Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs
N 36° 18.334 W 106° 03.122
13S E 405548 N 4018354
One of the oldest health resorts in North America, Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs was once considered a sacred place by the ancestors of the present day Pueblo Indians who inhabited the mesas and valleys surrounding these waters.
Waymark Code: WM1211
Location: New Mexico, United States
Date Posted: 12/20/2006
Views: 14
Through the years, Ojo Caliente has been steeped in myth and legend. Long before the Spaniards described the "hot eye” of a subterranean volcanic aquifer and even before the early native peoples gathered at these ancient springs, the waters have been steadily flowing to the surface. These ancient people, believed to be the ancestors of today’s Tewa tribes, built large pueblos and terraced gardens overlooking the springs. Posi or Poseuinge, “village at the place of the green bubbling hot springs” was home to thousands of people.
Explorer Zebulon Pike, while under arrest in 1807 for exploring New Spain without permission, was marched to Santa Fe and passing through Ojo Caliente he observed “the greatest natural curiosity is the warm springs.”
In 1880, Antonio Joseph, New Mexico's first territorial representative to congress opened the first health spa with over night lodging. Joseph's Ojo included a post office and general store and was a center of activity. Historical ledgers show that Kit Carson purchased supplies at the store.
Many structures at Ojo span the decades. The recently restored Round Adobe Barn and the hotel are on the National Register of Historic Places. Step back in time at Ojo and enjoy the mystical, soothing waters that continue to draw people to this ancient mecca.
Street address:
50 Los Baños Drive
Ojo Caliente, NM USA
87549
County / Borough / Parish: Taos
Year listed: 1985
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event
Periods of significance: 1850-1874, 1875-1899, 1900-1924, 1925-1949
Historic function: Health Care, Recreation And Culture
Current function: Health Care, Recreation And Culture
Privately owned?: yes
Season start / Season finish: From: 01/01/2006 To: 12/31/2006
Hours of operation: From: 8:00 AM To: 10:00 PM
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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