National Register Listing

Menaul School Historic District

Roughly bounded by Broadway, Claremont, Edith, and Menaul Aves. and 301 Menaul Blvd., NE, Albuquerque, NM
Menaul School has played a central role in the development of the Presbyterian Church's missionary presence within New Mexico. Between 1895 and the late 1950's the school was the apex of an educational and religious pyramid that had as its base the dozens of small, predominantly Hispano communities of northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado where the Presbyterian Church had established churches and grammar Schools. Using this organizational structure the School significantly contributed to the development of the state, serving as a Hispano leadership training ground for nearly 50 years. The school's alumni have played an important role in New Mexico civic and educational affairs with many graduates returning to become leaders in their home communities.

The Menaul School District is locally significant as one of Albuquerque's oldest educational campuses and, with the University of New Mexico, the only one that has remained in continuous use since the 19th century. It has influenced the physical growth of the city because the campus, along with St. Anthony's Orphanage and the recently closed BIA Albuquerque Indian School, formed Albuquerque's northern boundary between town and country at the turn of the century. Today it still asserts a definite institutional and park-like effect on a part of the city that has become essentially urbanized.

Architecturally, the district's importance comes from the fact that the school has managed to combine varying architectural styles into a coherent and well-integrated campus. Many of the buildings were constructed entirely by the school's staff and students, an attempt at hands-on building and economic self-sufficiency rare in this century. It should be noted that Menaul School's significance does not derive from its architecture but from its sense of community and its cultural contribution to the State of New Mexico.
Local significance of the district:
Education; Hispanic; Religion

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

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.

education
In 1945, the world's first atomic bomb was tested at the Trinity Site in New Mexico. The test was part of the Manhattan Project, a secret government program to develop nuclear weapons during World War II.
New Mexico random facts
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.

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.