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52-635: Taos ( / t aʊ s / ) is a town in Taos County , in the north-central region of New Mexico in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains . Initially founded in 1615, it was intermittently occupied until its formal establishment in 1795 by Nuevo México Governor Fernando Chacón to act as fortified plaza and trading outpost for the neighboring Native American Taos Pueblo (the town's namesake) and Hispano communities, including Ranchos de Taos , Cañon, Taos Canyon, Ranchitos, El Prado , and Arroyo Seco . The town

104-672: A millennium . It is estimated that the pueblo was built between 1000 and 1450 A.D., with some later expansion, and the pueblo is considered to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. Located in a tributary valley off the Rio Grande , it is the most northern of the New Mexico pueblos . The pueblo, at some places five stories high, is a combination of many individual homes with common walls. There are over 1,900 Taos Puebloans living within

156-510: A warm-summer humid continental climate ( Köppen Dfb ), though it borders on a semi-arid climate ( BSk ) due to the low rainfall. The town is characterized by extreme diurnal variations of temperature . Even when summer days get extremely hot, nights cool off considerably. Dirt roads and driveways in Taos can experience a particularly bad mud season when winter weather is followed by unseasonably warm temperatures. This occurs because area soil

208-555: A community campus in Taos, with eight affiliated buildings in Taos, such as the UNM Harwood Museum of Art and Taos High School where some classes are held. The Earthship Academy (or Earthship Biotecture Academy) is offering training in Earthship design principles, construction methods and philosophy. Earthship is a particular type of sustainable architecture and design, based around solar power . The town of Taos

260-479: A household in the county was $ 26,762, and the median income for a family was $ 33,995. Males had a median income of $ 27,310 versus $ 21,121 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 16,103. About 16.10% of families and 20.90% of the population were below the poverty line , including 24.60% of those under age 18 and 20.80% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2010 census , there were 32,937 people, 14,806 households, and 8,437 families living in

312-533: A household in the town was $ 25,016, and the median income for a family was $ 33,564. Males had a median income of $ 27,683 versus $ 23,326 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 15,983. About 17.9% of families and 23.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 26.8% of those under age 18 and 24.4% of those age 65 or over. Taos is located at 36°23′38″N 105°34′36″W  /  36.39389°N 105.57667°W  / 36.39389; -105.57667 (36.393979, −105.576705). The town has

364-586: A priest in Taos before leaving for Isleta in 1891. Beginning in 1899, artists began to settle in Taos; six formed the Taos Society of Artists in 1915. In time, the Taos art colony developed. Many paintings were made of local scenes, especially of Taos Pueblo and activities there, as the artists often modelled Native Americans from the pueblo in their paintings. Some of the artists' studios have been preserved and may be viewed by visitors to Taos. These include

416-638: A studio three blocks from the plaza. In addition to the studio having capacity to seat 60, there is also a two bedroom living space. In addition to her and her husband's own performances, the studio has hosted poetry readings, presentations and performance from local Taoseñas and fellows from the Wurlitzer Foundation. Many of the historic sites are homes and studios of artists, including the Mabel Dodge Luhan House , Eanger Irving Couse House and Studio—Joseph Henry Sharp Studios ,

468-473: A total area of 5.4 square miles (14 km), all land. Taos is located within two watersheds, categorized as subwatersheds or HUC12s in the United States. The town is mostly located in the Outlet Rio Fernando del Taos Watershed, where its two waterbodies are rated as impaired. A coalition of local organizations are working to improve the watershed's health. The northern edge of town is within

520-461: Is a tourist destination with many shops displaying Northern New Mexico foods and cultural items, including products made in Taos, chile ristras , packaged food items , Southwestern jewelry, pottery , clothing, leather work, and Native American moccasins and drums . The Fiestas de Santa Ana y Santiago (colloquially referred to as the Fiestas de Taos) is hosted during the final week of July,

572-532: Is consistently ranked the best mountain bike trail in New Mexico. There are also numerous hot springs along the Rio Grande and in the Taos Mountains . Ojo Caliente offers locations where visitors can enjoy access to mineral springs as well as massages and other spa treatments. Among hot springs in the area is a historical site called Stage Coach, which used to double as a brothel during the times of

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624-474: Is heavy with silt , which makes it vulnerable to frost heaving . The town's public schools operated by Taos Municipal Schools include Arroyos del Norte Elementary School, Enos García Elementary (also Taos Elementary School), Ranchos Elementary School, Taos Middle School, Taos High School and Taos Cyber Magnet School. Charter schools include Anansi Charter School, Taos Academy (State Charter), Taos Municipal Charter School and Vista Grande High School. Also in

