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Alvarado Hotel Photograph Collection

 Collection
Identifier: PICT-995-053

Scope and Content

This collection includes exterior and interior views of the Alvarado Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Some of the photographs are numbered 994-052-0002-0013, 2000-014-0002-0003 and 2000-014-0006.

Dates

  • circa 1900-1968

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Duplication of print materials allowed for research purposes in most cases. User is responsible for all copyright compliance. For more information see the Photographs and Images Research Guide and contact the Pictorial Archivist.

History

The Alvarado Hotel was one of the Fred Harvey hotels located on the Santa Fe Railroad route in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The hotel was named after Hernando de Alvarado, Commander of Artillery in Coronado's great Southwest expedition. In 1902, Mary Jane Colter was hired by the Fred Harvey Company to design hotels, shops and rest havens along the new Santa Fe Railway lines for the eager tourists who were anxious to experience the American West. Her first project for the Harvey Company was at the Alvarado Hotel; a museum and gift shop that incorporated Spanish and Native American influences. Its success convinced the Company that architecture could be used as a marketing tool to attract tourists, and they sent Colter to the Grand Canyon to build an Indian museum. Charles F. Whittlesey designed the 118 room Alvarado Hotel. The Mission Revival style, which engineered for concrete and brick born of adobe, became the first southwestern architectural style to gain national favor after 1890. It quickly became a favorite architectural vocabulary for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and other lines that crisscrossed New Mexico a century ago. On Feb. 13, 1970, the central portion of the Alvarado Hotel was demolished despite last ditch efforts by citizens and officials to save the historic structure.

Source: Wheels Museum website

Extent

uncounted items (1 box (.3 cu. ft.))

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains interior views of the Alvarado Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Physical Location

B2. Shelved by Pictorial Number.

Processing Information

This collection was assembled by the Center for Southwest Research. Materials may be added periodically.
Title
Finding Aid of the Alvarado Hotel Photograph Collection, circa 1900-1968
Status
Approved
Author
Processed by Pictorial Collections Staff
Date
©2006
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