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Tips on Home buying in New Mexico
Nearby Communities:
Farmington
Bloomfield
Ship Rock
Gallup
Nearby Attractions:
Aztec Ruins National Park
Bisti Wilderness Area
Chaco Canyon
Navajo Resevoir
Mesa Verde
Chimney Rock
Route 66
Earth Class Mail
For more information on the Anasazi, visit Cliffdwelling.com
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With a brand new main street finally completed this year, Aztec,
New Mexico is even more charming than ever. The street is lined with
antiques and art stores, cafes, and museums. The town is centrally
located to many of the areas main attractions. Aztec is located south
of Durango along the Animas river valley. It was named after the ruins
of the Aztec Indians found near the town. Fur trappers liked the area
in the mid 1800's. By 1876 the trappers had succeeded in totally annihilating
the beaver population in the San Juan, Animas, and La Plata river
basins.
Aztec streets are hilly and lined with trees and the architecture
has a Midwest Victorian style instead of the more traditional adobe.
The town was first laid out in 1890 and in 1897 it became the San
Juan County seat.
Produce farming provides a stable economy as well as tourism centered
around fishing, snow and water sports. The Anazazian Aztec Pueblo
ruins also brings in the tourists for a quick look.
Aztec Main Street c1910
Aztec Museum & Pioneer Village
The main museum offers a wide range of interesting displays from
around the world.
The Atwood Complex contains exhibits from the oil boom and farms in
the area. The Pioneer Village lets you stroll through a old time doctor's
office, sheriff's office, blacksmith's shop, jail house and more.
Aztec
Ruins National Park
Take a self-guided tour of the ruins and imagine what it was like
back in Anasazi times. In addition to the ruins, there is a museum,
bookstore, restrooms, and picnic area. The ruins are open daily.
Nearby Navajo
Lake State Park
Located on the San Juan River, the earth- and rock-filled dam is
nearly 3/4 a mile long and 400 ft high. Construction was begun in
1958 and completed in 1962. The lake provides plenty of boating and
other lake recreations such as fishing and sailing. Fish stocked at
the lake include brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout, largemouth bass,
crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, and kokanee salmon. Navajo Dam
is located approx. 24 miles east of Aztec.
Angel Peak
Is a 40 million-year-old geological formation which looks like a kneeling
angel with a broken wing. To the Navajo people, it is considered the
dwelling place for the "sacred ones". Located here are several
picnic areas, a primitive camping ground, numerous trails, and as
much peace and tranquility possible. It is located 23 miles south
of Aztec on Highway 550.
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Aztec-Elevation 5,686 feet.
Distance from Denver 481.8 miles.
Main Avenue Courtyard
Aztec Arches
Aztec is becoming known for its wonderful
natural arch formations. There are several natural arches formed in
the vicinity of Aztec. You can see a few of them from the website
www.aztecdaytrips.com. You can also obtain a brochure from
the Visitor's Center.
Salmon Ruin
Is a large Anasazi ruin constructed during the late 11th century. In
addition to the ruins, there is the Salmon homestead, heritage park,
and museum. The heritage park exhibits numerous prehistoric and historic
reconstructed dwellings. The museum provides an overview of Anasazi
history and displays some of the materials recovered from excavations
by Eastern New Mexico University between 1972 and 1978. Salmon Ruin
is located just west of Bloomfield, approx. 10 miles south of Aztec.
Aztec UFO Symposium
Whether you are an avid believer or
just curious, this syposium brings in UFO experts from around the world
as well as the History Channel and National Geographic to discuss the
alleged space-craft crash near Aztec in 1948. The symposium benefits
the Aztec Public Library and provides for an interesting and fun experience
in Aztec. The syposium runs from March 23 through the 25th. Further
information can be can be found at www.aztecufo.com or you can call the library at (505)334-7658
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