Pecos NHP Environmental History

Pecos National Historical Park (PECO) was authorized June 28, 1965, re-designated June 27, 1990, and expanded November 8, 1990 to preserve, protect, interpret, and memorialize the Pecos Pueblo and related American Indian sites and structures, the Spanish colonial missions of Pecos, the homesteads of the Mexican era, a segment of the Santa Fe trail and related sites, camps and battlefields related to the Civil War battle of Glorieta Pass, and a 20th century ranch, all within the park. Segments of the Route 66 National Corridor dating from 1926-1938 are also within the park. Each of these historic activities altered the landscape and environment of the upper Pecos River region. Although some information on the environmental history and historic landscape of the Pecos National Historical Park has been included in previous history studies and the Pecos National Historical Park “Cultural Landscape Overview” (1998), more detailed information is needed as a foundation for management decisions that will guide the long-term development of the national historic park.