Monte Vista Fire Station Reflects 1930s Era On Route 66
By Sue Bohannan Mann
In the heart of the Nob Hill area in Albuquerque stands the Monte Vista
Fire Station Restaurant. The restaurant is located in the historic fire
station designed by Albuquerque's then city architect E. H. Blumenthal,
who also designed Albuquerque's first airport. The fire station was completed
in 1936. Blumenthal incorporated elements of pueblo style in the building,
such as the terraced building arrangement of Taos Pueblo, to reflect the
station's several functions.
The office on the ground floor opens up to the two story large central
section which originally housed the apparatus room. Today these 14 feet
tall multi-light station doors still include the large metal wheels, which
allowed the doors to fold open quickly when the fire alarm sounded. Steps
near the entry lead to the second floor which originally served as the firemen's
living quarters. Another level opens up to the three-story hose-drying tower
on the east. The architect used two rough timber ladders to accent the changing
levels. Other interpretations include the exposed lintels and many vigas.
The station's facade also suggests a pueblo mission church entry topped
by a second story balustrade. Blumenthal used many of the same accents in
the building of the city airport in 1939.
The fire station was one of many local building and beautification projects
that came about through the efforts of Mayor Clyde Tingley, who served as
governor of New Mexico from 1933 to 1938. He was called mayor because of
his long and energetic career (1916-1934) as a dominant member of Albuquerque's
city commission. Tingley used his personal friendship with Franklin Roosevelt
to funnel federal relief funds into New Mexico, especially Albuquerque. |
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In addition to the projects Blumenthal designed, Tingley was instrumental
in garnering money for several parks, two railroad overpasses, the Little
Theatre, buildings at the Rio Grande Zoo, the Chamber of Commerce building,
the State Fairground buildings, some university buildings, and a veteran's
center. All buildings were designed in the Spanish Pueblo Revival style.
As a result, many subdivisions, businesses, motels and apartments also adopted
the native architecture. The Monte Vista Fire Station continues to stand
out as a memorable monument to the 1930s era.
As with all WPA projects, the station was built with local labor and
material. The hollow tile blocks in the original structure were manufactured
by Kinney Brick of Albuquerque, and all the original timber was cut by local
labor in the Sandia Mountains and milled in the city.
The station originally stood at the eastern edge of the city. By 1951,
properties built after World War II had filled in Central Avenue around
the station, and post war housing covered the mesa to the east. The Fire
Station was remodeled in 1952 to house the Fire Department's longer ladder
trucks. The station's crew was increased to ten men and included the district
chief's office. Fire crews through the years took pride in keeping the station
in immaculate condition.
The station was put up for sale in 1972 because the newer and wider trucks
could no longer make the turn into the Monte Vista's doors. After it sold,
it was used as an art gallery, a lithographic studio, and a film production
facility until it was remodeled and opened as the Monte Vista Fire Station
Restaurant in 1986. Today, the popular restaurant serves as a fine example
of the Nob Hill area's renaissance. The historic building highlights the
atmosphere and the friendly service combined with an excellent kitchen staff
adds up to pleasant dining. |
Spring 1999
