Beula Fleming Job Files
Collection
Identifier: MSS-789-BC
Scope and Content
Contracts, Specifications and Drawings: This series contains Beula Fleming's contracts, building specifications and unfinalized sketches of floorplans for various dwellings. These dwellings are mainly in Albuquerque, with the exception of two residences in Socorro, one in Mountainair, and one in Colorado. Some of the structures are multiple family dwellings. The jobs are listed by the name of original owner and the property address, when available. Many of these files also contain completed Federal Housing Administration (FHA) construction specification forms, c.1946-c.1955.
International Correspondence School Documents: This series contains many of the documents from Beula Fleming's professional education. It includes notebooks, drawing assignments, and graded homework. Marketing brochures for the International Correspondence School are also in this series.
Miscellaneous Sketches: This series contains original sketches by Beula Fleming. They include a coat of arms study, Indian ornament study, and interior elevations and details.
Administration: This series contains two administrative files containing a land survey by H.W. Hitchcock and tax license receipts dating from 1938.
International Correspondence School Documents: This series contains many of the documents from Beula Fleming's professional education. It includes notebooks, drawing assignments, and graded homework. Marketing brochures for the International Correspondence School are also in this series.
Miscellaneous Sketches: This series contains original sketches by Beula Fleming. They include a coat of arms study, Indian ornament study, and interior elevations and details.
Administration: This series contains two administrative files containing a land survey by H.W. Hitchcock and tax license receipts dating from 1938.
Dates
- 1924-1968
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes.User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biographical Information
Beula Nixon Fleming was born on January 30, 1904 in Jicarilla, New Mexico. She was delivered in a tent, not far from the school where her mother was a teacher. Her grandfather was a buffalo hunter in Dodge City. After moving to Albuquerque in 1929, Fleming enrolled in the International Correspondence School to study architectural design, where she excelled in geometric drawing and calculations.
Working out of her home at 3000 Monterey SE in Albuquerque, Fleming made a successful living as an independent designer and draftsman, 1938-1969. She also worked in association with at least two other architects, Owasa J. Jennings and E. H. Norris. Most of the buildings designed by Fleming were either single or multiple family residences in Albuquerque. She also designed some dwellings in Socorro, Mountainair and surrounding New Mexico communities. Her Albuquerque designs are located in such prominent neighborhoods as Ridgecrest, Huning Highlands, Nob Hill, and University Heights.
Fleming's simple residential designs took hold during the 1930's and 1940's, when Albuquerque's economy was booming. Her straightforward stucco frame houses exemplified both regional and efficient features for the times. One of Fleming's more romantic and rustic designs is the "rock house" located at the corner of Marquette NE and Monte Vista NE. It features a steep pitched roof with gabled windows and rock facade.
Fleming had one daughter and two sons with her husband Joseph Jefferson Fleming, Sr., who was also an architectural draftsman. Her first marriage ended with the death of her husband and she later married Joseph A. Dunham.
Beula Fleming died on March 10, 1980, at the age of 76. She carries the distinction of being the first female designer whose work is documented in the John Gaw Meem Archives of Southwestern Architecture. Her contributions to the architecture of Albuquerque's early neighborhoods left a rare legacy for a professional woman of the early twentieth century.
Working out of her home at 3000 Monterey SE in Albuquerque, Fleming made a successful living as an independent designer and draftsman, 1938-1969. She also worked in association with at least two other architects, Owasa J. Jennings and E. H. Norris. Most of the buildings designed by Fleming were either single or multiple family residences in Albuquerque. She also designed some dwellings in Socorro, Mountainair and surrounding New Mexico communities. Her Albuquerque designs are located in such prominent neighborhoods as Ridgecrest, Huning Highlands, Nob Hill, and University Heights.
Fleming's simple residential designs took hold during the 1930's and 1940's, when Albuquerque's economy was booming. Her straightforward stucco frame houses exemplified both regional and efficient features for the times. One of Fleming's more romantic and rustic designs is the "rock house" located at the corner of Marquette NE and Monte Vista NE. It features a steep pitched roof with gabled windows and rock facade.
Fleming had one daughter and two sons with her husband Joseph Jefferson Fleming, Sr., who was also an architectural draftsman. Her first marriage ended with the death of her husband and she later married Joseph A. Dunham.
Beula Fleming died on March 10, 1980, at the age of 76. She carries the distinction of being the first female designer whose work is documented in the John Gaw Meem Archives of Southwestern Architecture. Her contributions to the architecture of Albuquerque's early neighborhoods left a rare legacy for a professional woman of the early twentieth century.
Extent
1 box (1 cu. ft.)
Abstract
This collection consists of Beula Fleming's architectural job files, which relate to her building design activities. The files include contracts, specifications, and drawings of dwellings in New Mexico. Also included are records related to her professional schooling and some tax license receipts.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by subject, and is divided into the following 4 series:
- Contracts, Specifications and Drawing
- International Correspondence School Documents
- Miscellaneous Sketches
- Administration
Separated Material
The Beula Fleming architectural drawings are housed separately in the CSWR John Gaw Meem Archives of Southwestern Architecture.
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Beula Fleming Job Files, 1924-1968
- Status
- Approved
- Author
- Processed by Alicia Brown
- Date
- ©2005
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu