Onate Center

Welcome to the OÑATE MONUMENT RESOURCE AND VISITORS CENTER

History of the Center

The Oñate Monument Resource and Visitors Center was officially opened on April 29, 1994. The Oñate Center is operated by the County of Rio Arriba which is situated in north central New Mexico and promotes historical knowledge and research along the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. The Camino Real was inaugurated by Don Juan de Oñate y Zalazar in January 6, 1598. Oñate’s trek followed a trail used by the native before the colonial period later popularized and named the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. This trail (senda) is one of four royal highways so commissioned by the Crown of Spain. The Oñate Center promotes the Hispanic heritage of the Española Valley and Rio Arriba County. The center is in close proximity to San Juan Pueblo near the site where the Spaniards first established a settlement in July 1598.

Primarily a visitor’s center, the Oñate Monument plays a very active role in international cultural exhibits, oral history projects, and is geared at furthering heritage awareness. The proposed monument and center is essentially aimed at educational and rich heritage among the Hispaños of the region and nation. Central to the education of Hispaño is imparting of a thorough knowledge and appreciation of the origins of the hispaño culture, it’s social systems and institutions.

Location: 
State Road 68, Building 854
P.O. Box 370
Alcalde, NM 87511