History of Albuquerque

With its strategic location along the mighty Rio Grande River, Albuquerque has long been a popular settlement area. Native American Indians were the first people to farm the valley, but with the arrival of the Europeans, white settlers took over the land. As one of the original outposts for American westward expansion, Albuquerque had a unique role in the country’s early development, and retains much of its interesting character today.

An ideal location

The Spanish were the first Europeans to arrive in the area, founding Albuquerque as a colonial outpost in 1706. Originally, the area was chosen due to its relatively lush farming potential along the Rio Grande River and its strategic location along the Camino Real, the main trading route for the Spanish. The earliest settlement was built in the traditional Spanish village style, with a central plaza surrounded by official buildings, homes and a church. This core area has been preserved as a cultural site, known as the Old Town.   

The railroad arrives

Albuquerque eventually became incorporated into the expanding American empire and served as an outpost for the western frontier. When the railroad arrived in 1880, things began to pick up in this dusty settlement. A new town was built around the railroad depot, two miles east of Old Town, and with the influx of commerce and people, Albuquerque started to grow.

The allure of the West

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, many Americans regarded the West as a fresh new beginning, full of potential prosperity, or an unregulated frontier in which to escape from their pasts. New Mexico’s dry climate attracted a wave of tuberculosis sufferers in search of a cure, while merchants, gold prospectors and entrepreneurs came in search of untapped fortunes.

Route 66

Perhaps the greatest boon for Albuquerque came when the transcontinental motorway - Route 66 - was completed in 1926. This infamous road passed right through the heart of the city, along what is now Central Avenue, bringing with it a constant flow of travellers and goods. An entire industry of motels, restaurants and gift shops quickly opened along Route 66 to serve the drivers passing through. Today, this road remains a legendary icon of American automotive exploration.

Modern times

During the mid-1900s, Albuquerque became a centre for military research and development. Sandia National Laboratories opened in 1949 to help build the world’s first atomic bomb. As the city spread outwards, the Old Town fell into decline and disuse. Only recently has Albuquerque begun to restore its unique heritage in an effort to preserve its distinct and quirky character.