Posted 11 years ago
antiquesan…
(1413 items)
I purchased two prints that are of landmarks of some kind ,they are done in ink on paper of two scenes ,this one of a valley and at the top are two mountains called Rabbit Ears and the word Mispah ,I'm not sure if this is the artist's name or not.
Could it be what the landmark was called "Rabbit Ears " since you see 2 what could be considered Rabbit ears in drawing as cliffs or rock formations ? Very nice piece !
I just found this . If what I though was right it is in New Mexico
Rabbit Ears (Clayton, New Mexico)
Rabbit Ears
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark Distric
Nearest city: Clayton, New Mexico
Rabbit Ears is a pair of mountain peaks that were landmarks over the Cimarron Cutoff of the Santa Fe Trail. The Clayton Complex includes that, another mountain peak, and three camps between them: McNees Crossing, Turkey Creek Camp, and Rabbit Ears Camp.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1963
Great job there Mani, thanks for sharing that info.
Thanks kerry :-)
Rabbit Ear Mountains a major landmark on the Santa Fe Trail. Those first outcroppings of the Rocky Mountains were named for the sixteenth century Cheyenne Chief, Orejas de Conejo. He was killed in a battle on the slopes of the mountains and buried on the larger of the two peaks.
Clayton has long been a major stop on the trails of the west. Coronado passed through there on his way to Kansas. The Goodnight-Loving Trail with its large cattle drives, used Clayton for a stop over and resting place for the many herds of cattle driven over the famous trail.
In the latter days of the Santa Fe Trail, freight lines from the railroads in Kansas passed through here. Soon after the railroad reached Santa Fe, another railroad came to Clayton. The arrival of the railroad in 1887, probably signaled the birth of Clayton.
Freighting, by wagon, was major industry here at that time.
Before entering Northeastern New Mexico from one of the four adjoining states, the Rabbit Ear Mountains stand out like sentinels, visible from a distance of forty to fifty miles away. Upon determining the name of these peaks from their highway maps, tourists immediately ask the question about these first foot hills of the Rockies "Why do the call it Rabbit Ears". They in no way resemble a pair of rabbits ears. Which is exactly right.
The portion of the trail here near Clayton was in the heart of the land of the Indian. Indian scouts could watch the slow progress of the westbound wagon trains from the top of these two mountains from one, to possibly three or four days depending on where the wagons were pulled by horses and mules or slow plodding oxen.
Chief Rabbit Ear and his braves began raiding these wagon trains, as they invaded his hunting and camping grounds. No doubt ambushing them as they attempted the crossings on the Corrumpa and Seneca Creeks and the tributaries.
The Governor, of what was then the Spanish Colony of Santa Fe, governed by Mexico, sent a detachment of Cavalry along with their indian scouts and guides, into what is now northeastern New Mexico to stop the Indians from interfering with the traffic on the Trail. The Cavalry located the Indian Village, which was near the foot of the peaks, possibly in the Seneca Creek Valley, as this spot shows evidence of having been inhabited by Indians for many, many years.
The Spanish Cavalry took the village by surprise, and in the ensuing battle, killed Chief Rabbit Ear and his warriors, leaving only women and children. The engagement made the Trail much safer for commerce, and gave those peaks their name - RABBIT EAR MOUNTAINS.
Wonderful Manikin! I had no idea what great history the landmark held. Thank You so much ! I've had this print for years hanging on my wall and never knew this information,I just knew I loved it! Appreciate all the information!