A Brief History of Taos

Taos County has a multicultural history which is diverse and reaches back at least 8,000 years with evidence of prehistoric settlement sites through Spanish exploration and colonization. Taos is unique and distinct in the history of New Mexico and the United States. It is one of the longest continuously inhabited regions in the country.

The "Old Spanish Trail" was used by Mexican and US traders from about 1829 to 1848 to bring goods from New Mexico to California and back. The multiple routes of the trail followed paths established by the Utes and other tribes for many years.  Taos history is filled with colorful characters who helped make Taos what it is today. From trappers and traders to wealthy heiresses, remittance men, legendary artists, and far-sighted entrepreneurs.

Now a  thriving tourist destination, Taos is one of the most popular locations in New Mexico. It is the beauty, the culture, the people that make Taos and Northern New Mexico the Land of Enchantment. Seated on the high-desert mesa at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos is rich with art and steeped in history. Home to Taos Pueblo, the Village of Taos Ski Valley and a colorful array of surrounding communities