The Taos Pueblo Cemetery (Taos, NM)
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The Taos Pueblo Cemetery
The first location for the original San Geronimo Church that was built in 1619 by Spanish priests with Indian labor, where they forced the people of the Taos Pueblo into Catholicism and slavery in order to become “civilized”. This is what led into what is called the “Pueblo revolt of 1680″. The Taos Pueblo was the prominent headquarters for the revolt which was led by Pope. After the revolt, the Pueblo people of New Mexico lived freely until the re-conquest by the Spanish in the 1700s. By 1706 the church was reconstructed. (Taos Pueblo introductory brochure)
A hundred years later, conflicting new reign was upon the cultures of New Mexico with the increase of settlers, as well as, the US Government for the southwest. Charles Bent then governed the territory known today as New Mexico and Arizona. He represented the US Government for this area that was once presided over by Spanish and Mexican Governments. He dwelt in Taos during this time when the US War with Mexico was taking place. 1847 there was an effort to overthrow the US Government, the local town people, and a few natives slew Bent. In retaliation for his death, the US Army came to find those responsible for his death. They took several Taos Pueblo leaders to the town plaza and hung them. The US Troops destroyed the San Geronimo church leaving only the bell tower standing. Many lives were lost in the Church and that is when it became the cemetery. Miraculously, the Santos were gathered and safe housed in the inner core of the North House by native women. (Taos Pueblo introductory brochure)