676-624: Is home to more than twenty sites on the National Register of Historic Places . About 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Taos is Taos Pueblo . Picuris Pueblo is located about 25 miles (40 km) south. The Fiestas de Taos is an annual community celebration in the Taos Plaza honoring the feast of the two patron saints of Taos, Santa Ana and Santiago. It is normally celebrated the third weekend of July. A commemorative mass and procession from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church officially opens

728-420: Is incorporated under the mayor-council form of government. The town was incorporated on May 7, 1934. The town seal is a logo of the town of Taos with the year of incorporation "1934" in the center, and on the outer edge, the words "Town of Taos, New Mexico". The elective officers of the town include the mayor, four members of the governing body forming the town council, and a municipal judge. The town council

780-699: Is metered parking within the plaza and shopping includes galleries of Native American art and jewelry and souvenir shops. The old courthouse and historic Taos jail are located on the north side of the Plaza. It is the central point for a walking tour of the Taos Downtown Historic District , which includes the Ernest L. Blumenschein House , Harwood Museum of Art , Governor Charles Bent House , Taos Inn , John Dunn House, Taos Art Museum , and

832-704: Is site of other performances and lectures. The Town of Taos Convention Center offers a venue for other local performances. The Taos Talking Pictures Film Festival was a film festival held in the town from the mid-1990s to 2003. The festival's top prize was 5 acres (2.0 ha) of land. The Carson National Forest and Rio Grande del Norte National Monument provide many opportunities for recreation, such as hiking, skiing, fly fishing, horseback riding, golfing, hot air ballooning, llama trekking , rafting, and mountain biking. The South Boundary National Recreation trail, east of town in Carson National Forest,

884-852: Is the Turley Mill and Distillery Site and the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge . Just outside Taos in Ranchitos is the Martinez Hacienda , the home turned museum of the late Padre Antonio José Martínez . South of Taos is the Ranchos de Taos Plaza with the San Francisco de Asis Mission Church . About 20 miles (32 km) northwest is the D. H. Lawrence Ranch (originally known as the Kiowa Ranch and now owned by

936-401: Is the board of finance of the town. The town manager and finance director serve as the nonvoting members to the board of finance. Key positions within the town government are town manager, appointed by the mayor, Town Attorney, Town Clerk, Town Engineer and Chief of Police. Taos County, New Mexico Taos County is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico . As of the 2020 census ,

988-475: Is the historic center of the town of Taos. Once a Spanish fortified walled plaza with houses and businesses, it now has a park with shady trees, park benches, and a gazebo surrounded by retail businesses made of adobe. An anchor of the plaza is the Hotel La Fonda de Taos, which has a small museum of D.H. Lawrence paintings and a restaurant named Joseph's Table with hand-painted floral murals. There

1040-485: Is water. The county's highest point is the summit of Wheeler Peak at 13,161 feet (4,011 m). This summit is also the highest natural point in New Mexico. The county has the highest mean elevation of any U.S. county outside of Colorado at 8,510 feet (2,590 m), even though it ranks only 22nd overall. Taos County contains 17 of New Mexico's highest 25 peaks. As of the 2000 census , there were 29,979 people, 12,675 households, and 7,757 families living in

1092-669: The Ernest L. Blumenschein House , the Eanger Irving Couse House and Studio—Joseph Henry Sharp Studios , and the Nicolai Fechin house, all of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Influential later 20th-century Taos artists include R. C. Gorman and Agnes Martin . A number of Foundations host artist residencies in Taos including the prestigious Helene Wurlitzer Foundation which began hosting painters, writer, composers, sculptors, poets and filmmakers at Casa Encantado in 1954. Taos

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1144-701: The Nicolai Fechin House , the Leon Gaspard House , and the Ernest Martin Hennings House. Doc Martin's restaurant in the historic Taos Inn was previously the office of Thomas "Doc" Martin while other parts of the inn served as his home and the birthplace of the Taos Society of Artists . On Ledoux street, just south of the Taos Plaza, is the Ernest L. Blumenschein House and Harwood House . The center of

1196-655: The Nicolai Fechin House . It is located immediately west of the intersection of US 64 (Kit Carson Road) and NM 68 . Taos County owns and manages it. Located in Taos, New Mexico . Spanish settlers began colonization of the Taos Valley in 1616, but the Plaza dates to the late 18th century when the Don Fernando de Taos Land Grant was ceded to Spanish settlers from the Taos Pueblo in 1796 by Don Fernando de Chacon, Governor of New Mexico. It and

