La Loma Plaza Historic District

Taos was originally settled in part due to Don Fernando de Taos land grants, which resulted in the construction of the fortified La Loma Plaza,[2] located on a hill west of the central Taos plaza.[3]

To protect themselves from attacks by Plains Indians, such as Comanche, Apache and Utes,[4] the Spanish settlers built homes contiguously with shared common walls[2] and the outer walls were solid adobe. Entrances to the center of the plaza were limited. It is believed that La Loma was settled between 1795 when most Spanish settlers left the protection of the fortified Taos Pueblo to settle in land that is now the town of Taos and before 1846 when New Mexico became a United States provisional government and fortified settlements were less important.[4]

Water was generally supplied by wells. Residents had chickens, pigs, cows and horses that grazed on pastureland between La Loma and the Taos Plaza.[3] The settlers built the San Antonio church in the plaza, which was blessed in October 1876 by Archbishop Lamy. They also helped found the town of Taos. Some of the residents were artists.[2]

Most of the houses within the plaza have been restored.[2]

• La Loma Plaza Inn
• 
  La Loma Plaza Inn, Taos, New Mexico
• 
  La Loma Plaza Inn, Taos, New Mexico
• 
  La Loma Plaza Inn, Taos, New Mexico

• La Loma Plaza
• 
  Road into La Loma Plaza
• 
  Within the plaza and the back of La Loma Plaza
• 
  La Loma Plaza houses on the western side of the plaza
• 
  La Loma Plaza park, which is surrounded by houses

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Taos County, New Mexico

Media related to La Loma Plaza Historic District at Wikimedia Commons