Downtown Albuquerque Walking Tours Indefinitely Paused
The Albuquerque Historical Society has indefinitely paused the free Saturday morning Downtown Albuquerque Walking Tours between 1st and 8th streets. Tours began in 2014 and had hundreds of participants from around New Mexico, the US and around the world. At one time some 13 volunteers were trained as guides who used a “before and after” picture book and told many stories about buildings, events, people. Guides were faithful in 100 degree weather, snow, wind and rain!
There was excellent cooperation with downtown businesses including Lindy’s and Hotel Andaluz which allowed “restroom stops”. Some of the favorite stops were Maisels’s Trading Post, KiMo Theater, Man’s Hat Shop and the Hotel Andaluz. The fallout shelter sign at 2nd & Central was an eye catcher along with various murals.
COVID stopped tours for almost two full years (2020-2021). Now there are more vacant buildings and closed businesses. The increasing challenge of homeless people and encampments have changed the personality of downtown Central. Although efforts are underway to help with this, the planning team for the Downtown Walking Tours have decided to “pause” the tours until conditions change downtown.
Funds to pay for the training and “picture books” came from the City of Albuquerque’s Urban Enhancement Trust Fund in 2014. AHS thanks Diane Schaller and Richard Ruddy from Historic Albuquerque Inc. for the initial training about downtown development and business history.
We still offer a presentation through our Speakers Bureau entitled “The Downtown Walking Tour: For People Who Prefer to Sit”. Roland Penttila has created a PowerPoint slide show of the walking tour for people who can’t stand for two hours or walk the ¾ mile distance. It is all the knowledge the tour contains without the steps. It is a perfect alternative for those unable to get around. The presentation lasts about 90 minutes. The presentation tells about Central Avenue (previously Railroad Avenue) and the changes that occurred when the railroad came to town in 1880 all the way up to the present day. The history is supported with vintage photos of the buildings–many of which no longer exist. For more information or to schedule a presentation visit our Speakers Bureau page.