Markers being posted throughout New Mexico
by David A. Bahm
During a long-awaited road trip in June, my wife Jennifer and I
were excited to see a couple of the new Scenic Byway signs posted in New
Mexico. More than two years ago the New Mexico Mainstreet program
sponsored a logo design contest for the Scenic Byways sign. I had just
relocated from Albuquerque to Colorado but decided to submit a design
anyway. To my surprise, my design was chosen from many entries.
New Mexico Mainstreet asked for a couple of revisions to the
design...namely the yucca plant in the foreground (I had placed half of
a road sign there without numbering). They also requested alternate
color schemes, but ended up choosing my original colors of black, purple
and bright orange.
Last month Jennifer and I had driven from Denver to Tulsa, then
explored and photographed Route 66 through eastern Oklahoma, Kansas and
western Missouri. From there we drove west through Oklahoma City and
visited a friend in Texas, then drove to visit another friend in
Roswell. Our plans to photograph more of Route 66 were cut short by a
stomach bug I caught in Oklahoma...not fun.
On our way to Albuquerque we discovered the above sign at the
south end of N.M. Hwy. 337 (old South 14). I stopped the car and we took
pictures.
The signs will be found along the Scenic Byways throughout the
state. I have been told that progress is somewhat slow, but that the
project should be completed and all signs posted soon.
Valencia County and the Pre-1937 Alignment
by Patti Guggino
As American as apple pie and as scenic as the Camino Real, from
1926 to 1937 Route 66 traversed 400 years of history through the Rio
Abajo. Today we invite inquirers down the old road into Valencia County
for an experience of our diverse American culture.
Sojourners enter the world of yesterday at I-25 (exit 213).
Traveling South on Isleta Blvd. through Isleta Pueblo and over the Rio
Grande to Highway 47, wayfarers can easily imagine themselves back on
the U.S. Route 66 of the 1920's. Following this path as it crosses the
river again to enter Los Lunas, time stands still at the Huning
Mercantile Complex (1860), the San Antonio Mission (1790), Sam's Tires
(1928 Route 66 Service Station) and the Luna Mansion (now a wonderful
restaurant, formerly the Luna-Otero residence built in 1880), to mention
a few of the sites.
The Los Lunas Visitor's Center, adjacent to Historic Route 66,
is home to a photographic exhibit of Valencia County's historic places
along America's Main Street. There is also a 1932 fire wagon, a video
reenactment of a 1920's car/police chase, and several guides and maps;
most importantly the new Historic Route 66 map of Los Lunas.
Between exits 213 and 203 off I-25 adventurous travelers can
travel through our Southwestern history in just a short ten miles, to
appreciate the past and savor the present. Guests can enjoy our park,
athletic facilities, great dining and visit our annual classic and
vintage and car show in June. For more information you can reach us at
the Los Lunas Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Center, 3447 Lambros
Road (Hwy 47, old Route 66) or call (505) 865-1581.
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Oklahoma City: Eight Route 66 States Meet
When the federal enabling legislation passed for the National
Route 66 Corridor Act last year, the National Park Service (charged with
oversite) brought together representatives from the eight states, the
National Historic Route 66 Association (instrumental in getting the bill
written and passed) and other interested parties for review. The eight
states are very different in membership composition, mission and
activities, representational both by sheer miles of the road, remaining
assets and political concerns. Yet we all agreed that preservation of
the road was paramount.
All eight states committed to working their state's
Congressional delegations to get the Act funded for this year. Of
particular concern was roadway being destroyed by new construction and
historic buildings being lost to the bulldozer (progress) or fire.
We hope to meet annually to work out a National Corridor
strategy that delivers long term sustainable funding for the roadway.
Southwest Architecture Class Open to the Public
Open to Non-Majors and the General Public
A course on the architecture of the Southwest offered this fall
by the University of New Mexico, School of Architecture and Planning
will be open to the general public. This introduction to the
architecture, cultural landscapes and town planning of the region will
meet Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., from August 23 to December 13.
The course is designed for preservationists, planners, design
professionals and interested members of the public who wish to enhance
their abilities to contribute to the preservation and growth of their
communities by deepening their knowledge of local traditions, and
refining their approach to contemporary regionalism.
The instructor, Chris Wilson, has been an active historic
preservationist around New Mexico for twenty years. The School's J. B.
Jackson Professor of Cultural Landscape Studies, Wilson is best known as
the author of The Myth of Santa Fe, an award-winning study of the uses
of history and tourism to foster community identity and economic
revitalization.
Through slide lectures, readings, field trips, discussions, and
interactive exercises students will develop a deeper understanding of
how environmental, cultural, economic, and technological forces shape
buildings and communities. While improving their skills in research,
writing and spatial diagraming, students will also learn to decode
history in neighborhoods, cultural values in house floor plans, and
commercial and government agendas in specialized building types.
For course content questions, contact Chris Wilson at (505)
277-3303 or e-mail at chwilson@unm.edu. Registration information for
non-UNM students is available from Lois Kennedy, (505) 277-4847 or
e-mail at loisk@unm.edu.
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