Taos

Basic Information

Type of Place

Independent City or Town

Metro Area

Politics c. 1860?

Unions, Organized Labor?

Sundown Town Status

Sundown Town in the Past?

Surely

Was there an ordinance?

Don't Know

Sign?

Don’t Know

Year of Greatest Interest

Still Sundown?

Surely Not

Census Information

The available census data from 1860 to the present

	Total	White	Black	Asian	Native	Hispanic	Other	BHshld
1860
1870
1880
1890
1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020

Method of Exclusion

• Other

Main Ethnic Group(s)

• Unknown

Group(s) Excluded

• Black

Comments

In 1932, a black man was wrongfully executed for the
rape and murder of a young Hispanic woman in Santa
Fe. “By the end of the following week, the tiny black
community of Taos, a total of eight men and women,
had been ordered to leave town within 24 hours. A
‘Vigilance committee,’ formed after several young
Spanish women were seen frequenting a black-owned
speakeasy, had given the group until 9PM to be gone
or they would be forcibly removed…” A group of Taos
citizens sent an anonymous note to a local black
restaurant owner stating “Niggers Get Out and Get
Quick This is to inform you and your associates and
all people of your race, that your presence in Taos or
Taos County is no longer desired. To make it more
plain, we warn all colored people to leave Taos within
24 hours.” Both the sherriff and his deputy helped
escort the restaurant owner and several other blacks
across the city line. The editor of the local paper noted
“We want no Negro residents here, as it is well realized
that if they purchase property, and make homes in
Taos, that all living on adjoining lots will be placed in
a position most grave, and their property will be of
absolutely no value.”

Taos, NM, has joined The Inclusive Communities Partnership of the National League of Cities.