Taos Pueblo — Attraction in Four Corners States

Her name is Bear. That's the only name she gave us, but I suspect it's just part of her real name. Bear is an active member of the Taos Pueblo tribe. The pueblo school only goes through eighth grade, but she continued through university. She is both intelligent and articulate, and she follows the old ways.

One of her several jobs is to lead tours of the pueblo, and she is a wonderful guide. She interjected personal stories in the tour script to better illustrate life there.

We learned that the pueblo is a matriarchal society: property passes down through the women. She said her grandmother had just recently gifted her a house inside the historic section, and she plans to move into it, without regard for the fact that there is no running water or electricity allowed.

Tours normally begin in the courtyard of the church, but since she doesn't want anything to do with the church we gathered beside the building instead. There was more to that story, and a little prompting got her to spell out the history behind it.

The Spanish introduced Catholicism to the community several centuries ago. In 1847 the US Army attacked the pueblo because it thought it was implicated in the murder of the Taos governor. Most of the tribe retreated to their holy mountain, following the ancestral beliefs. But the church leaders urged them to find refuge in the St. Jerome Church because they would be safe there. Instead, the army destroyed the church and all the people inside.

As Bear was growing up she recognized serious conflict between church beliefs and the ancient tribal beliefs. As in the attack on the church, she said that the tribal beliefs had never failed them like those of the Church. She implied that the church is a bad influence on the community. But she insisted that those who choose either Church or ancient tribal beliefs do not think negatively of the other.

I found Bear to be a thoughtful, fine person I'm glad...

Dwelled for over 1000 years. 😍

Taos Pueblo holds the unique distinction of being the only living Native American community recognized as both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark.

It's an absolutely captivating place to explore, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. Taos Pueblo boasts a rich history, and as you wander through the pueblo, you'll find yourself amidst the actual homes of its residents. There's a $25 admission fee (or $22 for seniors) to gain entry, and taking a guided tour is an option I strongly endorse. The tour provides a deeper understanding of the area's history and culture. It's important to note that the tour guides are volunteers who rely on tips, so it's wise to carry some cash for this purpose.

While meandering through the Pueblo, you'll come across several 'homes' that double as shops where you can acquire jewelry, art, and other souvenirs. Some of these shops accept credit cards, although having a credit card with an imprinted number is essential due to the absence of electricity. The posted opening time is 9:00, and on the day of our visit, the first tour commenced at 9:20. Our guide recommended the early tour, explaining that later in the day, tour buses and larger groups tend to arrive, and the morning hours offer cooler temperatures.

We explored Taos Pueblo in the afternoon, accompanied by my cousins who share a passion for travel and global exploration. It's important to be mindful of the rules about photography within the Pueblo. Always seek permission first, as some areas prohibit photography entirely. Additionally, it's essential to maintain a quiet demeanor and show respect for the...

It was January, 2019, and we drove from Costa Mesa, CA to Taos Ski Valley. (RT 3700 mi) We stayed in Taos (for considerably less than the rooms were at TSV). Our last day we decided to not ski and to visit the Pueblo instead, it was after some snowstorms, so very picturesque. How interesting. I loved the idea if you damaged your outer wall, or if a moose butted it, or if it rained really hard, you just scooped up some mud and patched it. No need for a handyman. (they don't have moose in NM) Listed as one of the "oldest continually inhabited settlements" in North America. People have been living there from the time of the pyramids! Well, at least a long time before the birth of Christ. These people are REALLY REALLY OLD! Even older than me. And they STILL live there! Except today, they have electricity, TVs, and refrigerators. We met one lady who was 3,000 years old, and she said she lived with her mother.

Truthfully, I felt a little odd poking around someone's home, so I made sure to chat with some of the residents, who were pretty friendly if you showed respect for their way of life and some interest in what it was like. But imagine hundreds of tourists a week or even a day in the summer, walking around your apartment house gawking at your patio, or roof, like they had never seen such things before. It would be odd, to say the least. But I believe that the Pueblo is on the National Registry of Historic Places, so when you live there, that is what you get. Kind of like living on the lap of the statue in the Lincoln memorial in DC. BTW, Kit Carson, the legendary frontier scout is buried in Taos, so be sure to stop by to...