Oldest House Museum (De Vargas Street House), Santa Fe
To get a real feel for how folks lived back in the day, swing by 215 East De Vargas Street in Santa Fe 鈥� home to what's claimed to be the oldest house in the U.S. Inside, it's like stepping into a cave, complete with a cozy corner fireplace straight out of Spain. The first floor is original, while the upper floor was reconstructed in the 1920s. Most of the structure is built from adobe brick, which was a Spanish colonial technology, while a few lower wall sections are puddled adobe characteristic of pre-Spanish pueblo dwellings.
The exact birth date of this house is a bit of a mystery, but it's got ties to the Barrio de Analco across the river from the Plaza, where the working-class folks of old Santa Fe lived. Some archaeologists even think bits of this home might have been kicking around before the Spanish showed up, possibly from the late 1700s.
Regardless of the true age, years of calling it the "Oldest House" have become engrained in local lore and evidence from the property proves that the wooden vigas (or ceiling beams) were cut between 1740 and 1767, so this place definitely has some history to it. Plus, it's a key player in the Barrio De Analco Historic District, rubbing shoulders with six other old-timers from way back when.
Tip:
For a bit of contrast, check out the Eldorado Hotel over on 309 West San Francisco Street, to see how flexible the idea of mud construction can be. It's a recent expression of the Santa Fe style, or Spanish-Pueblo Revival style, which has been in vogue since the 1920s. Like most newer buildings in Santa Fe, however, the Eldorado is not real adobe; it simply wears an adobe-style stucco veneer.
The exact birth date of this house is a bit of a mystery, but it's got ties to the Barrio de Analco across the river from the Plaza, where the working-class folks of old Santa Fe lived. Some archaeologists even think bits of this home might have been kicking around before the Spanish showed up, possibly from the late 1700s.
Regardless of the true age, years of calling it the "Oldest House" have become engrained in local lore and evidence from the property proves that the wooden vigas (or ceiling beams) were cut between 1740 and 1767, so this place definitely has some history to it. Plus, it's a key player in the Barrio De Analco Historic District, rubbing shoulders with six other old-timers from way back when.
Tip:
For a bit of contrast, check out the Eldorado Hotel over on 309 West San Francisco Street, to see how flexible the idea of mud construction can be. It's a recent expression of the Santa Fe style, or Spanish-Pueblo Revival style, which has been in vogue since the 1920s. Like most newer buildings in Santa Fe, however, the Eldorado is not real adobe; it simply wears an adobe-style stucco veneer.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Santa Fe. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Oldest House Museum (De Vargas Street House) on Map
Sight Name: Oldest House Museum (De Vargas Street House)
Sight Location: Santa Fe, USA (See walking tours in Santa Fe)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Santa Fe, USA (See walking tours in Santa Fe)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Create Your Own Walk in Santa Fe
Creating your own self-guided walk in Santa Fe is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches
In Santa Fe, there's no shortage of religious sites fit to impress. Some of the local churches date back as far as the foundation of the city itself. As you immerse in their hallowed halls, prepare yourself to be enraptured by their architectural and spiritual splendor.
One such venerable place is undoubtedly the San Miguel Mission. The oldest church in the United States, it was built... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
One such venerable place is undoubtedly the San Miguel Mission. The oldest church in the United States, it was built... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Canyon Road Art and Architecture Tour
Whether your interest lies in art, architecture, history or food, you'll be able to satisfy it fully on Canyon Road. Situated just east of the Santa Fe Plaza, Canyon Road is home of Santa Fe's thriving art market selling artwork from both famed and indie artists. There are over 100 art galleries dotted along the one-mile street, making it the third largest art market in the country.
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Santa Fe Introduction Walking Tour
Santa Fe's full name is La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asis, or "The Royal Town of the Holy Faith of Saint Francis of Assisi." Thankfully, everyone sticks with "Santa Fe" for simplicity's sake.
The area has been settled for several thousand years, first by the native Puebloan cultures. The Tewa people called the town Ogha Po'oge , which... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
The area has been settled for several thousand years, first by the native Puebloan cultures. The Tewa people called the town Ogha Po'oge , which... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles