Ruins in ancient pueblo of San Juan, Colorado

O'Sullivan, Timothy H., 1840-1882 · [1874]

Descriptive legend of view no. 21: For "Colorado," in the title opposite, read "New Mexico," in the northwestern part of which Territory these remains were discovered in the expedition of 1874. They are situated on the north bank of the San Juan River, about 15 miles west of the mouth of the Cañon Largo. The ruin is about 350 feet square, and is built of stone in its natural shape, joined by a mud cement. Observe the regularity of the courses of masonry, and the resemblance of the design to the English bond of our present style of architecture, the large blocks of stone corresponding to the stretchers which, in our structures, retain the walls longitudinally. The measuring scale of 36 inches, to be seen in one angle of the room, is a criterion by which to estimate its dimensions. This ruin is characteristic of an ancient people and civilization of which the present tribes know nothing, not even in tradition. There is a belief, that the Aztec race in its integrity, centuries ago, inhabited this San Juan region, whence the were compelled to migrate by the absence of rainfall and the increasing aridity of their land. A portion of them, it is believed, journeyed to Mexico and built cities there, where they were found by Cortez at the time of his invasion. In this exodus they were led by Montezuma, who promised to return for the remaining tribes, and some of the living Pueblos, of New Mexico, who have by some been considered as this abandoned remnant of his people, still believe, or profess to do so, in the ultimate fulfillment of that promise.