Garrett Homestead: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, El Malpais National Monument
Regions 6, 7, & 8 Park Cultural Landscapes Program. 2011. Garrett Homestead: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, El Malpais National Monument. Cultural Landscapes Inventory Report. 975600. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. NPS Intermountain Regional Office, Santa Fe, New Mexico / CRIS-CL Database
Inventory Unit Description: The Garrett Homestead is a component landscape comprising approximately 158 acres of El Malpais National Monument (ELMA) in Cibola County, New Mexico. The homestead is located on the east side of the malpais lava flows atop the sandstone cliffs of the Sandstone Bluffs area. Robert F. Garrett applied for his homestead in 1935 under the original Homestead Act of 1862. His was the last known attempt of a claimant to reside on this site. Correspondence with Robert Garrett’s descendants have confirmed his claim on the land and shed light on improvements pursued during his tenure. Between 1935 and 1937, the Garrett family built a stone masonry house and two masonry walls. Three other features that may date to this period of time include the remains of what may have been an horno, a dugout house, and a corral. A semi-circular driveway was made just southwest of the house. Other road segments in the vicinity of the homestead may date to this period as well. After two years spent residing and working on the land Garrett relinquished his claim back to the Federal Government in 1937. The Garrett Homestead is significant as an excellent example of a Depression-era homestead in New Mexico. As such, it helps illustrate an important period of time in the evolution of New Mexico’s population, culture, and land use patterns. Archeological work completed thus far on the homestead has resulted in a wealth of information and has potential to yield much more in the future. The property is eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A and D, and it also retains its integrity to the 1935-1937 period of significance. All remaining features are in their original locations. The overall design of the landscape is apparent from the remaining features and the site’s setting has changed little since the 1930s. The elements of the landscape mostly remain intact and recognizable. Garrett’s workmanship on the homestead house is excellent for a homestead of this period.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Regions 6, 7, & 8 Park Cultural Landscapes Program
- Date of Issue
- 2011-11-09
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
- Units
- ELMA , IMR
- Keywords
- agriculture, Air Force Facility, architecture, corral, depression-era homestead, dugout house, exploration - settlement, fencing, Great Depression, historic road, Historic Vernacular Landscape, homestead, horno, lava flow, livestock, masonry, New Mexico, Robert F Garrett, sandstone bluffs, subsistence agriculture, vernacular architecture