File:Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean (1855) (14737859516).jpg

Identifier: reportsofexplora03unit_0 (find matches)
Title: Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean
Year: 1855 (1850s)
Authors: United States. War Dept Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878 Baird, Spencer Fullerton, 1823-1887 United States. Army. Corps of Engineers
Subjects: Pacific railroads Discoveries in geography Natural history Indians of North America
Publisher: Washington : A.O.P. Nicholson, printer (etc.)
Contributing Library: San Francisco Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: California State Library Califa/LSTA Grant

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to the wagon trail, called by the villagers, as we thought improperly, Camino Real.Along the banks of the arroyo were cultivated fields, a number of houses, and a church. Atthe end of three miles two branches came in, and the cliffs, three hundred feet in height,approached and confined us within a canon. Pursuing a general southwest course three milesfarther, upon the sides of the ravine we found trap, lava, and scoriee, and upon the smoothfaces of broken rocks were carved numerous hieroglyphics representing the sun, animals, foot-prints, &c. We also met with several new species of plants. At length we emerged into theopen country we had not intended to leave, which stretches to the base of the G-old mountains,and is watered by Rio G-alisteo on its passage to the del Norte. Cliffs at the terminus of thegorge were composed of coarse white sandstone, worn into the most perfect representation of acolonnade. Leaving the canon, we had a level country to the valley of the Rio del Norte,
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Entrance of Santa F6 river to the valley of Rio Grande, near Pefla Blanca. which we entered at Pena Blanca. Passing this town, we descended the valley about fourmiles to the crossing of the Rio Galisteo, three quarters of a mile above its mouth. According 46 SAN DOMINGO.—SAN FELIPE. to the barometer, the bed of the stream was here about one thousand feet below the village ofthat name. The channel is sandy, and several hundred feet wide, evidently bearing muchwater at certain seasons. The flowing stream is now only a few feet in width ; but is said tofeed the acequia that irrigates the cornfields, gardens, and vineyards of the Indian pueblo ofSan Domingo, which lies below the junction of the two rivers. This pueblo bears a strongcontrast to Mexican towns; exhibiting, at a distance, considerable architectural effect. A gooddescription of it is given by Lieut. Abert in his report on New Mexico. As we entered, anIndian came forward and offered us the hospitalities of his house; supper a

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