National Register Listing

Chavez, Rumaldo, House

a.k.a. See Also:Albuquerque North Valley MRA

10023 Edith Blvd., NE, Albuquerque, NM

The Rumaldo Chavez House, 10023 Edith Boulevard NE, is the architecturally outstanding member of a group of historic houses in Alaraeda built in the mid-19th century. Unlike other houses in the area, the Chavez house retains most of its historic architectural elements. The location of the house, at the edge of Edith Boulevard, the historic high road to Bernalillo and points north,makes it an especially visible and valuable component of the compound of old adobes which lies to the south and east.

The first recorded connection between the Chavez family and the property appears on the 1927 Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District .map of the area.Aurelia H. de Chavez, who is listed as the owner in 1927, was married in 1901to Emiterio Chavez, son of Rumaldo Chavez and Maria Conception Tafoya, a daughter of Domingo Tafoya, whose house still stands just to the west of the Chavez House.The construction of the Chavez House indicates that it was built either at the time of Rumaldo Chavez 1 marriage in 1866 or possibly earlier since the Chavez family was resident in Alameda since at least 1846 when Rumaldo was born. As with the Domingo Tafoya House, the Chavez House has all the elements of traditional Spanish/Pueblo building: linear plan, 2-foot thick walls, low doorways (both interior and exterior), hand-adzed vigas and ceiling boards, and an exterior door and one window in each room. Of particular importance in the Chavez House is that these early ceilings and the early random width floor planks are exposed throughout the house. The traditional flat roof has also been retained.

Local significance of the building:
Hispanic; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

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.

ethnic heritage hispanic architecture houses residential buildings
Audiobooks about the history of New Mexico.
During World War II, New Mexico was the site of several top-secret military installations, including the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where the atomic bomb was developed. The laboratory is still one of the largest employers in the state and conducts research in fields such as nuclear energy and national security.
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.