9/13/10

My World - Taos Plaza


Taos Plaza dates to the late 1700s when the Don Fernando de Taos Land Grant was ceded to the settlers from the Taos Pueblo in 1796 by Don Fernando de Chacon, Governor of New Mexico.


Taos Plaza served for decades as the central meeting place in the valley and survived numerous fires that destroyed several older buildings. Most of the buildings around the Plaza are old; however, since Taos has always been plagued by fires, none of the Plaza's buildings predate the 19th century. The covered gazebo was donated by heiress and longtime Taos resident Mabel Dodge Luhan.

Taos Plaza has the distinction of being the first place in the United States, by tradition, to fly the United States Flag both day and night.


In 1861, Southern sympathizers repeatedly tore down the flag flying over the Plaza. Captain Smith Simpson with the help of Kit Carson, Ceran St. Vrain, and others nailed the flag to a tall cottonwood pole and raised it over the Plaza, with the threat that anyone who molested the flag would be shot. 


To assure it was not torn down, the group went to St. Vrain's nearby store and took turns standing guard over the flag day and night. Since the flag was nailed to the cottonwood, it could not be lowered at dark.


When military officials in Santa Fe learned of the incident, they permitted Taos to fly the flag twenty-four hours a day. Congress later granted official permission to fly the flag at Taos Plaza round-the-clock, only one of a few places in the country to do so. (History courtesy of Wikipedia)


We enjoyed a delicious outdoor lunch just off the Plaza at the Bent Street Cafe, situated in a popular shopping street.


This whole area is a tourist shopping mecca, although as with many of these places you have to sort the chinese imports from the genuine articles!


Every side street is not only picturesque, but offers a good selection of shopping and eating choices, or just somewhere to rest weary feet!


There are some really gorgeous courtyard gardens with prestigious art galleries and jewelry stores overlooking them.


And every building in the town centre is constructed in the Adobe style of the area.


There are also colourful murals to catch the eye. We spent the afternoon soaking it all up and partaking of some shopping - perfection!


And at any given time the foothills of The Rockies are just a glance away.

Next week - the historic Adobe B&B we stayed in.

To see some great sights around the globe or join in the fun, go to My World Tuesday

28 comments:

Michelloui said...

Taos, and the area around it, and up towards Durango, is one of my top favourite places in the whole world. I am GREEN with envy right now, sitting in rainy, windy, autumnal Essex... You lucky, lucky girl! Im looking forward to the B&B--Im hoping to take my family to Taos one day and recommendations are welcomed!

Kay L. Davies said...

New Mexico (including Taos) is one of my must-see places and I can't believe I haven't been there yet. Thanks for the tour.

Kay
Alberta, Canada

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Bellissime !!!!!

Sylvia K said...

I love Taos! And your photos are superb! And thanks for the history! I knew most of it, but it's always fun and interesting to read again! Hope you have a wonderful week!

Sylvia

EG CameraGirl said...

I think I need to go to Santa Fe!

Kay said...

This is too, too wonderful, Sarah! We had such a wonderful time when we visited our son in New Mexico and he took us there. Your photos are spectacular and the information you learned is fascinating, none of which I was familiar with.

Jill of All Trades said...

I haven't been to Taos since I was about 14. Now Durango, we took the girls there and Silverton about 24 years ago. I saw it all from the floorboard of the front seat. Don't do heights well at all. Beautiful area, what I saw of it. LOL

Pam said...

Such a beautiful area and thanks for the interesting history lesson too! Definitely love that part of the world and we never make the time to head that way. Oh, and hi there hubster!!!!

Sherri said...

Taos is a lovely town and it sounded like you and your hubby had a great time there! Can't wait to see the B&B you stayed in!

Jim said...

Great shots and that bench is awesome.

Carver said...

I've never been to New Mexico and your photographs are adding to my desire to go there. I've always heard how beautiful it was. Great post. Interesting history as well as the wonderful shots.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Gorgeous place, Sarah. I went to Sante Fe in about 1986 ---and I remember women sitting on blankets all around the square selling their jewelry. Bet Santa Fe is as modern looking as Taos now....

Can't wait to see your B&B....

Thanks for taking us on your trip to Taos..
Hugs,
Betsy

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Very, very, very cool post. You captured the town perfectly. Its been years since we've been there.

When my parents still lived in Albuquerque one of the things my Mother and I did when I came home for Christmas was to drive up to Taos and have lunch. Taos during the holidays is beautiful.

Mom Mayhem says: said...

Lovely scenery - Looks like a great trip!

George said...

Thanks for the tour of the Taos Plaza. I knew there was a great deal of history associated with Taos, but I didn't know the story about the flag.
You got some great pictures.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful place - love the colours and the murals and my, those gorgeous benches!

Rajesh said...

Beautiful place. Even though so old, looks as good as new.

Midwest to Midlands said...

Looks like a great time.

Joe Todd said...

Great photos and what an interesting place. I'm going to have to plan a trip West

Random Treasures said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Random Treasures said...

It is interesting how human beings used to build structures matching their surroundings. Just like the buildings in NM that matches the brown sand around. In many parts of the world, that beauty is gone. Beautiful pictures of Taos. Thanks for sharing

Daryl said...

Fabulous photos and another place I want to visit .. and I will; crossing them off one at a time .. next up Las Vegas in mid Oct.

Anonymous said...

Loving this visit. Thanks for letting me tag along.

Anonymous said...

My cousin/godson is a dentist in Albuquerque and is thriving financially. His house is very beautiful with a fountain and courtyard in front of it. Hi eldest son attends U of New Mexico and also plans to become a dentist.

Would love to see Taos, which I am told is an enclave for artists and writers.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Sarah: Wonderful trip through the neat plaza, great photos showing the SE design.

Pat said...

I didn't know any of this about Taos--very interesting. It looks like a fun place to visit and shop!

Gaelyn said...

I really do need to visit Taos. Looks like you had a great trip. Look forward to seeing more of this mini vacation.

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