The History of Albuquerque, New Mexico

Old Albuquerque; Missing Train Station; Central Avenue; University of New Mexico; Route 66 Conspiracy

Check out this exciting episode of View Master Travels, where Dave takes us on a captivating journey through time and space. In this video, Dave explores the vintage View Master reel of Albuquerque New Mexico, dated 1948. Join him as he embarks on a photo-scavenger hunt to find the exact locations depicted in the 3D pictures from over 70 years ago.

Dave starts by introducing Albuquerque, a city in north central New Mexico, which was once a royal chartered town under Spanish rule. He shares fascinating historical tidbits, including the evolution of the city's name spelling over the years. As Dave unravels the stories behind Albuquerque, he visits the St. Augustine Church of San Felipe in Old Albuquerque Plaza, showcasing its rich architectural heritage and unique features.

Next, Dave takes us to Albuquerque Station, tracing the changes brought by the Santa Fe rail line and the emergence of a new town called New Albuquerque. He highlights the significant architectural loss of the Alvarado Hotel, a grand landmark once associated with Fred Harvey Houses. Discover how protests to save the building ultimately fell short, leaving behind only the memories of this iconic structure.

Continuing the journey, Dave explores Central Avenue, the central thoroughfare of Albuquerque, which later became a section of the renowned Route 66. He unveils the historical importance of the First National Bank building and the Sunshine building along this vibrant street. The evolution of Central Avenue is intertwined with the transformation of travel and the changing landscape of Albuquerque.

Dave then takes us to the Administration Building of the University of New Mexico, sharing its rich history and the unique Pueblo Revival style of architecture. We join him in traversing the campus, discovering the buildings that reflect the evolution of the university over time.

The video concludes with Dave's exploration of US Highway 66 through Tijeras Canyon, shedding light on the fascinating backstory of the creation of Route 66 and the intriguing tale of revenge involving the Santa Fe Ring.

Join View Master Travels on this captivating expedition through Albuquerque New Mexico, where history, architecture, and nostalgia come together. Embark on a virtual time travel experience and witness the transformation of a city over seven decades. Don't miss this incredible journey filled with discovery, storytelling, and stunning visuals. Subscribe to View Master Travels and hit the notification bell to never miss an episode of these captivating adventures.

Some credits:

The little icons used in the animations:

Train Station by Martina Krasnayová from Noun Project
Bulldozer by Orin zuu from Noun Project
Model T by Alex Valdivia from Noun Project
Snow by Ryan Adryawan from Noun Project
Engineer by Creative Mahira from Noun Project

The picture of Albuquerque Balloon Festival, since I couldn’t credit it on screen:
“Balloons Eric Ward from Provo UT USA”

Sounds effects used in the before/after sequences:

Train Station: https://freesound.org/s/161319/
Town Square: https://freesound.org/s/341565/
Bus Station: https://freesound.org/s/155003/
Country Road Ambience: https://freesound.org/s/258001/
Wind in Grass: https://freesound.org/s/665151/
Walking in gravel: https://freesound.org/s/411206/
Choir Singing: https://freesound.org/s/185532/
Summer in a field: https://freesound.org/s/370976/
Garibaldi square in Mexico City: https://freesound.org/s/223980/
Amtrak Station: https://freesound.org/s/319147/
Saturday morning on campus: https://freesound.org/s/443925/
Footsteps: https://freesound.org/s/175954/