Image above: San Felipe de Neri Church on a postcard from 1898, Detroit Publishing Company. Courtesy Wikipedia Commons.
Spotlight on Lesser Known History
Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico
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America's Best History Spotlight
On this page we're going to Spotlight the lesser known historic sites and attractions that dot the history landscape across the USA and are worth a visit if you're in their area. And while they may be lesser known, some are very unique, and will be that rare find. You'll be, at times, on the ground floor, or maybe even know something others don't. It'll be fun. Visit them.
Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico
For those sauntering through the southwest of the United States, you're often transported to those Arizona and New Mexico national parks as the reason why you're traveling. But, there are some interesting spots on that trail that are worth the visit. One of those is the Old Town District of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ten blocks of the original town site founded by the Spanish in 1706 have been restored and made a historic district. There are bed and breakfasts to stay at, churches reaching back to 1793 to visit, and a vibe that brings back the era of the old Spanish, Mexican, and American southwest of the past, all while being located in today's Albuquerque. Photo above: Stereograph of Old Town Albuquerque Square and Spanish Church, 1906. Courtesy Library of Congress.
Info, What's There Now, History Nearby
Old Town Albuquerque
It's old Spanish, this ten block area with its one and two story buildings and Old Town Plaza. There are restaurants, shops, the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, plus walking tours and historic buildings aplenty. Most of the historic buildings were constructed later than its origin in 1706, the majority between 1870 and 1900. The exception is the beautiful church (picture of its rectory above), San Felipe de Neri, which was built during the Spanish era in 1793. It has been used ever since. This church replaced a 1706 structure that collapsed the previous winter and had been run by Franciscan missionaries. First baptism, June 26, 1706 by Fray Manuel Moreno, an original settler. The Franciscans departed in 1817.
Today, the houses are still inhabited, with many buildings repurposed into galleries, shops, and restaurants. There are one hundred and fifty shops to peruse through and secret alleyways and gardens to discover while you gander at the five National Historic Register buildings. There's also live entertainment at the Gazebo.
Photo above: Rectory of San Felipe de Neri Church in Old Town, 2012. Courtesy Wikipedia Commons.
Where Is It
Old Town Albuquerque is located two miles west of the center of today's Albuquerque. Albuquerque itself is now a large metropolitan city, largest in New Mexico, with over five hundred thousand residents. The Rio Grande River runs through it. One address that can be used for Old Town is 424 San Felipe St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104. To get there from downtown by the most direct route, take Mountain Road NW (West) to San Felipe Street. From your specific location, check you favorite online map program or GPS.
What is There Now
Old Town plaza with a plethora of restaurants, shops, and galleries. There are walking tours of the area by the Museum of Art and History from March to November, plus other tour concessionaires, and there's the Museum of Art and History. The five historic register buildings are the San Felipe de Neri Church (1793), Salvado Armijo House (1840), Our Lady of the Angels School (1878), Antonio Vigil House (1879), and the Charles Bottger House (1912).
When is Old Town open and How Much to Visit?
Old Town is open year round with different times for various establishments. The Albuquerque Museum of Art and History is open Tuesday through Sunday; its prices range from $3-$6 with some additional charges for special exhibits. Prices subject to change without notice.
Websites
Old Town Albuquerque
Visit Old Town Albuquerque
Albuquerque Museum
History Nearby
Within Albuquerque itself, there's the New Mexico Museum of National History and Science, the Explora Science Center, the University of New Mexico, and Petroglyph National Monument. Not far afield are the national parks of White Sands National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns, Bandelier National Monument, and Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, amongst others.
Photos, History, and More Spotlights
History of Albuquerque
Founded in 1706 by Spanish Governor Francisco Cuervo y Valde's, the settlement counted two hundred and fifty-two residents when the origins of the Old Town section was established with farmland surrounding. It's said that the Governor actually exaggerated the amount of settlement, but that's a centuries old quibble. The settlement was typically Spanish with a plaza, government buildings, houses, and a church. The settlement grew slowly, with the population centered on their farms instead of the plaza until the late 1700's. In 1821, Albuquerque became part of Mexico, its independence won from Spain. In 1846, it became part of the United States, a spoil of the Mexican-American War. By 1860, one thousand six hundred and eight people called it home.
When the railroad came to Albuquerque, it constructed the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe depot two miles east of the Old Town, starting its decline as New Albuquerque sprang up around the railroad. By the 1930's, almost all business, including the County Courthouse had moved from Old Town to New Town.
Photo above: Original site of the city, 1943, John Collier, Jr., U.S. Office of War Information. Courtesy Library of Congress.
Old Town Now
Start your visit at the Information Center off Rio Grande Boulevard west of the Plaza or head straight for the Old Town Plaza itself. The San Felipe de Neri Church is on the northern side of the plaza. Parking is available in three main areas; Northwest off Rio Grande Boulevard, Southwest-Central off Central Avenue (Route 66), and the large area East off 19th Street near the Sculpture Gardens.
Various tours are available, including a daily History Walking Tour, ABQ Trolley Tour that takes you to Old Town and other Albuquerque sites, and there's a nightly Ghost Tour. And if you just want to stroll around the Old Town area, that's great, too. You'll find more than a few interesting shops and places to eat in some of the most unique places.
For the cultural side of the equation past the Albuquerque Museum, check out the Casa Flamenca for dance practice, err performances, the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, and the Turqoise Museum.
Photo above: Plaza of Old Town Albuquerque, 1908, Detroit Publishing Company. Courtesy Library of Congress.
Photo above: Tingley Beach in Old Town near the Rio Grande River. Courtesy Wikipedia Commons.
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