“As
a result of this expedition, what has been truly characterized by historians
as one of the greatest land expeditions the world has known, a new civilization
was established in the great American Southwest” reported the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs in 1939. “To commemorate permanently
the explorations of Francisco Vásquez de Coronado…would be
of great value in advancing the relationship of the United States and
Mexico upon a friendly basis of cultural understanding,” stated E.
K. Burlew, Acting Secretary of the Interior in 1940. It would “stress
the history and problems of the two countries and would encourage cooperation
for the advancement of their common interests.”
The site was first designated “Coronado International Memorial”
in 1941 in the hope that a comparable adjoining area would be established
in Mexico. Despite interest by the government of Mexico, the Mexican memorial
was never created; therefore, Coronado National Memorial was established
by Harry S. Truman in 1952.
Operating Hours & Seasons
Daily, 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Communities
Surrounding Coronado National Memorial
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.
“As
a result of this expedition, what has been truly characterized by historians
as one of the greatest land expeditions the world has known, a new civilization
was established in the great American Southwest” reported the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs in 1939. “To commemorate permanently
the explorations of Francisco Vásquez de Coronado…would be
of great value in advancing the relationship of the United States and
Mexico upon a friendly basis of cultural understanding,” stated E.
K. Burlew, Acting Secretary of the Interior in 1940. It would “stress
the history and problems of the two countries and would encourage cooperation
for the advancement of their common interests.”