A B O U T T H E W E S T P A R K N E I G H B O R H O O D

W E S T PA R K

N E I G H B O R H O O D T O U R

1-2 MILES

A tiny residential area sandwiched between the Albuquerque County Club, historic Route 66 and the Rio Grande, the West Park Neighborhood is an eclectic mix of singlefamily homes, duplexes, and courtyard apartments. A variety of architectural styles, including bungalows, SW Vernacular and Moderne, contribute to the fabric of small scale buildings. Unexpected, quirky details surprise the observant walker. Retrofits and additions have altered original buildings. As in other neighborhoods close to downtown, infill development is occurring. This unusual neighborhood is within walking distance of several favorite Albuquerque attractions, including the BioPark, Tingley Beach, the Rio Grande and Old Town along historic Route 66.
ALBUQUERQUE NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOUR SERIES

W A L K A B I L I T Y

This well-shaded neighborhood has lots of eyes on the street. Missing curb ramps make it difficult for wheelchairs or baby strollers to use the sidewalks, but the neighborhood streets have low traffic volumes. The Route 66 Walk has little shade and is along a busy section of Central Avenue. Poor sidewalks, missing curb ramps, and other obstacles make this a challenging route. Central Avenue should be crossed at signalized intersections.

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H I S TO R Y
Most of the housing in this neighborhood was built in the 1930s and 1940s after the creation of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD). MRGCD built dams upstream on the Rio Grande (which reduced flooding), and drains which made previously swampy valley land suitable for both agriculture and development. This area was platted with the New Country Club Addition in the late 1920s, but wasnt formally annexed to the City of Albuquerque until 1949. Central Avenue was originally named Railroad Avenue, from 1880 until 1907, and carried the horse-drawn and electricpowered streetcars that connected Old and New Albuquerque. In 1937, Central became part of Route 66 as it passed through Albuquerque on its way from Chicago to Los Angeles. Tourist courts with colorful neon signs opened along the route. When the El Vado Motel opened in 1936, Albuquerque Progress reported that it offered swanky tile cabin suites ready for the summer tourist trade. A few motels and neon signs remain from this era, but some, like the El Vado Motel, face an uncertain future.
Albuquerque Little Theater, 1940, #82.180.084, photographer was Wyatt Davis, collection of Ward Hix, Donor, John Airy, photo of mural by Dorothy Steward, WPA project. The Albuquerque Museum.
Slow down & Its not only the scenery you miss by going too fast you also miss you the sense of

enjoy life.

are going and

Eddie Cantor

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WEST PARK NEIGHBORHOOD WALKS

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ALBUQUERQUE COUNTRY CLUB

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RR Rapid Ride Stop

Route 766

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T O U R 8. 200 block of Gallup SW. Note expansive roof deck addition at 207 Gallup SW, modern townhouse by local architect, Isaac Benton, at 204 Gallup SW, and art house, art cars, tree house, shoe trees, and other fanciful details at 201 Gallup SW. WALK WEST (LEFT) ON NEW YORK. 9. 2300 block of New York. Bungalow with stone veneer at 2304 New York SW, historic apartments at 2309 and 2311 New York SW, and filagree Kandy and Rose gate at 2313 New York SW. HEAD BACK EAST ON NEW YORK. 10. 2200 block of New York Street. This block has several examples of Southwest Vernacular style 2213 New York SW was built in approximately 1935; 2209 New York SW, Adobe Plaza Apartments, built approximately 1940-45; 2207 and 2205 New York SW, built approximately 1938-41; 2204 New York SW with Puebloesque details, built approximately 1938-40; 2203 New York SW, built approximately 1935. 11. 2100 block of New York Street. 2116 New York SW Southwest Vernacular style, built approximately 1937; 2112 and 2112 New York SW, bungaloid style, built approximately 1925 to 1930; 2110 New York SW, Moderne style; 2104 New York SW, remodeled Queen Anne style, built approximately 1915 - 1920; 2102 New York SW, Southwest Vernacular style, built approximately 1940-45. 12. 2034 Willis Place SW. New Mexico Vernacular style with metal pitched roof built sometime in the 1920s.

