanish Trail would be managed through cooperative partnerships with public agencies, nonprofit
organizations, and landowners. The federal role would be to set and ensure consistent
preservation, education, and public use programs. There would be little, ifany, federal acquisition
ofprivate land. It is recommended that authorities be enacted so that land would be acquired only
from willing sellers.
Alternative C proposes three principal routes for designation as part ofthe National Historic
Trail: Armijo's Route, The Northern Route, and the North Branch. Other identified variants of
these routes were studied in the preparation ofthis feasibility study, including the western fork of
the North Branch, the Fishlake Cutoff, and the Kingston Cutoff. These three variants are included
as part ofthe overall study area and met most criteria for National Historic Trail designation, but
are not recommended for designation at this time, because data is lacking to show that they were
used in conducting trade and commerce between New Mexico and California, between 1829-
1848. Future investigations may uncover additional information on these variants that shows they
were used for trade and commerce during the period ofsignificance. Because these routes have
met all other study requirements ofthe National Trails System Act, this feasibility study suggests
that any legislation developed to designate the Old Spanish Trail should also authorize the
Secretary to administratively add these trail variants to the National Historic Trail ifsufficient
documentation is presented to verify their association and use.
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CONTENTS
SUMMARY
i
INTRODUCTION
Purpose ofthe Study
1
National Trails System and National Historic Trails
1
BACKGROUND
Definition 5
Documentation 5
Historical Overview 6
Description ofthe Routes
1
ELIGIBILITY AND FEASIBILITY
Introduction 17
Analysis ofNational Trails System Act Criteria
1
Analysis ofNational Trails System Act Criterion A
1
Analysis of National Trails System Act Criterion B 2
Background 21
Statement ofSignificance: Analysis/Conclusion 23
Period ofSignificance: Trade and Commerce 27
Analysis of National Trails System Act Criterion C 28
Background 28
Analysis 29
Integrity of Resources 30
Feasibility and Desirability 31
Potential Partnerships 36
OTHER THEMES CONSIDERED WITH RESPECT TO NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
RESOURCES 49
Archeological and Historical Resources 49
Ethnographic Resources 62
Cultural Landscapes 64
Natural Resources 65
Socioeconomic Resources 68
Landownership and Land Use 70
ALTERNATIVES
Alternative A: No Action 72
Alternative B: Establish the Old Spanish Trail Through Other Designations 73
Alternative C: Establish an Old Spanish Trail National Historic Trail 75
ENV RONMENTA CONSEQUENCES
I ,
Alternative A: No Action 80
Alternative B: Establish the Old Spanish Trail Through Other Designations 81
Alternative C: Establish an Old Spanish Trail National Historic Trail 84
in
CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY 92
APPENDIXES
A: National Trails System Act 103
B: Expedition Chronology Between New Mexico and California 15
C: Maps 123
D: Selected Wildlife Species 143
E: Existing Public Use Areas 147
F: Agencies and Organizations Contacted 149
G: National Park Service Study Team/Consultants 151
ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure 1 Trail Traces in Colorado 3
Figure 2 Old Spanish Trail: Overview Map 4
Figure 3 Blue Diamond Spring, Nevada 48
Figure 4 Emigrant Pass, California 79
Cover Photo: Traces ofthe Old Spanish Trail across the Mojave Desert in Spanish Canyon,
California.
L\
INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and eligibility ofdesignating the Old Spanish
Trail as a National Historic Trail under the feasibility study provisions of the National Trails System
Act (NTSA, PL 90-543, 16 USC 1241, et seq.). Specifically, section 402 ofPublic Law 104-333, the
Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, adds the following provision to study
section 5(c) ofthe NTSA (16 USC 1244c) directing the Secretary of Interior to study the Old Spanish
Trail:
The Old Spanish Trail, beginning in Santa Fc, New Mexico, proceeding through Colorado and Utah, and
ending in Los Angeles, California, and the Northern Branch ofthe Old Spanish Trail, beginning near
Espahola, New Mexico, proceeding through Colorado, and ending near Crescent Junction, Utah.
Although not mentioned in the act, during its historic development, at least one route ofthe Old
Spanish Trail also passed through northeastern Arizona.
This feasibility study will be submitted to Congress. Any future federal involvement in the Old Spanish
Trail as a National Historic Trail must be based on a specific congressional authorization.
NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM AND NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILS
The National Trails System was established by the National Trails System Act of 1968
to provide for the ever-increasing outdoor recreation needs ofan expanding population and to promote the
preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation ofthe open air, outdoor
areas and historic resources ofthe Nation.
Initially, the National Trails System included National Scenic Trails and National Recreation Trails.
National Historic Trails were added when the Act was amended in 1978. National Scenic Trails are
extended trails for outdoor recreation, such as the Appalachian or Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails,
which also provide "for the conservation and enjoyment ofthe nationally significant scenic, historic,
natural, or cultural qualities ofthe areas through which such trails may pass." Recreational use along
scenic trails is intended to be continuous, allowing uninterrupted travel from end to end. National
Recreation Trails are trails that meet prescribed criteria and offer a variety ofopportunities for outdoor
recreation in or reasonably accessible to urban areas. Such trails can be established and maintained by
non-federal entities, with the "national" designation conferred by the Secretary ofthe Interior, or they
may be trails on lands administered by the Secretary ofthe Interior or Secretary ofAgriculture.
National Historic Trails are "extended trails which follow as closely as possible and practicable the
original route or routes oftravel ofnational historical significance." The purpose of National Historic-
Trails is "the identification and protection ofthe historic route and its historic remnants and artifacts for
public use and enjoyment." The designation ofsuch trails or routes is to be continuous, but established
or developed trails are not necessarily continuous land areas; they may include portions or sections of
land areas, land and water segments, or other specific sites. Together, these qualifying entities form a
chain or network ofareas that may be included as components of a National Historic Trail. National
Historic Trail authorization would require federal funds for the planning, development, research, and/or
management ofthe trail and related trail activities. Some existing authorized National Historic Trails
are the Santa Fe, Oregon, Pony Express, Mormon Pioneer, and Lewis and Clark trails.
The National Trails System Act provides for a lead federal agency to administer each National Scenic
and National Historic Trail in perpetuity, in cooperation with a variety ofpartners, including other
federal agencies, state and local agencies, American Indians, local communities, private landowners,
and others.
IfCongress authorizes a National Historic Trail, a management plan will have to be prepared to guide
the preservation and public use ofthe trail, as well as education and partnership efforts. Existing trail
segments already in federal ownership could become the initial components ofthe National Historic
Trail. Other trail segments could be developed and protected through various means, such as
cooperative and certification agreements, easements, and actions by non-profit organizations.
A basic National Historic Trail tool is the certification of historic sites, segments of the trail, and
interpretive sites along the route. Historic sites and segments that are not on federal land can be
certified only ifthe owners request such recognition. A certification agreement is developed between
the National Park Service and the owner. Only historic sites and trail segments used during the period
in which the trail is considered to be nationally significant and that have a direct and significant
relationship to the reasons for which the trail is considered nationally significant are eligible for
certification. Certification voluntarily commits the owner or manager to preserve trail-related resources
and to allow appropriate public access.
National trails are managed through cooperative partnerships among public agencies, non-profit
organizations, and landowners. The federal role is one ofsetting and maintaining standards; providing
incentives like technical and limited financial assistance to partners; helping to ensure consistent
preservation, education, and public use programs; and managing the use of the official trail logo for
marking and other appropriate purposes.