Taos County | US Courthouses

Taos County is named after the ancient Indian Pueblo which the Spanish explorers found when they arrived in the area in the 16th century.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Conejos County, Colorado and Costilla County, Colorado

E – Colfax County and Mora County

S – Mora County and Rio Arriba County

W – Rio Arriba County

Created: January 9, 1852

County Seat:

Taos 1852 – present

County Courthouse – Taos

Location: 105 Albright Street / Passeo Del Pueblo Sur

Built: 2009 – 2011

Style: Modern

Architect: AECOM

Contractor: H B Construction of Albuquerque

Description: The building faces west and is are a complex of two story yellow colored stucco and concrete structures. The complex is located on spacious grounds and is a complex of three two story structures to the south on the center of Taos. At the center is the Courthouse, on the south is the Administration Building and on the north is the Detention Building. The Courthouse has a white colored one story portico. The interior has a high central atrium. The courtroom is located on the second story. The buildings are named as the Taos County Administrative, Detention and Judicial Complex. The building houses the District Court and Magistrate Court of the 8th Judicial District.

Former County Courthouse – Taos

Location: 105 Albright Street / Passeo Del Pueblo Sur

Built: 1978 – 1979

Style: Modern

Architect: H R Benson, W A Mingenbach and A C Sanchez

Contractor: La Mesa Builders, Inc.

Description: The buildings faced east and was a complex of one to two story yellow colored stucco and concrete structures. The Court House was located on landscaped grounds to the south of the center of Taos. The building had a straight wall design with yellow colored stucco walls, brown trim and large glass windows on the second story. Walkways and trees were between the buildings. The complex has now been demolished.

Old County Courthouse – Taos

Location: 104 North Plaza / camino de Santa Fe

Built: 1932 – 1934

Style: Spanish-Pueblo Revival

Architect: Louis G Hesselden

Contractor: L H Bovis

Description: The building faces south and is a two story cream yellow colored stucco, wood and concrete structure. The building is located on the north side of the Taos Plaza in the center of Taos. The south front has a recessed porch on the first story with central entrance. Below the roof line are logs which project from the building. The roof line is flat. The former courtroom is located on the second story and now houses the murals painted by Emil Bisttram. On the first story is the old jail with jail cells.

History: The first courthouse was crude jail and structure erected between 1830 and 1844 on the plaza in Taos. The county was created in 1852 and Taos was selected as the county seat. The second courthouse was a one story structure built on the north side of the plaza in 1880. The courthouse burned in the fire of May 9, 1932. The third courthouse was constructed in 1932 to 1934 and is still standing. The fourth courthouse was constructed in 1978 to 1979. The fifth and present courthouse was constructed in 2009 to 2011.

Note: The highest point in New Mexico is Wheeler Peak at 13,167 feet ( 4013 meters ) which is located in the county.