Protected Park
Pecos National Historical Park, NM (2024)
National Park Trust, supported by a grant from the National Park Foundation, provided the National Park Service with pre-acquisition work needed to obtain title to a privately-owned 2.18-acre tract within the Pigeon Ranch Unit of Pecos National Historical Park, a unit of the National Park System.
Project Details:
Project Years: 2023 – 2024
Parcel Size: 2.18 acres
Project Cost: $20,000
Park Trust Role: Due diligence, title and survey
Funding Source: National Park Foundation Grant Funding
Overview
The American Civil War (1861-1865) resulted in the deaths of approximately 620,000 men, making it the deadliest conflict in American history. While many national park units tell the story of the Civil War, most are located in southern states. What may be surprising is that battles occurred in western states too. In December of 2024, the National Park Service (NPS) announced the acquisition of lands in Pecos National Historical Park that will enable visitors to better experience and understand the impact of the war in western territories.
In 2023, we responded to a request from NPS to assist in the acquisition of a critical parcel of land key to telling the story of one of the Civil War’s westernmost battles: the Battle of Glorieta Pass.
Supported by a grant from the National Park Foundation, we provided NPS with pre-acquisition work needed to obtain title to a 2.18-acre tract within the Pigeon Ranch Unit of Pecos National Historical Park. The privately-owned property was in the Pigeon Ranch are of the battlefield. With the successful completion of all due diligence work, NPS acquired the land in December of 2024.
Why This Place Matters
The full history told by Pecos National Historical Park stretches back about 11,500 years, including remains of the Pecos Pueblo, other indigenous peoples’ structures, Spanish Colonial missions, Mexican era homesteads, and a section of the historic Santa Fe Trail. The acquired parcel will assist NPS in its efforts to preserve the Civil War history of the area, telling the story of an important Union victory that thwarted Confederate plans for taking control of western states.
The acquisition allows NPS to protect any remnants of the Battle of Glorieta Pass, remove non-historic buildings, and restore the landscape to a state that recalls the land’s appearance when the battle occurred.
Significance of the Acquisition:
- • Affords permanent protection of a portion of the Battle of Glorieta Pass site, an important Union victory that thwarted Confederate plans for taking control of western states.
- • Allows for the restoration of the battlefield viewshed and will remove modern infrastructure/buildings to better interpret the battle, enabling the park to present a more continuous cultural and historical landscape.
- • Increases the amount of land accessible to the public.
