Book Review - Historic Photos
of Albuquerque
Book by Sandra Fye, Published by Turner Publishing. Review by Nancy J. Reid

 It is said a picture is worth a thousand words, and once again, Turner Publishing with the help of author Sandra Fye, has put together an amazing volume of photos depicting the everyday life and evolution of Albuquerque, New Mexico over a span of two centuries.

It is a collection of well-chosen, uniquely different photographs accompanied by concise captions that take you back to the early days of this dynamic city. The book is divided into four sections; the Railroad Boom Years (1880-1899); Chief City of a New Empire (1900-1919); Tourism Brings Changes and Celebrities (1920-1939); and War, Airplanes, and Route 66 (1940-1980).

Some of the photos I found the most intriguing:

1880-1899: A photo showing Native American Indians in full headdresses while other men stand around the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Company depot wearing suits, rounded bowler style hats and long handle-bar mustaches. Also in this section is a picture of Albuquerque's first balloon flight taken during the Territorial Fair of 1882 on July 4. The Elite Saloon owner, ‘Professor: Park Van Tassel’ ascended from a vacant lot. He reached an altitude of 14,207 feet and landed in an Old Town cornfield. A picture of The Boss Saloon gambling and concert hall where railroad workers and cowboys relaxed brings that era alive, as does a photo of a typical adobe residence. Surprisingly enough, there is even a picture of a women's football team from the University.

1900-1919: There are three great photos of the Elks Burlesque Circus Parade that include a clown in a horse cart, two people in a giraffe costume flanked by a clown on a donkey and a man in a Turkish costume; and a wagon with a gun toting women that carries a "Miss Annie Oakley" banner on it. Not amusing but also interesting is a photo of the Barelas Bridge destroyed by the floodwaters of the Rio Grand. There is a picture of an Arbor Day Celebration taken in front of the University of New Mexico in April of 1903, with women and men holding shovels and getting ready to plant trees--this shows a caring about the environment and forward thinking. There is a beautiful photo of two Native American girls selling pottery at the railroad station in 1905, showing the effects of tourism on the people in the area.

1920-1939: The San Ignacio Catholic Church in Martineztown, which still stands today, is a beautifully quaint building. There is a surprising photo of Rin Tin Tin with his owner, Lee Duncan, at the train depot. Rin Tin Tin was a five-day old puppy when Corporal Lee Duncan found him in a bombed war dog kennel in France on September 5, 1918. Rin Tin Tin made 26 movies for Warner Brothers and was considered one of Hollywood's top stars--very nostalgic for those of us who have seen that series. Also nostalgic is the largest soda fountain in New Mexico, at the Albuquerque Pharmacy. This section has a lot of cars and aircraft photos, including one of Amelia Earhart in front of a T.A.T. Tri-motor airplane taken one year after she became the first woman to make an Atlantic Ocean air crossing, as a passenger.

1940-1980: It is interesting to see a photo of a traffic jam of what are now considered vintage cars, on the 100 block of N. Second Street in downtown Albuquerque. There is a dramatic photo showing a student protesting the Vietnam War in 1972, by placing flowers in the tear gas loaded guns of the National Guard, taken in front of the University of New Mexico. There are lots of route 66 photos, roadside diners and a great picture of long distance operators at Mountain States Telephone Company taken in 1953.

All of the sections are fascinating and do a superb job of walking you through the growth, expansion, good times and bad times of Albuquerque. A mentioned goal of the publisher is that one will feel compelled to "reflect as they explore Albuquerque, stroll along its streets, or wander its neighborhoods", and that "longtime residents will learn something new and that new residents will gain a perspective on where Albuquerque has been, so that each can contribute to its future." I think the book does that and more. I think it will encourage others to visit Albuquerque with a sense of purpose, and a knowledge of where to go and what to look for, to get the most out of their visit.

For more about Turner Publishing, or to purchase ‘Historic Photos of Albuquerque – Click here.