1248-576: The Spanish conquest of the Indian Pueblo villages. Initially, relations of the Spanish settlers with Taos Pueblo were amicable, but resentment of meddling by missionaries, and demands by encomenderos for tribute, led to a revolt in 1640; Taos Indians killed their priest and a number of Spanish settlers and subsequently fled the pueblo, not returning until 1661. In 1680, Taos Pueblo joined

1300-818: The Taos Downtown Historic District is the Taos Plaza. Just west of that is the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church . North of the Taos Plaza is the Governor Charles Bent House and the Taos Inn . Further north in Taos The Bernard Beimer House. On the southwestern edge of the Taos Historic district is La Loma Plaza Historic District . East of the plaza on Kit Carson Road is the Kit Carson House . North of Taos

1352-545: The Taos Pueblo were the terminal points of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro , or King's Highway, from Mexico City . Taos Plaza served for decades as the central meeting place in the valley and survived numerous fires that destroyed several older buildings. Nearby is the home of Charles Bent , who was appointed Governor of New Mexico when it became an American Territory during the Mexican–American War . He

1404-651: The Taos Revolt on January 19, 1847. During the Taos Revolt, Bent's horses were set free from their stable. The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Taos that provides free residency to eleven artists, with each year divided into three residency sessions of three months apiece at Casa Encantado. Abbie Conant , former principal trombonist of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra and seasonal Taos resident, runs

1456-530: The Taos Society of Artists . There are several local venues for the performing arts in Taos. The Taos Center for the Arts (TCA) draws nationally renowned and local performers at the Taos Community Auditorium. They also present independent film series. Three chamber music groups perform at TCA: Taos School of Music, Taos Chamber Music Group, and Music from Angel Fire. The Harwood Museum of Art

1508-743: The University of New Mexico ), the home of the English novelist in the 1920s. It is believed that his ashes are buried there at the D. H. Lawrence Memorial. There are three art museums in Taos: Harwood Museum of Art , Taos Art Museum and Millicent Rogers Museum that provide art from the Pueblo Native Americans, Taos Society of Artists and modern and contemporary artists of the Taos art colony . The town has more than 80 art galleries, and there are several houses of

1560-411: The 14,806 households, 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.3% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 43.0% were non-families, and 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 45.2 years. The median income for a household in

1612-432: The 2010 census Taos had a population of 5,716. The median age was 44. The ethnic and racial composition of the population was 40.1% non-Hispanic white, 0.7% African American, 1% Asian, 5.3% Native American, 0.3% non-Hispanics reporting some other race, 5.4% reporting two or more races and 51.9% Hispanic or Latino of any race. As of the census of 2000, there were 4,700 people, 2,067 households, and 1,157 families residing in

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1664-529: The American flag is displayed continuously at Taos Plaza (both day and night). This derives from the time of the American Civil War , when Confederate sympathizers in the area attempted to remove the flag. The Union officer Kit Carson sought to discourage this activity by having guards surround the area and fly the flag 24 hours a day. Anton Docher , the "Padre of Isleta", first served as

1716-474: The Comanches. Between 1780 and 1800, Don Fernando de Taos (now simply Taos) was established. Between 1796 and 1797, the Don Fernando de Taos land grant gave land to 63 Spanish families in the Taos valley. It was built as a fortified plaza with adobe buildings and is now a central plaza surrounded by residential areas. Mountain men who trapped beaver nearby made Taos their home in the early 1800s. Mexico ceded

1768-800: The Old West. Nearby, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad provides a ride through the Toltec Gorge and Rocky Mountain passes in an authentic narrow-gauge steam railroad . In the winter, many people come to Taos to ski in the mountains. Nearby Wheeler Peak , at 13,161 feet (4,011 m), is the highest peak in New Mexico. The Taos area has four ski areas – Taos Ski Valley , Red River ski area, Sipapu (ski area) and Angel Fire ski area . Other winter activities include hot air ballooning, horseback riding, snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, ski skating, ice skating, ice fishing and snowmobiling. As of

1820-617: The Rio Fernando del Taos- Rio Pueblo del Taos Watershed. Just to the west of Taos is the Rio Grande Gorge , cutting through the basalt flows of the Taos Plateau volcanic field and crossed by the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge , now a part of U.S. Route 64 . The elevation of the town is 6,969 feet (2,124 m). Just north of Taos is Wheeler Peak , at 13,161 feet (4,011 m), the highest point in New Mexico. Taos has

1872-453: The area are additional alternative and private schools: Chrysalis Alternative School, Sped Discipline, Yaxche Private School, Taos Christian Academy, and San Francisco De Asis School. The Bureau of Indian Education -operated Taos Day School is in nearby Taos Pueblo . Dallas -based Southern Methodist University operates a 295-acre (119 ha) campus at Fort Burgwin in Taos. Albuquerque -based University of New Mexico (UNM) operates

