Gladding, James N., House
a.k.a. Kenneth Adams House
643 Cedar St., NE, Albuquerque, NMThe Gladding House is particularly significant for its architecture, a fine rendering of the Spanish-Pueblo Revival motifs, and for its importance in the Country Club Addition as the home of James Gladding, the developer and primary architect of this handsome neighborhood, now known as Spruce Park. Situated between the historic downtown core with its early neighborhoods and the University of New Mexico campus on the sand hills that run east to the Sandia Mountains, Spruce Park is not able for its fine houses in Mediterranean and Spanish-Pueblo Revival styles, and for its beautiful landscaping.
Gladding developed the neighborhood as President of Southwestern Construction Company while maintaining his architectural and engineering firm (Gladding and Gladding in 1922; Glaastra and Gladding by 1926, the date of his house). The development was restricted; deed covenants allowed no sales to people of African or Oriental descent, also required approval from Southwestern Construction's architect for all houses.
The 1926 Building Permit shows Southwestern Homes as contractor and owner of the $6,000 adobe building, which served as the model home for the subdivision until 1928, when Gladding moved in. As the model home, it emphasized the importance of southwestern styles in the new subdivision, which is now largely composed of buildings in the Spanish-Pueblo Revival and Mediterranean styles.
Gladding lived in the house until 1934. Most later owners and tenants of the building were connected in some way with the nearby University of New Mexico. They include the novelist Conrad Richter, who lived there for a year in 1938, and long-time owner Keneth Adams, a well-known artist who built the studio to the west, lived and painted in the house from 1945 until his death in 1966. During that time he also taught as a professor of art at the University.
The Bardacke family, who bought the Gladding House in 1972, added the two-story wing which connects the studio with the main house and the back-yard swimming pool. They sold the house to Paul Young in 1978, who in turned sold it to Mr. and Mrs. George Lugar a few months ago. The Lugars plan a careful rehabilitation of the building.
The Gladding House is important as the model home for a subdivision which has become one of Albuquerque's most attractive and coherent neighborhoods. Handsome on its own, it is even more significant as a key building for the Spruce Park neighborhood.
Local significance of the building:
Gladding developed the neighborhood as President of Southwestern Construction Company while maintaining his architectural and engineering firm (Gladding and Gladding in 1922; Glaastra and Gladding by 1926, the date of his house). The development was restricted; deed covenants allowed no sales to people of African or Oriental descent, also required approval from Southwestern Construction's architect for all houses.
The 1926 Building Permit shows Southwestern Homes as contractor and owner of the $6,000 adobe building, which served as the model home for the subdivision until 1928, when Gladding moved in. As the model home, it emphasized the importance of southwestern styles in the new subdivision, which is now largely composed of buildings in the Spanish-Pueblo Revival and Mediterranean styles.
Gladding lived in the house until 1934. Most later owners and tenants of the building were connected in some way with the nearby University of New Mexico. They include the novelist Conrad Richter, who lived there for a year in 1938, and long-time owner Keneth Adams, a well-known artist who built the studio to the west, lived and painted in the house from 1945 until his death in 1966. During that time he also taught as a professor of art at the University.
The Bardacke family, who bought the Gladding House in 1972, added the two-story wing which connects the studio with the main house and the back-yard swimming pool. They sold the house to Paul Young in 1978, who in turned sold it to Mr. and Mrs. George Lugar a few months ago. The Lugars plan a careful rehabilitation of the building.
The Gladding House is important as the model home for a subdivision which has become one of Albuquerque's most attractive and coherent neighborhoods. Handsome on its own, it is even more significant as a key building for the Spruce Park neighborhood.
Community Planning And Development; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
New Mexico played a significant role in the American Civil War, with Union and Confederate forces fighting several battles in the territory. The most famous of these was the Battle of Glorieta Pass in 1862, which ended Confederate hopes of capturing the Southwest.
About Bernalillo County
Bernalillo County Timeline
Bernalillo County, located in the central part of the U.S. state of New Mexico, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Tiwa and Tanoan people, who lived off the land and established settlements along the Rio Grande.
In 1540, Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an expedition into what is now Bernalillo County. The Spanish established several missions and settlements in the region, including the Alameda Mission and the village of Alburquerque (later renamed Albuquerque). These early settlements laid the foundation for the region's future development.
During the 19th century, Bernalillo County experienced significant growth with the arrival of American pioneers and traders. The region became an important trading post along the historic Santa Fe Trail, further connecting it to the expanding western frontier. In 1851, Bernalillo County was officially established as one of the original nine counties in the newly formed New Mexico Territory.
Bernalillo County played a significant role during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. It served as a strategic location for both sides, as the Rio Grande acted as a natural barrier. The county saw battles, skirmishes, and military engagements, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
In the 20th century, Bernalillo County continued to grow and develop, becoming an important center for government, commerce, and culture in New Mexico. Today, the county is home to the vibrant city of Albuquerque, which is the state's largest city and the cultural, economic, and political hub of the region. Bernalillo County's rich history can be seen through its diverse architectural styles, cultural traditions, and landmarks that reflect the people who have called this area home throughout the centuries.
In 1540, Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an expedition into what is now Bernalillo County. The Spanish established several missions and settlements in the region, including the Alameda Mission and the village of Alburquerque (later renamed Albuquerque). These early settlements laid the foundation for the region's future development.
During the 19th century, Bernalillo County experienced significant growth with the arrival of American pioneers and traders. The region became an important trading post along the historic Santa Fe Trail, further connecting it to the expanding western frontier. In 1851, Bernalillo County was officially established as one of the original nine counties in the newly formed New Mexico Territory.
Bernalillo County played a significant role during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. It served as a strategic location for both sides, as the Rio Grande acted as a natural barrier. The county saw battles, skirmishes, and military engagements, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
In the 20th century, Bernalillo County continued to grow and develop, becoming an important center for government, commerce, and culture in New Mexico. Today, the county is home to the vibrant city of Albuquerque, which is the state's largest city and the cultural, economic, and political hub of the region. Bernalillo County's rich history can be seen through its diverse architectural styles, cultural traditions, and landmarks that reflect the people who have called this area home throughout the centuries.
Bernalillo County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
- 1692: Bernalillo County established as part of New Spain's Santa Ana Pueblo land grant.
- 1821: Mexico gains independence from Spain, and Bernalillo County becomes part of the Republic of Mexico.
- 1848: Bernalillo County is ceded to the United States as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican-American War.
- 1852: Bernalillo County officially organized as a county within the New Mexico Territory.
- 1880: Completion of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway line through Bernalillo County stimulates growth and development in the region.
- 1902: The county seat is moved from Albuquerque to nearby Los Ranchos.
- 1930: The county seat is moved back to Albuquerque due to the city's rapid growth and importance.
- 1960s: Bernalillo County experiences significant population growth as a result of urbanization and suburban development.
- 2000s: Bernalillo County implements various initiatives to promote economic development, community engagement, and sustainable growth.