Guadalupe Pass (New Mexico)

History

Guadalupe Pass was used first by the Spanish and then by the Mexicans for Janos - Fronteras Road between Chihuahua and Fronteras, Sonora from the late 17th century. In 1846, American soldiers of the Mormon Battalion led by Philip St. George Cooke used the pass and the old road for the route of Cooke's Wagon Road between the pass and the San Pedro River. This road was heavily used by the 49ers during the California Gold Rush. It was soon after replaced by a more direct route, the Tucson Cutoff to the north.