Raynolds Addition in Albuquerque in Bernalillo County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Hotel Alvarado

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 22, 2011

1. Hotel Alvarado Marker

Inscription. Hotel Alvarado was constructed in 1902 and demolished in 1970 in spite of local efforts to preserve it. The hotel and depot complex, shown in this 1908 photograph looking west, was designed by Santa Fe Railroad architect Charles Whittlesey in California Mission Revival style. The hotel was named for Hernando de Alvarado of the Coronado Expedition of 1540. The hotel was the site of the Fred Harvey Restaurant and Indian Building. Mary J. Colter designed the interior using regional artifacts and Indian motifs.

One of the nation's most distinctive railroad hotels, The Alvarado was for several decades the social and political center of Albuquerque. The hotel was described by one affectionate traveler as "one of the last of the Harvey Houses and the most beautiful of them all, with old gray stucco and the turquoise trim, its cool courts and shady patios inviting siesta, its Indian museum packed with old Pueblo artifacts, its slow heartbeat of the coming and going of the Santa Fe trains."

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway

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series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 35° 5.014′ N, 106° 38.879′ W. Marker is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Bernalillo County. It is in Raynolds Addition. It is on 1st Street SW, on the right when traveling north. Marker is just to the left of the entrance to the Albuquerque Alvarado Transportation Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 1st Street SW, Albuquerque NM 87102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Albuquerque Electric Streetcar System (a few steps from this marker); Railroad Avenue and Front Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Gold Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Harvey Girls / Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, 1869 - 1958 (within shouting distance of this marker); Central Bank Building (about

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 22, 2011

2. Hotel Alvarado Marker

Marker is just to the left of the entrance to the Albuquerque Alvarado Transportation Center.

400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First National Bank Building (about 700 feet away); Hope Building (about 700 feet away); Railroad (Central) Avenue (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albuquerque.

Hotel Alvarado - West Side image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington

3. Hotel Alvarado - West Side

HABS NM-123
As seen from the corner of First Street and Gold Avenue (Original arcade on this side was blocked ca. 1934 to create a bar and offices. High wall on left enclosed outdoor bar.)

Hotel Alvarado - East Front image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington

4. Hotel Alvarado - East Front

HABS NM,1-ALBU,5-4
Entrance from station platform to arcade which led around the central patio to hotel.

Hotel Alvarado Indian Building image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington

5. Hotel Alvarado Indian Building

HABS NM,1-ALBU,5-19
South front of the Indian Building (Constructed 1922)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,517 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 11, 2011. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.