The Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument was once a thriving Native American trade center for communities of Tiwa and Tompiro language-speaking Puebloans. During the early years of 17th century, Spanish Franciscans were drawn to this area, since they found it a perfect place to start their missionary efforts. The area was named as Salinas District by the Spanish colonizers.

Around 1670?s the entire area was completely deserted by most of its occupants. Finally the ruins that remained in the area were declared a National Monument in 1909. This included some of the most beautiful and classic architecture of Pueblo Indians and Spanish Colonizers. Among the ruins now protected and managed by the National Park Service are the three churches (some in ruins) Quarai, Abo and Gran Quivira.