Historical Marker

Captive Women and Children of Taos County and María Rosa Villapando (ca. 1725–1830)


Side 1
In August 1760, around sixty women and children were taken captive in a Comanche raid on Ranchos de Taos. That raid is an example of the danger of living on New Mexico’s frontier during the 17th and 18th centuries, for Hispanic and Indigenous communities alike, raided each other and suffered enormous consequences. Thousands of women and children were taken captive. Most were never returned.
Side 2
One known captive of this raid, María Rosa Villapando was traded to the Pawnees and, after ten years, was ransomed by her future husband, a French trader from St. Louis. She was reunited with her New Mexican son, Joseph Julian Jaques in 1802. Her grandson, Antoine Leroux, returned to Taos and married into the Vigil family, making her the ancestral matriarch of several prominent Taos families

The Historic Women Marker Initiative of 2007 captured the public’s imagination. It has received international attention for its ambitious goal of telling women’s history in New Mexico on some of the state’s 650 Official Scenic Historic Markers. Before 2007, perhaps three markers mentioned women at all.

The lives of the only known female Buffalo solider, one of the world’s most famous artists, and unsung heroes like Sally Rooke who gave her life at her switchboard warning Folsom’s citizens of a wall of water approaching their town are honored on 75 women’s history markers.

The first phase of the Initiative concluded in 2010. Ten more markers were installed in 2015 and an additional 25 are expected to bring their numbers to an even 100 in the coming years. The program is a partnership of the New Mexico Women’s Forum, HPD, CPRC, New Mexico Department of Transportation, and the public. The 2006 legislature made the initial 65 historic markers possible.

Like all state historic markers, the women’s history markers are designed in the Park Service Rustic style adopted when the program began in 1935. What’s different is their perspective of New Mexico history.

In the early 1800s, New Mexico became an important center for trade along the Santa Fe Trail, which connected Missouri to Santa Fe. The trail was used by traders, trappers, and settlers to transport goods and supplies across the frontier.
New Mexico random facts
Taos County, New Mexico, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area has been inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Taos Pueblo, for centuries. The Taos Pueblo is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States, with roots that can be traced back over a thousand years.

In the early 16th century, Spanish explorers arrived in the region, led by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado. They sought to claim the land for Spain and spread Christianity. The Spanish influence remained strong, and the region eventually came under Mexican rule after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821.

The history of Taos County took a dramatic turn during the mid-19th century with the arrival of American settlers. In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War, ceding the land to the United States. This led to an influx of Anglo-American settlers, who clashed with the indigenous population, resulting in conflicts such as the Taos Revolt of 1847.

The 20th century brought increased tourism to Taos County, thanks to its stunning natural landscapes, including the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Rio Grande Gorge, and the Taos Ski Valley. The county also became an artistic and cultural hub, attracting renowned artists like Georgia O'Keeffe and D.H. Lawrence. Today, Taos County is celebrated for its multicultural heritage, scenic beauty, and vibrant arts scene.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Taos County, New Mexico.

  • 1795: Taos County established as one of the original nine counties in New Mexico.
  • 1847: U.S. Army troops, led by Colonel Sterling Price, occupy Taos County during the Mexican-American War.
  • 1848: Taos County becomes part of the territory of New Mexico after the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
  • 1873: Taos County Courthouse, which still stands today, is constructed in the town of Taos.
  • 1898: Taos Pueblo is designated a National Historic Landmark, recognizing its cultural significance as one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States.
  • 1924: The Taos Society of Artists is established, bringing attention and recognition to the area as an important art community.
  • 1930: D.H. Lawrence, the famous English author, settles in Taos and writes "The Plumed Serpent" based on his experiences in the region.
  • 1965: The Taos Ski Valley opens, attracting tourists and establishing Taos County as a popular winter sports destination.
  • 1992: UNESCO designates Taos Pueblo as a World Heritage Site, recognizing its outstanding universal cultural value.