Los Alamos in Los Alamos County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Albert J. Connell
Los Alamos Homestead Tour
| | Site 1 Marker 4 | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2015
1. Albert J. Connell Marker
In Lieu Entry: October 1930
Ashley Pond bought H. H. Brook's ranch in January 1917. That same year, Pond hired Albert J. (A. J.) Connell to be the director of the newly formed Los Alamos Ranch School. The school did not own all the land on Los Alamos Mesa. Much of it was property of the Santa Fe National Forest. Section 16, the so-called school section, which was not open to homesteading, lay in the heart of the school grounds.
Connell had worked hard and successfully to build the school into a respected preparatory school for well-to-do boys. Although the school leased land from the forest service, he felt the school would be more secure by owning the land outright.
The U.S. Forest Service could not sell land but could trade for land of equal value. Connell sought to buy private land that the forest service wanted to acquire. He found that he could not afford enough private land to trade for the entire 640-acre Section 16. In 1930 he began negotiations to trade 160 acres he had purchased in the Pecos area for 40 acres of Section 16. That tract now includes the east parking lot for Mesa Public Library and a part of Ashley Pond. He completed the transaction in January 1931.
Connell was still director of the school when the government began negotiations to acquire the property
this page online
Erected by County of Los Alamos, Fuller Lodge/Historic Districts Advisory Board, and Los Alamos Historic Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 35° 52.957′ N, 106° 18.087′ W. Marker was in Los Alamos, New Mexico, in Los Alamos County. It could be reached from Juniper Street just west of 19th Street. Marker is located along the walkway just north of the Los Alamos Historical Museum. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 2132 Central Avenue, Los Alamos NM 87544, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Northern New Mexico. It was also in the American Southwest. Globally, it was in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Five Eras of History (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Romero Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Fire Cache (a few steps from this marker); Ancestral Pueblo Site
Los Alamos Historical Society Archives
2. Marker detail: Albert J. Connell
Other markers no longer nearby. Harold H. Brook (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Martha Brook (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); William Mackwood Hopper (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Homesteading on the Pajarito Plateau, 1887-1942 (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); The Romero Cabin (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Los Alamos Historical Walking Tour
Also see . . . Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory National Historic Landmark District. A former Boy Scout and forest ranger, Connell modeled the schools
3. Marker detail: property map
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2015
4. Albert J. Connell Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 25, 2015
5. A. J. Connell Plaque
(inside Los Alamos Historical Museum)
(inside Los Alamos Historical Museum)
Los Alamos, New Mexico
A. J. Connell 1882-1944
Dedicated to the memory of
Mr. A. J. Connell
Director of the Ranch School, 1917-1943
Los Alamos Historical Society
July 1969
Photographed by James Hulse, March 25, 2025
6. The 6 original markers have been removed and replaced with different markers along the trail
Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 983 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 24, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6. submitted on April 7, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
