90 Years of History

 

Stories Throughout the Years

The Sagebrush Inn & Suites has been a home away from home to travelers and locals for over 90 years. Below are a few stories and anecdotes that share a snip-it from our past.

Stories Throughout the Years at Sagebrush Inn & Suites

For over 90 years, Sagebrush Inn & Suites has been more than just a place to stay—it’s been a place where stories are made. From secret tunnels and legendary guests to wartime history and handcrafted fireplaces, this historic Taos hotel holds a treasure trove of memories that reflect the spirit of the Southwest.

1950s Gambling & Hidden Catacombs

Beneath the original adobe buildings—including the Gorman Room and Cantina—lie a series of catacombs once used to store gambling equipment. In the 1950s, Long John Dunn, a well-known figure in Northern New Mexico, operated illegal gambling halls at Sagebrush Inn, as well as in Eagle Nest and Red River.

Author Max Evans recalled the dramatic FBI raids that targeted Dunn’s operations. The first raid tipped off the others, but the second was a coordinated sweep that shut down all of Dunn’s establishments. At Sagebrush, machines were confiscated and burned, and Dunn blamed Evans for not stopping the authorities.

World War II & the Los Alamos Boys School

During World War II, when the U.S. Army took over the original site of the Los Alamos Boys School for the Manhattan Project, the school temporarily relocated to Sagebrush Inn. This unique chapter in the Inn’s history connects it to one of the most pivotal moments in American science and military history.

There are even stories that Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, later convicted of espionage, frequented The Jug, the bar once located at the Inn. Some accounts claim they were arrested while having drinks there—adding a layer of intrigue to the Inn’s wartime legacy. Handcrafted Fireplaces by Carmen Velarde

A Living Legacy in Taos

From its humble beginnings as a 13-room adobe lodge to its current role as a Southwest destination with 156 guest rooms, Sagebrush Inn & Suites continues to be a place where history lives and stories unfold. Whether you're drawn by its historic architecture, live music, or Southwest cuisine, every visit adds a new chapter to the Inn’s legacy.

Black and white photograph of construction workers working on excavation at a building site in 1930, with mountains in the background. Handwritten note at the top reads "Starting to Excavate Basement April 1930."
A black and white photograph of a person standing on a wooden platform with snow patches, in a rugged, mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks in the background, labeled "Rough/winter + snow - 1930" at the top.
Black and white photo of farmers working on a water pond, with one man raking soil, and a row of bricks in the background, during spring 1930.
Four people, three men and one woman, stand outdoors in front of a vintage automobile. The men are dressed in overalls and hats, with one holding a small container. The woman, sitting on the car's running board, is shaking hands with one of the men.
Historical black and white photograph of women plastering walls in 1930, with men mixing mud. Several workers are on scaffolding and ground level, wearing hats, with construction tools and vehicle nearby.
Photograph of a building with adobe-style architecture, showing wooden beams and small windows, taken on the south side in Fall 1936 after plastering was applied.
Black and white photograph of a building with Adobe-style architecture, featuring rounded edges and small windows. Two people are sitting in front of the building, with plants and rocks in the garden. Handwritten note at the top reads '1930 - South s
Black and white photograph of a southwestern style building with adobe architecture, flat roofs, and wooden beams, labeled '1931 South + West Sides' at the top. The building has multiple levels, with a porch supported by wooden posts, and a backgroun
Black and white photo of a partially constructed building from the 1930s, with a car parked nearby, and handwritten note indicating the location and date.
Black and white photograph of three workers wearing wide-brimmed hats, working on a roof made of clay tiles, with a landscape of mountains and trees in the background, and handwritten note above mentioning the photograph was taken in 1931 at Adobe, a
Black and white photograph of a row of southwestern style houses with flat roofs and rounded edges surrounded by trees and grassy area, under a cloudy sky.
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Black and white photograph of small bottles on a shelf, with two people in the background, taken in a small cocktail room, around 1987 or 1988, during a early day countertop event.
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Black and white photo of a building with modern architecture, trees, and a sign reading 'Sagebrush Inn' out front, in a desert-like setting.
Black and white photograph of a house with windows, trees, and a garden in front. There is a wooden frame supporting shrubs and a small structure on the left side of the image.
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Black and white photo showing a house with adobe-style architecture, surrounded by trees and grass, with a vintage car parked nearby. Another person is walking along a shaded pathway with a striped pattern on the ground and sidewalk bollards.
Black and white photograph of a parade featuring a float labeled 'SAGEBRUSH INN' pulled by donkeys, with a person guiding the animals and a crowd of children and adults watching along the street.
A black and white photo of a couple, a man and a woman, standing outside in front of a building with sunflowers and trees. The man is holding a small dog. The woman is wearing a patterned dress and the man is wearing a suit. The photo is attached to
Two men standing outdoors using surveying equipment, with snow patches on the ground and mountains in the background, in March 1930.

Do you have a story that you would like to share?

We want to hear it! Please fill out the form below or call us at 800.428.3626 to get in touch.