Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1890-04-04
THE TAOS VALLEY.
A Country Possessed of Natural Re-
sources-Rioh Lands and
Well Watered.
Sketch of Taos County, Showing the
Many Advantages It Affords
the Homeseeker.

TAOS, n. NJ, April 2, lS90.-Taos
county is situated in the north
central portion of New Mexico and en-
braces an area of nearly 1000 square miles.
Within its borders lies the far-famed Taos
valley, one of the most fertile and pro-
ductive sections in the great west.
NATURAL SCENERY.
Entering the valley, one can not help
being impressed with the natural
beauty of the scenery which greets
the eye in every direction. Per
sons possessing = fondness for the
q uiet and romantic, or for the wild and
grand, can here find natural objects OF
beauty suited to every taste. Theinviting
messs, smooth slopes, level prairies, the
wild and weird cliffs and crass, the majes-
tic peaks, the secluded, half-hidden dells,
the dark mysterious caves and gorges, the
perpetual green on every hand, combine
to form scenery which for its grandeur
and beauty is not surpassed by any on
the continent. To portray the valley in
its true colors, bringing out its Won
lerful natural attractions, would fill vol
umes, yet such a portrayal to persons
upacquainted with the facts would prob
ably be considered poetic extrava-
gance. Aside from these attrac-
tons which nature in her generosity
has SO lavishly bestowed upon this
country are found many objects of his
torical interest, such as ancient Indian
pueplos, adobe palaces and churches,
some of them known to have been built
nearly three centuries ago. There are
many evidences that this lovely valley
was in some prehistoric age covered
by vast sea of water, shells and bon s
peculiar to the marine species having
been found at various places.
COUNTY SEAT.
At Taos, the county seat of Taos coun-
ty, and one OF the Oldest settlements in
the southwest, lies the dust Of the famous
Kit Carson, who many years prior to his
death chose Taos valley as his permanent
home. Taos was made the first port OF
entry for the overland trade established
between Westport Landing, now Kansas
OF q century ago. 1t may be truthfully
said that no section of this continent fur
nshes material worthy Of deeper or more
profound research. The scientist. ma
turalst, geologist, mineralogist, the muses.
and the artists alike will find here objects
to interest them.
HEALTH.
As q santarium Taos county has al
ready gained widespread reputation.
The altitude is about 1000 feet above the
sea level, being a happy medium between
too high and too low. The dryness OF
the atmosphere insures its purity, aud
malaria or miasmatic ievers are unknown.
The air is at all times bracing and refresh
ing, sunshine having full sway 365 days a
year. The climate is one OF the most
equable; the summers are delightful, the
heat never being oppressive owing to the
cool breezes which come down from the
surrounding mountains; while the win
tiers are comparatively mild. Tho raging
storms and billiards. OF the north and
east which cause 30 much loss to stock
and oftentimes human beings are I'M
known here. The water is as pure and
clear as crystal and is found in abun-
dance.
MEDICINAL sPRiN0s.
There are numerous medicinal springs
in the county which are deservedly popular
and universally known in the western
country as remarkable for their health
giving properties. Notably among these
are the Ojo Caliente in the west end of the
county. They are located near an ancient
Indian pueblo, have hotel and bath houses
and are connected by daily stage with
Barranca station on the Denver 4 Rio
Grande railroad, twelve miles distant.
These springs are visited annually by
hundreds of people from the east and
southwest who now sing praises OF New
Mexicos Spa. Analyses OF these waters
show a total Of 2S8.O9 parts in 10000,
divided as follows:
| oouIum ChrUondte. lSo W
editium = ~
non " IL