That microscopic, yet loyal set of Better Burque readers were last left hanging on their collected seat (they’re good at sharing a single seat) by news from 52 years ago that Albuquerque Public Schools almost, very nearly built its central, premier high school way out west overlooking the town from just east from what is… Read More This Just In, Circa-1972: New AHS Site and Emmanuel Schifani

Who says there’s not “Breaking News” when looking back at history? This just in…from 1972: Albuquerque High School came damn close to getting built west of the Rio Grande, “on a westside bluff which overlooks the river, the city, and the Sandia Mountains,” as depicted in this ever so gloriously hand-drawn map from the front-page… Read More News Flash 1972: New Albuquerque High to be built west of the River

I’ve been looking into the entreprenurial career and life of ABQ’s Joseph “Joe” Barnett recently, a name perhaps even you long-time Burqueños have never run across. To illustrate his importance to our town, and as a bit of backward storytelling, let’s first catch you up on the entirety of Mr. Barnett’s life via this Journal… Read More The Joseph Barnett Story: Obit Edition

As many area walkers/cyclists and zero golfers know, there’s a bike/ped overpass of I-40 at the Los Altos Golf Course/Pool. Did you know the original reason for this overpass had nothing to do with walkers or cyclists? I’ll let the caption of this Albuquerque Journal June 12, 1960 photo explain. If the wording above doesn’t… Read More History Behind Los Altos Bike/Ped Bridge Over I-40

Last time out, we started the story of Albuquerque’s multi-faceted pre and post-Statehood entrepreneur Joseph “Joe” Barnett with his 1900s ownership of the St. Elmo Saloon at 114 W. Railroad (now Central) Avenue. Today we walk, perhaps stumble a bit given the heady offerings, a few buildings west to 124 W. Railroad and the White… Read More George Neher, Joe Barnett, and the White Elephant Saloon

Doing a bit of personal research on Albuquerque Downtown (‘New Town”) entrepreneur Joseph Barnett and the nightlife transition from saloons to movie houses that took place before and after New Mexico’s statehood. Instead of a single, comprehensive look, let’s “blog this thing” and keep 2024 attention spans in mind. Joseph “Joe” Barnett did a great… Read More Joseph Barnett and the St. Elmo Saloon