National Register Listing

Barela-Bledsoe House

7017 Edith Blvd., NE, Albuquerque, NM

Erected c.1870 the Barela-Bledsoe House is a landmark in the community of Los Ranches de Albuquerque, one of the small villages which characterized the Hispanic settlement of New Mexico's Rig Abajo (Down River) region.Prior to 1854 Los Ranchos served briefly as county seat..of Bernalillo County until the offices were returned to Albuquerque/ the largest nearby town.Important architecturally, the house is an excellent example of a 19th century New Mexico building in which residential and commercial elements were combined under one roof. The structure also has historical importance as the home of a well-known native New Mexico family whose origins date from Spanish Colonial times with descendants still living in Albuquerque.

Born in November, 1842, four years prior to the takeover of New Mexico by U.S. troops in the first months of the Mexican War, Juan EsteVan Barela was the only son of Pablo Barela and Paula Garcla. Although the Barelas were primarily farmers and stock men, Juan EsteVan's father was also a freighter who occasionally hauled merchandise from eastern points to New Mexico over the historic Santa Fe Trail. On May 23, 1870 the-elder Barela's train was attacked by a band of Kiowas and Arapahoes which resulted in extensive damage and a claim against the-U.S. government still unsettled twenty years later. In 1867 Juan Estevan Barela married Maria Soledad Jaramillo from the nearby village of Alameda. After only a few years together this union was terminated by Soledad's death but by 1872 Barela had married again. Hissecond wife was Abundia Garcla, a native of Anton Chico in the Pecos Valley,100 miles east of Los Ranchos. The materials and construction methods used in the Barela-Bledsoe House indicate that it was probably built about this time.

Local significance of the building:
Commerce; Agriculture; Hispanic; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

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.

commerce agriculture ethnic heritage hispanic architecture houses residential buildings
Audiobooks about the history of New Mexico.
The state has a diverse population, with a significant number of Hispanic, Native American, and Anglo residents. The Spanish language and Hispanic culture have had a profound impact on the state's history and traditions.
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.