| What makes it historical? |
Kit Carson’s career as a trapper and mountain man kicked off right here in Taos! He’d been born in Kentucky and apprenticed to a saddle maker, but his ambitions were wilder, taking him on a wagon train west along the Santa Fe Trail! In 1828, he got hired as a trapper on an expedition to California, a career that would define the rest of his life!
Along the way, he married, and lost, his first wife, Wa Ni Beh, to childbirth complications, then married Making Our Road, who divorced him. His third marriage was to Josefa Jaramillo in 1843, and as a wedding gift, he bought her this home, which still stands in place today!
The same year, he met John C. Frémont and joined him on several expeditions in California. He led General Kearny to San Diego during the Mexican-American War in 1846! A Freemason, Federal agent to the Ute and Taos Pueblo tribes, and adopter of three captive Diné children, Mr. Carson also organized the New Mexico volunteer brigade during the Civil War! At the end of the war, he was a Brigadier General! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? |
HERE’S HOW:
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Become a member of the Kit Carson Home & Museum!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
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