Be sure to visit www.santafetrail.org/geocaching to learn about the PASSPORT ACTIVITY to accompany this Geo Tour. The history of the Santa Fe Plaza and the LaFonda Hotel is a vital part of the Santa Fe Trail story. "When Santa Fe was founded by the Spanish in 1607, official records show that an inn or “fonda” was among the first businesses established. Since then, there has always been a fonda on the Plaza to host traders, politicians, celebrities, and travelers of all kinds. In 1821 when Captain William Becknell completed the first successful trading expedition from Missouri to Santa Fe–-a route which came to be known as the Santa Fe Trail--he enjoyed the hospitality at the historic inn at the trail’s terminus, the town’s central Plaza. The current La Fonda was built in 1922 on the site of previous inns. In 1925 it was acquired by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad which leased it to legendary hotelier Fred Harvey, who operated it as one of his renowned Harvey House Hotels for more than 40 years. In 1968, the property came under local ownership and remains so today. Throughout its history, La Fonda has been synonymous with Southwestern hospitality and is still the true heart of Santa Fe for visitors and locals alike.” -- Taken from HistoricHotels.org
The Plaza, a National Historic Landmark, is in the middle of Santa Fe and was the traditional end of the Santa Fe Trail for westbound travelers. The Palace of the Governors is on the north side of the Santa Fe Plaza. Built in 1610, it served as the seat of government in New Mexico for 300 years. After occupying New Mexico for the United States in 1846, Kearny raised the U.S. flag over the palace and took up residence inside. It is now houses the Museum of New Mexico, and is also a National Historic Landmark. Built on the hill overlooking the city of Santa Fe in 1846 was Fort Marcy. This was the headquarters for troops in New Mexico until Fort Union was built in 1851 to get the troops out of the Santa Fe environment. Some features are still visible. Interpretive waysides are found on a hiking trail in the area that was once Fort Marcy.
Most containers on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail Geo Tour are military ammunition canisters with an identifying Santa Fe Trail Association yellow sticker on the top of the box, under the handle and the dark green geocaching.com ID is on the side of the boxes with the information that provides coordinates, who set the cache and who to contact for information. However, this container, in keeping with the historic surroundings, is a replica of a small traveling trunk. It is kept near the CONCIERGE desk--From the front entrance, the Concierge desk is straight ahead on the right side of the lobby. If you need assistance, the CONCIERGE Staff can help you -- do NOT ask for help at the FRONT DESK FOR HOTEL GUEST CHECK-IN). Each cache contains a logbook to sign, a variety of items that provide information about the Santa Fe Trail as well as swag items. If you are participating in the Passport activity, the code word is located on the inside of the box, on the top of the lid and is clearly identified as Code Word. Permission to set caches has been obtained. We ask that all cachers please respect all property at the sites where our caches are set.