Taos Inn
by Joe Schofield
Title
Taos Inn
Artist
Joe Schofield
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
"The Living Room of Taos" - The Adobe Bar
The story of the inn begins near the turn of the 19th century, when Dr. Thomas Martin learned Taos was without a physician. In response, he and wife Helen, bought a sprawling adobe near the plaza and he devoted his life to taking care of the locals.
Helen was an artist and sister-in-law of one of the Taos founders. She supported her fellow artists in town by helping found the Taos Society of Artists in the Martins’ dining room in 1912. Later, she offered rental housing to writers and artists.
Doc Martin died in the mid-’30s, the same year the inn, Taos’ only hotel, burned down. Helen bought the property surrounding the courtyard and in 1936 opened the Hotel Martin. It became a favorite watering hole for artists, musicians, politicians and an occasional movie star.
The classic neon Thunderbird sign was installed in 1946 and it is the only neon allowed in the historic district.
Uploaded
May 30th, 2023
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