1 MILE LOOP Begin at San Pascuale and Chacoma, south of Central. 1. 224 San Pasquale SW, Albuquerque Little Theatre. This territorial style building has had several eclectic additions since it was built in 1936. The architect, John Gaw Meem, was hired by patron Ruth Hanna McCormick Simms. Walk west on Chacoma Place. 2. Historic Albuquerque Country Club and Golf Course. In 1928, the Country Club moved from its original building near the University of New Mexico to its present location in the Huning Castle Addition. 3. 400 block of Chacoma Place SW. This block has several Southwest Vernacular style homes originally built between 1938 and 1940 that have been retrofitted and individualized over the years. 4. 300, 306, 310 Rio Grande SW (NE corner Alhambra and Rio Grande), Casa de Sueos. This historic landmark was built in 1940 as La Miradora Apartments. Local architect Bart Prince designed the nautilus-shaped modification sometimes called the snail, at the 310 address. The nautilus may be removed soon due to structural problems. The historic buildings are currently used as studios, a gallery, and a bed and breakfast. 5. 307 Rio Grande SW. Southwest Vernacular style, built approximately 1940. Continue west on Alhambra. 6. 2100 block of Alhambra SW. Several homes were built in the late 1930s and early 1940s in Southwest Vernacular style. Be sure to walk around the corner of 2113 Alhambra SW to see the stucco tree house there. 7. 2200 block of Alhambra. 2201 Alhambra SW is Southwest Vernacular, built in the 1920s, 2217 Alhambra SW was built in 1938. 2223 Alhambra SW is a craftsman bungalow built between 1915 and 1920; the enclosed porch is a later modification. WALK NORTH (RIGHT) ON GALLUP.
D. Paseo del Bosque Trail. A paved multi-use trail extends north and south along the Albuquerque Riverside Drain for about 16 miles. Additional soft surface trails are found on the levee and into the bosque. WALK EAST ON CENTRAL. E. 2525 Tingley Drive SW The Beach Apartments. Designed by internationally renowned local architect, Antoine Predock, in 1985. GO PLACES WHERE CARS CANT! CUT ACROSS PARKING LOTS AT EAST END OF WILLIS PLACE. 13. Murals and interesting views of back of buildings. 14. Local Post Office. 15. Neighborhood-scale commercial area with health food store (BKs Health Pantry), restaurant (Chef du Jour), and beauty salon. WALK SOUTH ON SAN PASQUALE TO RETURN TO BEGINNING POINT. 16. 200 block of San Pasquale. Southwest Vernacular houses F. Alameda Drain. Look to the south for a view of the Alameda Drain as you cross over. The drains and irrigation ditches (acequias) of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District form a network of informal pathways and an oasis in the desert throughout the valley. G. Country Club Golf Course. Catch a glimpse of the Country Club Golf Course through the slats of the fence. H. 2500 Central SW El Vado Auto Court Motel. This Spanish Pueblo Revival style motel was built in 1937. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered one of the best examples of a largely unaltered pre-World War II tourist court remaining along Route 66 in New Mexico. I. 2924 Central SW Casa Grande Restaurant. 1 MILE Begin at the Albuquerque Biological Park and explore the surrounding area. A. 903 10th St. SW Albuquerque Biological Park. Albuquerque Aquarium, architect Van Gilbert, and the Botanic Garden are north of Central Cross to the south side of Central at the signalized intersection at Tingley Drive. B. Tingley Beach. Tingley Beach was first called Conservancy Beach when it was constructed by the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District in 1930-31. The old swimming and fishing lakes fell into disrepair, but are now being rebuilt to their former grandeur by the City of Albuquerque. Caution: There is no safe or accessible walking route from Central to the lakes currently. C. El Rio Grande, View the river from the Central Avenue bridge. J. 2222 Central SW El Don Motel. The neon sign is one of eight neon signs in Albuquerque registered in the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties. K. 2210 Central SW Historic Auto Court. This 1939 Moderne style auto court was originally named the Tower Courts for the tower built in its center. The tower is gone. L. 2124 Central SW Can you see the ghost of the former A&W drive-in in Lams Chinese Restaurant?

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RETURN TO STARTING POINT AT THE BIOPARK. TWO CENTRAL AVENUE BUS ROUTES STOP NEAR THE WEST PARK NEIGHBORHOOD: ROUTE #66 AND #766. THE RAPID RIDE STOPS ARE LIMITED TO RIO GRANDE BOULEVARD/CENTRAL AND THE BIOPARK NEAR TINGLEY DRIVE/CENTRAL.

H I G H L I G H T S

>> tree houses, shoe trees and other whimsical details >> historic landmarks and modern infill development >> route 66 vintage neon and tourist courts

PUBLISHED 6/06

Pedestrian advocates, neighborhood residents, and planning and design professionals collaborated on this series of neighborhood walking guides. These walks highlight the architecture, art, history, and gardens, the hidden gems and quirky details of Albuquerque neighborhoods. The walking guide project is one of several initiated by WALK Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Alliance for Active Living to improve community health through increased daily activity. WALK Albuquerque is dedicated to creating and preserving safe, attractive, and accessible walking environments throughout the Albuquerque area. For information about our activities and projects and to download other walking guides, please visit our website or call us. WA L K A L B U Q U E R Q U E. O R G 5. 4. 2

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Special thanks to City Councilor, Isaac Benton, for contributing ideas for this tour. Councilor Benton is a local architect who specializes in in-fill development and library design. Hes been active in the West Park Neighborhood Association. He can often be seen walking or bicycling from his home in West Park to his office in the historic Champion Grocery Building (1904) downtown. Supporters include the Robert Wood Johnson Foundations Active Living by Design initiative, the Urban Enhancement Trust Fund of the City of Albuquerque and the NM Department of Transportation.

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