"Juan Domínguez, born about 1627, was the son of Tomé Domínguez, a successful Mexico City merchant who transported goods up the Camino Real to New Mexico, beginning in 1631.

Then in 1642, Tomé took up permanent residency in New Mexico, establishing a large estancia near Sandia Pueblo. Thus, Juan grew up with whatever few advantages were available in this rough and dangerous frontier province.

In the course of his life, he assumed charge of a number of Indian campaigns directed against Apache raiders who ravished the Socorro Valley pueblos of the Piros, the pueblos east of the Manzano Mountains, and Acoma.

He also led combined forces of Upper Rio Grande Pueblos and Spanish soldiers several times against a notorious Navajo stronghold, or Casa Fuerte,in the drainage of the San Juan River."

Get the Story:
Marc Simmons: Trail Dust: A historical labor 82 years in the making (The Santa Fe New Mexican 2/4)

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