Paraje

While you walk the paths at Keystone, you’ll learn of the rest stops that the early explorers used to rest and where they often replenished their supplies. These “rest stops” were referred to as Parajes and were situated along El Camino Reals that these travelers followed, often 10 to 15 miles apart. The paraje would offer a site where the oxen, mules, horses, and other livestock could graze while the travelers resupplied their journey.

Keystone’s paraje exhibit shares what some of the travelers would have experienced 200 to 300 years ago. We have an example of a carreta, or small ox drawn wagon used to transport supplies. You will see a beehive oven or horno used to bake their bread, roast nuts, and prepare meat.  We also have on exhibit a grindstone which would have been used to grind wheat and corn, as well as other items that these travelers would have utilized.