Old Town was the first neighborhood in Albuquerque, New Mexico, having been established when the area was settled. This history, along with Old Town Plaza, has become a central feature of the area with numerous shops, galleries, events and restaurants literally and figuratively built around these elements. Doing so has provided residents and visitors with plenty to do, illustrating what it means when an entire neighborhood turns into a monument.
From Old Town to “New Albuquerque” to Old Town Albuquerque
The Spanish colonial villa of Albuquerque was founded in 1706 by Francisco Cuervo y Valdés, whose statue now welcomes visitors coming into Old Town from the north. Like other Spanish colonial settlements, Albuquerque consisted of a central plaza surrounded by houses, government offices, and a church. However, it wasn’t until the late 1700s that a permanent population was established at what would become the Old Town Plaza.
Alburquerque was involved in the Mexican War of Independence, the Mexican-American War and the U.S. Civil War, but through it all remained a small agricultural community. The creation of a railroad depot a few miles away from Old Town changed all of that though. Businesses and institutions moved into this area which became known as “New Albuquerque” and was eventually incorporated as the City of Albuquerque. This area has since become the modern Downtown Albuquerque.
The original town, now called Old Albuquerque, began to decline, but it’s annexation to the city property in 1949 changed things for the better. Eventually, most of the adobe houses were re-purposed into shops, restaurants, and galleries. Old Town Plaza and other historic buildings were preserved, and history associated with the area, such as the two replica M1835 mountain howitzers that are on display at the Plaza, began to be celebrated in an active way.
Old Town has become known for its luminaria displays during the holiday seasons, but these displays are just part of the experiences and events that it provides for both residents and tourists.
Experiencing the History and Culture of Albuquerque
A calendar of events provides both residents and tourists with numerous ways to connect with one another. Live entertainment takes place on the Plaza on Wednesday through Sunday throughout the year. Concerts, scavenger hunts and exhibits are just a few of the events that take place throughout the year. Attractions, activities, tours and more provide visitors with a variety of options.
There are several guided historical tours that visitors can take at any time of day, which range from History Tours that dispel the rumors and myths with authentic information to Ghost Tours that take visitors on an excursion through over 300 years of haunted history. Visitors can search for the lost souls of early residents, Civil War phantoms, spooks, specters, wandering apparitions and over one dozen other ghosts who have made Old Town their eternal home. There are numerous ways to experiences all of this history though.
Five properties in Old Town are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the most significant of which is the San Felipe de Neri Church since it has been proven to date to the Spanish colonial period. There are also five museums located within walking distance to the Old Town area: The Albuquerque Museum of Art & History, The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, The Turquoise Museum, The Rattlesnake Museum as well as Explora Science Center. These museums have benefitted and thrived thanks to the activity and interest that Old Town has generated.
The history and culture of Albuquerque are evident across these places and happenings, all of which has driven the economic opportunities that are helping the area to thrive.
Over 150 Stores and Galleries
A large number of restaurants and shops provide visitors with numerous options. Over 150 stores and galleries that feature unique gifts from the Southwest and around the world are located throughout Old Town.
Products in these shops range from postcards geared toward tourists to jewelry that locals can and do support. Authentic Southwestern pottery, weavings, art and more fill the adobe shops and galleries of historic Old Town, with items that can’t be found anywhere else to draw in both tourists and residents. This sense of authenticity is evident everywhere in Old Town and is centered indirectly on the Old Town Plaza, which is host to many cultural gatherings, local celebrations and paid events.
Gazebo rentals are available, providing stakeholders with a direct source of revenue that can take place throughout the year. Whether they’re free events or concerts that require the purchase of a ticket, these happenings represent just a few of the many economic activities that have enabled growth for the area and for the businesses in it which can be seen with the maps of the city that showcase all of these economic options and opportunities.
This growth is driven by the identity that Old Town has developed as a true monument to and for the area. Doing so has enabled a legacy that is bigger than any single element that has come to define Albuquerque.
Old Town as a Neighborhood and a Monument
Unlike other famous squares and plazas such as Piazza San Marco or the San Fe Plaza, Old Town Albuquerque does not have a central monument or feature that singularly draws the attention of visitors. Old Town Plaza is the central focus of the neighborhood, but with so much culture and history spread across the area, Old Town has become a true monument that is tied to the past and future of Albuquerque in a way that will continue to attract visitors and engage residents.
