National Register Listing

Taos Pueblo

3 mi. N of Taos, Taos, NM
Taos Pueblo, like all of the pueblos, is visible, tangible evidence of Native American occupation and development in the American Southwest. Taos Pueblo exemplifies the tenacity of the Puebloan people in successfully adapting to centuries of change in their natural and social environments. In the Taos Valley, Taos Pueblo is the final site of an indigenous puebloan Indian occupation reaching back to at least AD 900. The earliest phase of the Puebloan Period identified in the Taos Valley is called the Valdez Phase. This phase is dated to ca. AD 900 - 1200 on the basis of ceramic cross-dating of Taos Black/White, a mineral painted ware (Wetherington 1968; Green 1976). Sites from this phase consist of pithouses and pithouse villages with associated work areas and/or rooms of jacal and adobe construction (Cordell 1978:36; Woosley 1980:8). Apparently contemporaneous are villages of surface adobe roomblocks (Woosley 1980:8). The next phase in the Taos Valley is the Pot Creek Phase, dated to AD 1200 - 1250 by the presence of Santa Fe Black/White, a carbon painted ware, and a few tree-ring dates (Cordell 1978:37). This phase is characterized by population aggregation in numerous small "unit pueblos", some with kivas. Examples have been recorded in the Arroyo Seco, Arroyo Hondo, Taos, Arroyo Miranda, and Rio Grande de Ranchos-Pot Creek areas, although only three such sites have been excavated. The Talpa Phase is dated to AD 1250 - 1350 by the presence of Talpa Black/ White. During this phase, population aggregation continued, apparently at the expense of the earlier smaller pueblos, although pithouses were still being occupied. The phase is known only from excavations at Pot Creek Pueblo, a large site first inhabited during the Pot Creek Phase which grew to perhaps 800 ground-floor rooms during the Talpa Phase. This trend of population aggregation and site growth may have set the stage for the establishment of the large pueblos of Cornfield Taos and Old Picuris. The end of the phase is established by the abandonment of Pot Creek Pueblo, which Wetherington (1968) assumes to have occurred about AD 1350 because neither Biscuit nor Glaze ceramics are present at the site.
Local significance of the district:
Native American; Military; Politics/government

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

The first European to visit what is now New Mexico was likely Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish explorer who traveled through the region in the early 16th century. However, it was not until the arrival of Juan de Oñate in 1598 that the Spanish established a permanent settlement in the area.
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 concise overview of the key events in the history 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.