HABS Photographs and Documentation of St. Anthony’s Orphanage Classroom-Dormitory, Auditorium, and Chapel
Collection
Identifier: PICT-2005-020
Scope and Content
The collection consists of 36 black and white photographs of St. Anthony’s Orphanage in Albuquerque, NM. Photos document the classroom-dormitory, auditorium, and chapel additions to the original structure. Also included is an index to the photos, an historical narrative, and correspondence regarding HABS documentation. Photographs of building interiors, exteriors, and details comprise most of the collection. Additionally, photos of chapel construction drawings and a promotional postcard are included. These materials were submitted to the Historic American Buildings survey.
Dates
- 1930-1989
- Majority of material found within 1988-1989
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. For more information see the Photographs and Images Research Guide and contact the Pictorial Archivist.
Historical Information
Founded in 1913, St. Anthony’s Orphanage, the first orphanage facility for boys in NM, was located at 1500 Indian School Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM. The 50 acres of land was a gift to Sisters Genero and Evarista, members of the Order of St. Francis Seraph of Lafayette, IN, from the Jesuit Fathers of Old Albuquerque. Construction of the new orphanage building began in May 1913; the building was dedicated on Oct. 25, 1914. By the early 1920s, they had outgrown the original building, necessitating remodeling and additional construction. A three-story classroom-dormitory and an auditorium were added (1920-1924). These buildings were designed by Elson H. Norris, in the Institution Mission Style. A chapel was added (1931), designed by A. W. Boehning, in the California Mission Style.
41 additional acres were purchased for the orphanage during the 1930s. In time, the land was transformed into a lush and beautiful oasis, with “spacious lawns, a fine orchard, a large garden area, poultry yards, a swimming pool, a baseball diamond, and play grounds… The rest of the area was planted with alfalfa and grain."
Albuquerque’s urban growth engulfed the orphanage by the mid-1960s. Farming and livestock were no longer viable. Rising costs, declining numbers of children, and dramatic changes in child-care concepts all contributed to rendering the orphanage impractical. In 1971, the Sisters of St. Francis sold the property to the Department of Labor for the Albuquerque Job Corps. The orphanage closed for good on May 21, 1971, and the buildings were scheduled for demolition in March 1989.
41 additional acres were purchased for the orphanage during the 1930s. In time, the land was transformed into a lush and beautiful oasis, with “spacious lawns, a fine orchard, a large garden area, poultry yards, a swimming pool, a baseball diamond, and play grounds… The rest of the area was planted with alfalfa and grain."
Albuquerque’s urban growth engulfed the orphanage by the mid-1960s. Farming and livestock were no longer viable. Rising costs, declining numbers of children, and dramatic changes in child-care concepts all contributed to rendering the orphanage impractical. In 1971, the Sisters of St. Francis sold the property to the Department of Labor for the Albuquerque Job Corps. The orphanage closed for good on May 21, 1971, and the buildings were scheduled for demolition in March 1989.
Extent
36 plus items (1 folder) : 36 black and white photographs, plus documentation
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The collection consists of 36 black and white photographs of St. Anthony’s Orphanage in Albuquerque, NM. Photos document the classroom-dormitory, auditorium, and chapel additions to the original structure. Also included is an index to the photos, an historical narrative, and correspondence regarding HABS documentation.
Physical Location
B2. Small Collections, Box 11. Filed by Pictorial Number.
Collection Available Online
Photographs of the Classroom & Dormitory, Auditorium, and Chapel are available via the Library of Congress website, as are photographs of construction drawings and promotional postcard
- Title
- Finding Aid of the HABS Photographs and Documentation of St. Anthony’s Orphanage Classroom-Dormitory, Auditorium, and Chapel, 1930-1989
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- B. Silbergleit
- Date
- © 2020
- 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