San Rafael, formerly know as El Gallo, is located at a spring near the Malpais, the great lave flow to the east. The area was visited by members of Vásquez de Coronado's expedition in 1540. In 1862, it was selected as the original site of Fort Wingate, focus of the campaign against the Navajos.

Marker is on New Mexico Route 53 at milepost 83.1, 2.5 miles south of Interstate 40, on the right when traveling north.

Courtesy hmdb.org

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