A replica of the bust of colonizer Don Juan de Oñate,featured on the Equestrian Monument to greet travelers at the El Paso International Airport, was recently placed facing the plaza of the pueblo of Santa Barbara, Chihuahua, Mexico. Santa Barbara was the departure point for the Camino Real expedition,headed by Oñate.The twin,or 2nd replica is looking for a home in a community along the Camino Real.
Kenna Ramirez, President of the XII Travelers Memorial of the Southwest board, is proud to announce the placement of the monumental bust of colonizer Don Juan de Oñate in the town of Santa Barbara. It is the actual size of the helmeted Oñate head on the 36 foot " The Equestrian " statue by the late John Houser and his son Ethan Houser. The magnificent monument represents the Oñate colonizing expedition,which began the arduous 1,300 mile journey from the town of Santa Barbara in January of 1598 heading north to its final destination - San Juan de los Caballeros north of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The caravan of exhausted travelers arrived on July 11th,1598, establishing the first Spanish capitol and settlement in New Mexico.
The three mile long caravan consisted of 539 colonizers including men,women and children, 9 Franciscan missionaries, servants and 120 soldiers along with 1700 livestock and more than 100 rumbling carts carrying families and supplies. Under a canopy of dust,the standards of the King of Spain and the ornate banners of Oñate fluttered in the wind. Most dramatic historically among the livestock was the introduction of horse to North America - stallions and mares, which became so culturally vital to Native Americans in subsequent years.
