Historic Taos Inn
Pawnee Bill definitely partied here (and may have slept here too!).
Categories: Photo Gallery , Westward Home
By: Candy Moulton 04/01/2008
This property, since renamed the Historic Taos Inn, includes several adobe homes, dating from the 1800s, that surrounded a plaza and were once served by a community well. Today, both the surrounding plaza and well are within the Taos Inn lobby, recognized with a fountain surrounded by vertical vigas that rise two-and-a-half stories up to a stained-glass cupola.
Among those likely on hand for the grand opening of Hotel Martin was Gordon William Lillie—Pawnee Bill. Helen had invited the showman, who often spent summers in Taos, to join her and other dignitaries for the June 7, 1936, celebration. Indians from Taos Pueblo entertained her guests by performing songs and dances.
Although no document—such as a signature on a hotel register or lodging receipt—proves he was present, it is known that Pawnee Bill and his wife May were in Taos that summer. Pawnee Bill’s show, begun 120 years ago in 1888, had traveled throughout the U.S. and eventually to Europe, performing in France and Belgium.
While popular, the show was not lucrative and had evolved into a showcase of multicultured people, including Pawnee and Sioux Indians, Mexican cowboys, Arab jugglers and Chinese and Japanese performers, who were all a part of “Pawnee Bill’s Wild West and Great Far East Show.” This show ultimately merged with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West to become “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and Pawnee Bill’s Far East.” As a combined show, it became financially successful until William F. Cody’s business activities led to the demise of the joint venture.
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