View into living room

 

Satellite TV

 

Shuttered windows

 

 

Kitchen with sky light

 

 

 

Dividing door open

See more: Wagner A Historic Casita Photos 2nd page

The Wagner Casitas

The Wagner Casitas, as they are known today, are but a small part of the adjoining Casa Romero Compound which encompasses the entire corner of the Taos city block at the intersection of Don Fernando and Padre Martinez Lanes. The half-acre compound consists of the two Wagner Casitas, a small artist studio, a much larger artist studio known as the Chicken Coop, and the main Territorial House.

Collectively the beautifully restored compound is comprised of over 12,000 square feet of living space, most of which is on the National Historic Register. The property is now, and for the first time ever, available for luxury vacation rental as individual units or as a single compound.

The actual land on which the compound is located is part of the original 17,360 acre claim of the Pueblo of Taos, surveyed in 1858 by John W. Garretsen for the United States Congress. At that time the New Mexico Territory was sparsely populated and Taos was home to legendary fur trader and frontiersman Kit Carson.

In 1864 President Abraham Lincoln signed a hand written order granting the General Land Office the authority to parcel out the large claim thus allowing smaller tracts be sold to settlers and developed. Later that year Santiago Martinez acquired the corner for the price of one cow and five pesos.

The Casitas were believed to be constructed by the Martinez family some time around 1875. The walls are made of 18 inch thick adobe mud and are original to the building, as is much of the current structure. Each casita consists of approximately 450 square feet of living space and have a kitchen, bedroom, and living room. Nearly every square inch of the casitas, including walls, floors, ceiling, cabinetry, and furniture have been beautifully painted by local artist Jim Wagner, hence the name Wagner Casitas. A tribute to the artist and his work is documented in the book entitled Jim Wagner of Taos , An American Artist and on display in each casita.

The colorful Wagner Casitas are clearly a one of a kind opportunity to actually live within a beautiful work of art and are located just steps away from renowned art galleries, wonderful restaurants, and the historic Taos Plaza .