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Bridgers & Paxton Records

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-0010

Abstract

The collection holds two boxes of business files and one framed newspaper article regarding the Bridgers & Paxton engineering firm. The firm, still in existence in 2019, created and utilized the Solar Building at 213 Truman Street SE in Albuquerque, NM. The Solar Building finished construction in August of 1956, becoming the first active solar heated commercial building in the world. Bridgers & Paxton devised the mechanical system that made their new headquarters. The office was featured in both Life and Popular Mechanics in 1956 and 1957. Though the Solar Building was successfully able to heat and cool itself in the winter and summer, by the mid-1960s the low fuel costs in the United States alongside an addition to the engineering firm made the additional construction costs for the solar heating untenable and after that the solar heating system was never utilized again.

Box 1 holds information on the Historic Solar Building, solar energy techniques, Bridgers & Paxton business files, publications, and files on projects in the United States. Box 2 holds personal data and correspondence for Frank Bridgers, his accomplishments, personal and business awards, and obituaries and retirement information for Bridgers and staff at Bridgers & Paxton Engineering Firm.

Dates

  • 1964 - 2001

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

None

Conditions Governing Use

Limited duplication allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Extent

6 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Title
Inventory of the Bridgers & Paxton Records, 1964-2001
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Special Collections Library Repository

Contact:
Special Collections Library
The Public Library, Albuquerque and Bernalillo County
423 Central Ave NE
Albuquerque NM 87102 USA
505.848.1376