Santa Fe - The City Different

Santa Fe - The City Different

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Having lost his re-election, Governor Hannett blamed the Santa Fe politicians for losing and vowing to get even, he rerouted the highway in his last few months as governor. So hastily was the road built, that it barreled through both public and private lands without benefit of official right-of-ways.

By the time the new governor was in place, a new highway connected Route 66 from Santa Rosa to Albuquerque, bypassing the capitol city and its many businesses. The new route was more direct and reduced some of the more treacherous road conditions. It was along this path that I-40 would be built many years later.

La Bajada Hill was ranked right up with Sitgreaves Pass in Arizona as one of the worst stretches along old Route 66.

Photo courtesy Federal Highway Administration.

For many years this picturesque city has consciously attempted to preserve and display a regional architectural style. By a law passed in 1958, new and rebuilt buildings, especially those in designated historic districts, must exhibit a Spanish Territorial or Pueblo style of architecture, with flat roofs and other features suggestive of the area's traditional adobe construction.

In addition to serving as the state capital, the city depends economically on art, tourism, construction, and real estate development. Set at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, the city's climate and cultural attractions have drawn an influx of new residents with an above average income and educational level. Restaurants, boutiques, and galleries line the streets of the city center and Canyon Road.

The growth boom flagged temporarily in the mid-1990's when Debbie Jaramillo, who opposed the focus on tourism, was elected mayor. Although she was voted out after serving one term, the city continues to face the challenges of continuing drought conditions and a widening divide between locals and recent arrivals. Still, art and tourism remain Santa Fe's biggest industries.

Nestled at 7,000 feet in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Santa Fe boasts a population of almost 65,000. While in Santa Fe, be sure to visit the La Fonda Hotel, which has been providing a restful place for weary travelers since 1920. In 1926 the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad acquired the hotel, which they leased to Fred Harvey. From 1926 through 1969 the La Fonda was one of the famous Harvey Houses. Reportedly the La Fonda also hosts a resident ghost.

You will also have the opportunity to see the historic Palace of the Governors, the San Miguel Mission Church, visit Santa Fe's many museums, and stroll through numerous galleries and boutiques while visiting beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico .

One other interesting note is that Santa Fe is reportedly extremely haunted. It is one of the few cities that offers a full schedule of “ghost tours” and “ghost walks” year around, with as many as five operators conducting tours from Santa Fe's historic plaza. These tours primarily focus on the ten block historic area of Santa Fe, featuring such places as the La Posada and La Fonda Hotels, the Grant Corner Inn, Palace of Governors, the oldest house in the nation, and other historic buildings. Some tours also include area superstitions, as well as Santa Fe's history of vigilantes, gunfights, murders and hangings.

The La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico is

reportedly haunted. January, 2005, Robert Garcia

Santa Fe Palace of Governors

From Santa Fe, Route 66 travelers will continue southwest through several small towns. La Bajada Hill is in La Cienga, but is difficult to find, so you will needs some good Route 66 maps and if you want to drive it, a high-clearance 4x4 is required. Continuing, you'll soon arrive in Domingo where one good stop is Fred Thompsons' Indian Trading post. A side trip opportunity also presents itself here, to visit the Santa Domingo Pueblo just a few miles west. Called home to more than 3,000, Santa Domingo Indians have lived here for centuries. Here, you will see many roadside stands with jewelry, pottery and silverwork. The pueblo also offers a cultural center and small museum for visitors.

Returning to Route 66, the road winds through the small towns of Algodones, Bernalillo and Alameda

before rejoining with the later alignment in Albuquerque.

Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, © April, 2005

This small grocery store in Algadones, New Mexico sits

lonely along this old alignment of Route 66, June, 2006,

Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

A stop at this Route 66 Art Gallery along this old stretch might be fun, June, 2006, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

To Albuquerque

Return to Route 66

To Las Vegas

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From the Rocky Mountain General Store

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