Old Town in Albuquerque in Bernalillo County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes

Founder of Albuquerque

— April 23, 1706 —

Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 11, 2025

1. Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Illustrious son of the Province of Asturias Spain, Governor of New Mexico.
Sculpture funded by the City of Albuquerque 1% for Arts Program as per City Council Resolution 57, 1984.
Buck McCain, Artist, Santa Fe Bronze, Inc. Foundry.
Dedication Ceremonies held April 23, 1988

El día 23 de abril de 1706... "Certifico a su Majestad...a sus Virreyes...cómo fundé una Villa en las orillas y vegas del Río del Norte en buen paraje de tierras, aguas, postos y leña...llamándola y nombrándola la Villa de Albuquerque."

English translation:
On April 23, 1706 ... "I certify to Your Majesty ... and to Your Viceroys...how I founded a town on the banks of the River of the North on a good spot of land with water, pastures and forests...naming it Villa de Albuquerque."

Erected 1988 by City of Albuquerque.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Hispanic Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is April 23, 1988.

Location. 35° 5.891′ N, 106°

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40.234′ W. Marker is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Bernalillo County. It is in Old Town. It is on Romero Road NW just south of Rio Grande Boulevard NW, on the right. Drive South on Rio Grande Boulevard from I-40 .5 miles, cross Mountain Road NW. Romero Road Branches from Rio Grande NW immediately after this junction. This statue and marker are at Romero and Rio Grande Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Albuquerque NM 87104, 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: Welcome to Patio Escondido (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Public School in Albuquerque (about 500 feet away); Sister Blandina Convent (about 600 feet away); "Deposition with Six Figures" (about 600 feet away); Albuquerque POW/MIA Memorial (about 600 feet away); The Mother Church of Albuquerque (about 700 feet away); San Felipe de Neri (about 700 feet away); Albuquerque (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albuquerque.

More about this marker. Parking lot is immediately south.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 11, 2025

2. Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes Marker

Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 11, 2025

3. Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes and Marker

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 11, 2025

4. Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes and Marker

Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes Markers and Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris English, November 10, 2013

5. Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes Markers and Statue

Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes Statue Close Up image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris English, November 10, 2013

6. Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes Statue Close Up

Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2013, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,602 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 15, 2026, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 5, 6. submitted on November 23, 2013, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.