The Martinez Hacienda is the best-preserved Spanish colonial hacienda in the United States, and one of the most interesting historical sites in the Taos area. The thick-walled adobe compound was built around 1804 as both home and trading post for the prominent Martinez family, who were key figures in the trade along the Camino Real between Taos and Chihuahua.
The hacienda is organised around two interior courtyards — a defensive design that allowed the compound to be sealed against raids. The 21 rooms hold furniture, tools, and everyday objects from the early 19th century, and guides can explain the economic and social life of a wealthy New Mexican family in the years just before American annexation. The annual Taos Trade Fair, held here in September, recreates the historic gathering of mountain men and Pueblo traders that made Taos a significant commercial centre.