Santa Clara, New Mexico: Land of Cibola - Seven Cities of Gold
The local museum gives tours of this legendary area. Keep track of where you are in case you stumble across one of those cities.
Santa Clara Museum of Natural History
- Address:
- 408 N. Bayard St., Santa Clara, NM
- Directions:
- The Santa Clara Museum of Natural History is on the north edge of town. US Hwy 180 to Bayard St., turn south at the stoplight, then drive two blocks south. The museum is one the left (east) side of the street.
- Hours:
- By reservation. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 575-537-3225
- Admission:
- $20 per person (+ tax).
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What the Aztecs called the Cueveria, or the 7 cities of gold (or caves of gold? - or mines of gold? - or cracks in the rocks full of gold? ... ) is in New Mexico, and is just a few miles east of Silver City. Honest! The guide says so. You know he's telling the truth, because they even have a web site, 2 vans with it painted on the sides, and are "proud members of the Silver City Chamber of Commerce," who "support small businesses."
W-e-l-l-l-l, they haven't dug down to the gold, just yet, and so that's why they have to charge everybody admission. But you know they're telling you the truth, because they all look real Spanish, dress old-timey in sepia tones, and have very Spanish accents, and know all kinds of old Spanish stuff. It was a hoot! Seeing the petroglyphs and learning the history of what they meant was worth the price.
[Oggy, 11/29/2008]Nearby Offbeat Places
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According to the museum web site: "Petroglyphs are historical road maps left behind by the Spanish explorers telling a story of mineral wealth they found in the region."