Abiquiu was settled by the Spaniards in 1747 after the area was abandoned by the Tewa Indians, probably in the 1500s. This village was built on a pueblo ruins. Abiquiu, whose name is somewhat derived from a Tewa translation, was frequently raided by Utes, Apaches and Navajos in early times. Robert Julyan's THE PLACE NAMES OF NEW MEXICO describes the historical turmoil here. Also, there are numerous New Mexico history books written about this area.
The Abiquiu post office has been in operation since 1852. The nearby Abuiquiu Creek flows into the Rio Chama to the north.
On the way to the cache, please take time to observe the church, a morada, and its very picturesque setting with "views". Also, as a very worthy note, you pass the historic home of Georgia O'Keefe on the left.
This cache is placed as a tribute to those early settlers who are buried here and who contributed to the developemen of Abiquiu. Please respect the area and be discreet. Your support as a volunteer cacher is solicited to place a "Spirit" cache at or near a cemetery of your choosing.