If you are from the East, you often think of your American roots as English, forgetting Native altogether. Having lived in Florida, and having been to Texas, New Mexico and California enough, we often neglect our Spanish roots. We forget the short stay in New Orleans affected some of the building and planning. Sante Fe residents remind us it was here long before the English or Dutch. Although, they neglect my own St. Augustine. But here is the oldest house, across the road from San Miguel (dubbed the oldest church in the US). Look real close at the shot of the plaque (above) and you can see the coarseness of adobe plaster.
The Edwin Brooks House was the home of painter Fremont Ellis
Two other historic sites are on artsy Canyon Road the Edwin Brooks house, which is next door to the more famous Johnson house is beautiful to see from the outside for its simplicity of design. It is part of the Spanish-Pueblo Revival style that really gives buildings later built in wood and concrete, that kind of proportion and look. A curious wood detail (above right) was handcarved.
Johnson’s wife, Jesucita Montoya, born in Chihuahua, was responsible for the gardens.
The structure is owned and onsite of the Historic Sante Fe Foundation. You cannot get into the hacienda style house, as it has private residents, but the garden, the real beauty is open to the public. You can feel free to sit on the porch structure overlooking the garden.
The visit to this site is easy amongst the commercial venue Canyon Road actually is. So something for free where someone would like you just to appreciate something for itself, is a nice touch. It gives a glimpse into a way of life along Canyon Road that no longer is.
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