Oñate , << oh NYAH tay, >> Juan de (1550?-1626?), was a Spanish explorer. He is remembered mainly for colonizing the territory now called New Mexico, in 1598. His explorations extended from the Colorado River to the plains of Kansas. Oñate served as governor of the territory but quarreled with the settlers and was forced to resign in 1607. He was tried and found guilty of immorality and abuse of power. It was largely due to Oñate that the city of Santa Fe was founded in about 1610. Oñate was born near Zacatecas, Mexico.
See also Mission San Esteban del Rey .
