Chihuahua (state)
Santa Barbara became the launching place for expeditions into New Mexico by Spanish conquistadors like: Antonio de Espejo, Gaspar Castano, Antonio Gutierrez de Umana, Francisco Leyba de Bonilla, and Vicente de Zaldivar. Several expeditions were led to find a shorter route from Santa Barbara to New Mexico. In April 1598, Juan de Onate finally found a short route from Santa Barbara to New Mexico which came to be called El Paso del Norte (The Northern Pass). The discovery of El Paso Del Norte was important for the expansion of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (The Inner Land Royal Road) to link Spanish settlements in New Mexico to Mexico City; El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro facilitated transport of settlers and supplies to New Mexico.
In which year was El Paso del Norte found?
1598
In April 1598, Juan de Onate finally found a short route from Santa Barbara to New Mexico which came to be called El Paso del Norte (The Northern Pass).
El Paso del Norte