On March 10, 1705 don Francisco Cuervo y Valdez who had been Governor of Nuevo León and Coahuila was chosen as acting Governor to New Mexico. It was this great man that would found the city of Alburquerque. He had brought together the 4 things required by the king of Spain and his patron, Duke Alburquerque. He had people (35 families) and cattle. Water in the form of River del Norte (Rio Grande) and a church.
The church was named San Felipe de Neri by the Duke of Alburquerque to honor King Philip of Spain. Though founded in 1706 the existing building was constructed in 1793 making it one of the oldest buildings in Albuquerque.
We took a trolley tour of the city. These next photos are grab shots out the window combined with some of the descriptive information.
1% of the budget of all new public buildings is devoted to public art. An example is this mural which runs the whole exterior of the renovated convention center.
This old theatre building, still in operation exemplifies the architectural style known as Pueblo Deco; sort of a Southwest take on art deco.
Albuquerque tries really hard to renovate older structures rather than raze and replace them. This former fire house now houses an upscale restaurant.
Tom & Carol
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