1924-545: The county was Richard Nixon in 1972 by just over 2%. School districts for the county include: The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is featured in the 1994 crime-drama film Natural Born Killers , in the 2007 comedy Wild Hogs , and in the 2009 film Terminator: Salvation . The 2007 film Garbage Warrior documents architect Mike Reynolds who builds Earthships in and around Taos County. 36°34′N 105°38′W  /  36.57°N 105.63°W  / 36.57; -105.63 Taos Plaza The Taos Plaza

1976-416: The county was $ 35,441 and the median income for a family was $ 43,236. Males had a median income of $ 34,245 versus $ 28,325 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 22,145. About 14.5% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 28.3% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over. Taos County is heavily Democratic; the last Republican candidate to win

2028-529: The county. The population density was 15.0 inhabitants per square mile (5.8/km ). There were 20,265 housing units at an average density of 9.2 per square mile (3.6/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 68.7% white, 6.2% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 19.1% from other races, and 4.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 55.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 10.8% were English , 10.3% were German , 9.0% were Irish , and 1.2% were American . Of

2080-442: The county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km ). There were 17,404 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3.1/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 63.77% White , 0.35% Black or African American , 6.59% Native American , 0.38% Asian , 0.12% Pacific Islander , 24.84% from other races , and 3.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 57.94% of

2132-500: The event on Friday evening, followed with the crowning of the Fiestas Queen. The celebration continues with musical and dance performances scheduled on the plaza every hour. Two parades are staged, a children's parade on Saturday and the larger Fiesta Parade on Sunday. Located just north of the Taos Plaza, this street was the location of Governor Charles Bent's home. Governor Bent was scalped and killed by Pueblo warriors during

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2184-474: The greater pueblo-area community. Many of them have modern homes near their fields and live there in the summer months, only staying at their homes within the main North or South pueblo buildings during cooler weather. About 150 people live within the main pueblo buildings year-round. The Taos Pueblo was added as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. Taos was established c.1615 as Don Fernando de Taos , following

2236-509: The population was 34,489. Its county seat is Taos . The county was formed in 1852 as one of the original nine counties in New Mexico Territory . Taos County comprises the Taos, New Mexico Micropolitan Statistical Area . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 2,204 square miles (5,710 km ), of which 2,203 square miles (5,710 km ) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km ) (0.06%)

2288-403: The population. There were 12,675 households, out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.70% were married couples living together, 12.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.80% were non-families. 32.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

2340-401: The population. There were 2,067 households, out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.0% were non-families. 37.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

2392-479: The region to the U.S. in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 after the Mexican–American War . After the U.S. takeover of New Mexico in 1847, Hispanics and American Indians in Taos staged a rebellion, known as the Taos Revolt , in which the newly appointed U.S. Governor, Charles Bent , was killed. New Mexico was a territory of the United States beginning in 1850 and became a state in 1912. For historical reasons,

2444-427: The town. The population density was 874.5 inhabitants per square mile (337.6/km). There were 2,466 housing units at an average density of 458.8 per square mile (177.1/km). The racial makeup of the town was 68.04% White , 0.53% African American , 4.11% Native American , 0.62% Asian , 0.11% Pacific Islander , 21.66% from other races , and 4.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 54.34% of

2496-628: The widespread Pueblo Revolt . After the Spanish Reconquest of 1692, Taos Pueblo continued armed resistance to the Spanish until 1696, when Governor Diego de Vargas defeated the Indians at Taos Canyon. During the 1770s, Taos was repeatedly raided by Comanches who lived on the plains of what is now eastern Colorado . Juan Bautista de Anza , governor of the Province of New Mexico , led a successful punitive expedition in 1779 against

2548-399: Was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.87. In the town, the population was spread out, with 23% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 85 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males. The median income for

2600-400: Was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.98. In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 28.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males. The median income for

2652-427: Was incorporated in 1934. As of the 2021, its population was 6,567. Taos is the county seat of Taos County. The English name Taos derives from the native Taos language meaning "(place of) red willows". Taos is the principal town of the Taos, NM, Micropolitan Statistical Area , which includes all of Taos County. The Taos Pueblo , which borders the north boundary of the town of Taos, has been occupied for nearly

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2704-535: Was killed by Indian rebels during the Taos Revolt . In 1861, during the Civil War , Southern sympathizers repeatedly tore down an American flag flying over the Plaza. Captain Smith Simpson, with the help of Kit Carson , Ceran St. Vrain , and others, guarded the flag 24 hours a day. The United States Congress permitted Taos to fly the flag twenty-four hours a day to commemorate the event. Taos Plaza

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