5/19 An Interesting Rest Area

Actually, this was not even a real rest area along I-40 in New Mexico because it was only a parking spot for trucks--no restrooms. 

But as I pulled in, I noticed this sign and got out and did some more looking. Wow!  1692 got my attention. 

This is the group of homes the sign was referring to, but it is across the freeway. 

Because it is located on a hill, the architecture of the buildings certainly does make you think of an ancient Native American village.  And note the Spanish church in the middle.

 

 I found this government: https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/route66/pueblo_laguna.html. It is well worth opening and reading!  

This web site is owned by the pueblo itself and also interesting, even though the history section is empty.  http://www.lagunapueblo-nsn.gov/Default.aspx  

Found another article online with more history:  http://what-when-how.com/native-americans/laguna-pueblo-native-americans-of-the-southwest/

So the lesson to be learned here is to stop and look at local things as you travel.  I know I have been on this interstate and completely missed this before.