National Register Listing

Monte Vista and College View Historic District

Roughly bounded by Girard and Lomas Blvds, Morningside Dr., Copper Ave., Campus and Monte Vista Blvds., Albuquerque, NM
The district consists of the Monte Vista and College View Additions both platted in 1926, the year following a major annexation to Albuquerque's east side in which the size of the city more than tripled. The first subdivisions on the East Mesa to be platted and then quickly developed, the Monte Vista and College View Additions, represented a significant step in determining the city's future growth eastward based upon the development of automobile-oriented suburbs. With its restrictions regarding minimum housing costs, its dedication to a parcel of land for the construction of a school, and efforts to limit potential flooding damage through an innovative street plan, the Monte Vista Addition anticipated developers' efforts to develop land use plans in subsequent generations of subdivisions. With developer Charles McDuffie's precedent-setting efforts to make widespread use of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans in the mid-1930s, the College View Addition anticipated the means by which expanding suburban housing would lead to greater numbers of homeowners. Although both additional developers, particularly McDuffie, played significant roles in constructing individual houses, independent builders continued to construct many of the district's houses. Their use of standard plans and materials and the range of regionally inspired stylistic elements applied to the houses imbued the district with the appearance of a distinctly southwestern suburb. The district's period of significance extends between 1926 and 1957, the period during which the two additions began to the point where they fulfilled their role as developed subdivisions. The properties less than fifty years of age are integral to the district and contribute to its history and setting.
Local significance of the district:
Architecture; Community Planning And Development

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

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.

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.