Taos' Labyrinths

The powerful and transformative experience of labyrinths are now available at seven locations here in Taos, and at hundreds of places in New Mexico.

Labyrinth at the private event center at Blackstone Ranch

Pam and Charles Montgomery have created both formal and informal labyrinths at the San Geronimo Lodge on Witt Road off Kit Carson, east of town. Entrances to both the formal labyrinth and the informal one—which they call a “Prayer Path”—are just inside the San Geronimo gates on the right. Parking is shortly beyond the entrance to the paths. The formal labyrinth is beautiful, with gravel paths and riverrock stone walls that were lovingly placed by members of the family at this summer’s family reunion. The prayer path winds around the property in no formal organization and has 14 stations for rest and inspiration, each with a theme. The last 15 yards or so are lined with prayer rocks marked with the families’ prayers for both the living and the dead. Walking the Prayer Path is a creative and extraordinary experience that unfolds differently for each person.

Lost treasures - Buildings removed as Contributing Structures of the Taos National Register Historic District

During a project redocumenting the Taos Historic District in 2011, several buildings were removed from listing as Contributing Structures to the historic district by the NM State Historic Preservation Office because of renovations that rendered their historic facades no longer  authentic. It is worth sharing here to help our readers avoid having their own buildings delisted.

The buildings no longer considered "authentically historic" include:

New Mexico's Neon

The town of Taos Historic Preservation Commission is considering requesting an ordinance which would allow neon signs in the historic district. Here are some of our favorite examples of neon signs from around the state and some of the information which would be needed to know if these are a viable option for Taos.

First, a little history: neon use in New Mexico dates from the Route 66 era of the 1940s and 1950s and is mostly found in highway cities like Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Las Vegas. Taos was NOT a highly neon-ified area during the period. At most, Taos may have had 10 neon signs, unlike Albuquerque and its Route 66 hotels along Central Avenue, which must have numbered in the hundreds. So we take a chance on creating a false history. But, that is not entirely atypical for Taos. Our plaza is also a "reimagined" plaza, as we have talked about before.

That notwithstanmding, there's a great opportunity here, especially if we embrace what's NEW about custom neon as well as the designs of old.

Here are just a few of our favorite examples of neon found in New Mexico.

  

Route 66 in Taos? well, sort of

Really, during the heyday of Route 66 in New Mexico, from the late 1930's to the 1960s, the best of Americana was thought to be found on the way to LA through New Mexico. Taos, as she had for 200 years before, was a pilgrimage. Many people made it, but when they arrived they found a break from the neon highway. Taos danced to the beat of her own drum, so the style of Americana architecture and neon signs mostly avoided her. the last homages of the era can be seen in four places about town. (directions omitted to add to the quality of the victory when discovered)

The former plaza drug store's aluminum facade

 The Taos Inn Neon Sign

The El Pueblo Lodge Sign

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Okay neighbors, what's missing? ; )
(yes, its a test..)

Taos Historic District Acequias

The acequias of Taos are one of our greatest cultural treasures. The acequias tell the history of our agricultural community - how it evolved and grew as a response to its physical and cultural environment - and they act as a gauge of our health as a community today. The functionality of the acequias can make or break our farming community by dictating whether local crops will be available in summer and fall, they make available different water-loving species of plants that can be used in folk medicines, they provide a habitat for a great many species of birds, insects and animals... and more than that, the acequias help to recharge our aquifer and protect our structures from storm flooding.

GPS Mapping expeditions conducted by Archinia and our team in 2011 on the 4 major acequias in the historic district indicated the total length of the major arteries as  19684.3 lf = 3.79 miles. Those arteries, and their unique characteristics are: 

The REAL Taos Downtown

One of the more ironic aspects of Taos is that we like to talk about how Santa Fe is so fake, being an intentionally designed city and all...
What many people don't realize is that the Taos Plaza is JUST as contrived, only its somewhat more accidental.  A fire in 1932 burned our beautiful and unique plaza, which had buildings from all styles and periods in it. Here's what Taos USED to look like...

Oh My! Bigfoot's alive and well in Taos!

Bigfoot left his/her mark in the Taos Historic District! His toes are so big that each padprint is big enough to hold a picnic table!

Streets of Taos

Did you know that the streets of Taos have new names? 

It’s true! Here are the streets, as they are and once were…

Modern Name / Historic Name(s)                                                                             

(The alley in front of the Alley Cantina) / Juan Largo Lane (1929) / H Street (1908)

(Alley Grahams is on) / Luna (1929) / B Street (1908)

(Street in front of Reneux) / Camino del Santa Fe (1929)

Bent Street / Bent Lane (1929) / G Street (1908)

Camino de la Placita / Camino de la Placita (1929) / E Street (1908)
Civic Plaza Drive / Armory

Des Georges / Des Georges (1929)

Don Fernando / Camino de la Loma (1929) / I Street (1908)

Dona Luz  / Guadalupe (1929)

Dragoon / Kit Carson Lane (1929)

Kit Carson / Camino del Canon (1929) / J Street (1908)

La Posta / Once considered part of Cruz Alta 
Ledoux / Camino de Bouvien (1929)

Padre Martinez Lane / Martinez Lane (1929) / F Street (1908)

Paseo del Pueblo Norte / Camino del Pueblo (1929) / A Street (1908)

Paseo del Pueblo Sur / Santa Fe Road (1950s) / Camino del Santa Fe (1929)

Quesnel / Camino del Molino (1929)

Ranchitos Road / Camino del Ranchito (1929) / K Street (1908)

Teresina / Scheurich Lane (1929) / D Street (1908)

Upper Ranchitos /  the Placitas’ Cordovas Road

Valverde / Middle Road