Nob Hill, Albuquerque, New Mexico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nob Hill
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Neighborhood of Albuquerque
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Street fair in Nob Hill, 2010
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Bernalillo |
| City | Albuquerque |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.96 sq mi (2.5 km2) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 4,767 |
| • Density | 4,952.7/sq mi (1,912.2/km2) |
| ZIP Code |
87106, 87108, 87110
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| Area code(s) | 505 |
Nob Hill is a cool neighborhood in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It has a busy shopping area along Central Avenue. This road used to be part of the famous U.S. Route 66. Around this area are homes where people live.
It's right next to the University of New Mexico. Nob Hill was built between 1925 and 1950. Today, it's a popular spot for tourists and shoppers. People love Nob Hill for its unique, local shops and fun places. It's known as the "heart of Albuquerque's Route 66 culture." The neighborhood got its name from Nob Hill in San Francisco, California.
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Where is Nob Hill Located?
Nob Hill is found in Albuquerque. Its borders are Lomas Boulevard to the north and Washington Street to the east. To the south are Garfield Avenue and Zuni Road. Girard Boulevard is its western border.
The main roads in Nob Hill are Central Avenue and Carlisle Boulevard. These roads divide the neighborhood into four parts. The eastern side is sometimes called "Upper Nob Hill." This helps tell it apart from the busier western area.
Nob Hill includes six smaller areas called subdivisions. These are Monte Vista, College View, Broadmoor, Mesa Grande, Granada Heights, and part of University Heights. Two of these, Monte Vista and College View, are special. They are listed together on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites.
History of Nob Hill
Nob Hill started to grow in the mid-1920s. This was when Albuquerque began to expand east along Central Avenue. The first part of the neighborhood was planned in 1906. It was part of the University Heights Addition. Homes started to be built there in the late 1920s.
A local businessman named D.K.B. Sellers helped develop this area. He even served as mayor. In 1916, Sellers built a water tank on a large hill. This was to give water to the new homes. He wanted to make his development sound exciting. So, he named the hill "Nob Hill" after a fancy area in San Francisco, California. A photo from 1937 shows Sellers with a big "Nob Hill" sign in an empty desert.
Early Development and Schools
On the north side of Central Avenue, the Monte Vista Addition was planned in 1926. A person named William Leverett designed it. The streets were laid out in a unique way because of the land. They curved around two diagonal roads, Campus and Monte Vista.
Leverett also set aside land for a public elementary school. He wanted to attract families to live there. Monte Vista Elementary School opened in 1930. It was only the second elementary school on the East Mesa. It is still open today and is also on the National Register of Historic Places. By 1930, over 100 houses were built in Monte Vista. Other parts of Nob Hill, like Granada Heights and College View, were also developed around this time.
Route 66 and Shopping Boom
Nob Hill's shopping area grew in the 1930s. This was because more people were moving into the area. Also, more travelers were using Central Avenue. This road became even more important in 1937. That's when it was named U.S. Route 66.
Both travelers and local people needed places to shop and stay. So, many different businesses opened. These included motels like the Aztec Motel (1932) and De Anza Motor Lodge (1939). There was also the Lobo Theater (1938) and Jones Motor Company (1939).
In 1947, a developer named Robert Waggoman built something new. He created Albuquerque's first modern shopping center. It was called Nob Hill Business Center. It was at Central and Carlisle. Some people thought it was too far from downtown. They called it "Waggoman's Folly." But soon, more shops opened. Nob Hill became one of the city's best shopping spots.
Changes and Comeback
In the 1960s, Nob Hill's shops faced challenges. New, big shopping malls were built in other parts of Albuquerque. Also, Interstate 40 was completed. This new highway let travelers bypass Central Avenue. This meant fewer tourists came through Nob Hill.
However, Nob Hill started to get popular again in the 1980s. People began to appreciate its special history and Route 66 charm. Many buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places. By the mid-1990s, the main shopping area was busy again. Property values also started to go up. Today, city planners are working to improve other parts of Nob Hill as well.
Fun Places to Visit
Nob Hill has a cool mix of shops, art galleries, bars, and restaurants. Many of these are owned by local people. There are also some well-known chain stores. For a long time, most of the shops were west of Carlisle. But now, new businesses are opening further east along Central Avenue.
Historic Spots to See
Nob Hill is home to many places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are important historical buildings and sites. Some of them include:
- De Anza Motor Lodge
- Hendren Building
- Immanuel Presbyterian Church
- Jones Motor Company (also a city landmark!)
- William J. Leverett House
- Modern Auto Court
- Monte Vista Elementary School
- Monte Vista Fire Station
- Nob Hill Business Center
Getting Around Nob Hill
You can get around Nob Hill using local buses. ABQ RIDE offers several routes. These include the 66 Central, 97 Zuni, and 16/18 Broadway-University-Gibson routes. There is also a Rapid Ride station at Central and Carlisle. This offers express bus service on the 766 Red Line and 777 Green Line.
