Cuentos del Anton Chico: Anton Chico Stories

By Daniel B. Flores

Anton Chico is one of the two oldest communities on the eastern part of New Mexico, the area from the Pecos river to the Texas border. The only community older than Anton Chico is San Miguel del Vado, located on the Pecos river and on the old Santa Fe Trail. The name of that village used the older spelling of "Bado" rather than "Vado." Vado is Spanish for a river ford. The Santa Fe Trail crossed the Pecos river at a ford near the village. Because of its age and its location, Anton Chico has had a very rich past. At various times in history Anton Chico found itself on the brink of becoming a very important community. At one time, in 1853, the United States government was considering the area for a transcontinental railroad. The proposed railroad route was along the 35th parallel. The Whipple Expedition visited Anton Chico as it prepared a survey for the area for the propose railroad route. Unfortunately, the railroad eventually completely bypassed New Mexico in favor a northern route through Colorado and Utah. Though Anton Chico did not get the railroad, it was also considered for a wagon trail to the west. The proposed wagon trail followed a route similar to the railroad route which had been proposed earlier. Another military expedition, the Beale Expedition, visited Anton Chico as it mapped out the wagon trail. The proposed wagon trail also was eventually abandoned by the United States. In the early 1840s Anton Chico found itself on the invasion route of the Texas Santa Fe Expedition which had been organized by the Republic of Texas. The Texas Republic had claimed as its western border all the land east of the Rio Grande. That claim included Anton Chico. However, that portion of New Mexico was occupied by Mexican forces and was claimed by the Republic of Mexico. The invading Texans were overwhelmed by the Mexican forces of Governor Manuel Armijo and were forced to surrender at Anton Chico. The defeated Texans were then taken to Santa Fe before eventually being forced to march to Mexico before they were finally released.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1484842499
• ISBN13: 9781484842492
• Release Date: April 2013
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 140 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 0.3" x 8.5"