National Historic Landmark- Palo Alto Battlefield

Here, on May 8, 1846, 2,300 U.S. Army soldiers led by Brig. Gen. Zachary Taylor engaged 3,300 Mexican troops under the command of Maj. Gen. Mariano Arista in the first of two important battles of the Mexican War fought on American soil.

Galling fire from Taylor's artillery kept Mexican forces from reaching the American line. After the battle, the Mexican troops began their retreat to behind the Resaca de la Palma. Taylor's victory here made the invasion of Mexico possible.

Courtesy National Park Service National Historic Landmarks