Fages-De Anza Trail-Southern Emigrant Road
Also known as: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Why it's listed
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in San Diego and Imperial Counties contains three interrelated historic trails: the Fages Trail, the De Anza Trail and the Old Southern Emigrant Road. They began as Indian trails, later served horseback travelers and wagons, and today carry visitors by automobile, jeep, trail bike or on foot. Pedro Fages crossed Coyote Canyon in 1772, and Juan Bautista de Anza passed through in 1774-75 and again the next year with Spanish colonists bound for San Francisco. The southern route later carried Kearny's dragoons, the Mormon Battalion, gold seekers, a boundary commission, the first transcontinental mail in 1857 and the Butterfield Overland stage in 1858. During the Civil War it remained the army's usual route east. The only building in the nominated area is the reconstructed Vallecito Stage Station. The listing also reflects concern that proposed new roads and facilities could damage the area's archeological and historical values.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the desert has outstanding historical and archeological value, with the three trails as its focus. The routes began as Indian trails and later served Spanish explorers and colonists, American emigrants, the Mormon Battalion, mail and stage lines, and military transport. It also stresses the need to protect these resources from new road development.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73002252, listed January 29, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Anza-Borrego State Park, Borrego Springs |
|---|---|
| County | San Diego County |
| Listed | January 29, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73002252 |
| Resource type | District |
| Areas of significance | Prehistoric, Historic - Aboriginal, Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Military, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is marked good and altered. Some trails are open to automobiles, while others are limited to foot traffic, jeeps or trail bikes. The Vallecito Stage Station has been reconstructed and stabilized. |
| Coordinates | 33.22909, -116.26124 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73002252.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.