Ever since humans took up farming and it made sense to stay put in one area, we have constructed structures for living and working (however that was defined at the time). Luckily enough for those of us who love history, several of the oldest buildings in New Mexico are still standing – providing us with the opportunity to take a peek into the past.

1. Ancestral Puebloan Dwellings (~750 AD)
725 Ruins Rd, Aztec, NM 87410, USA
Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, USA
Gallo Cliff Dwelling, Nageezi, NM 87037, USA
mksfca/Flickr
New Mexico has a wealth of Ancient Pueblo dwellings like those at Aztec Ruins, Chaco Canyon (shown), and the Gallo Cliff Dwellings. Though abandoned, the remains of these early communities are well preserved and give us a glimpse into the lives of the earliest "settlers" of New Mexico.
2. Acoma Pueblo (Built between 1000 and 1200)
Acoma Pueblo, NM 87034, USA
DebbiJo99 /TripAdvisor
Legend describes Acoma Pueblo as "the place that always was," however, archeological evidence indicates that the Acoma People have inhabited this mesa since 1100 A.D. This community, set atop a 357-foot high mesa, was established in this location primarily because the mesa was easy to defend.
3. Taos Pueblo (Built between 1000 and 1450)
Taos Pueblo, NM, USA
Elisa.rolle/Wikimedia Commons
People have lived at the Taos Pueblos for the last one thousand years. The buildings at this UNESCO World Heritage Site have achieved iconic status, with their thick adobe walls, vigas, and ladders to allow movement between the different stories. You can explore this landmark on your own, but guides are also available for short, informative tours.

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4. Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe (1610)
Santa Fe Plaza, 63 Lincoln Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
No Attribution/Wikimedia Commons
This is the oldest continually-used government building in the nation. Built around 1610, the building served as the capitol in Spanish Colonial times and also when New Mexico became a territory. Over the centuries, it has seen a lot of history including being seized during the Pueblo Revolt and then by the Confederates during the Civil War. Today, befitting its longevity, the building is a state history museum. It's located in Santa Fe Plaza.
5. San Miguel Mission, Santa Fe (1610)
401 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
Mindy M./TripAdvisor
San Miguel Mission (or San Miguel Chapel) is said to be the oldest church in the United States. The original adobe walls and altar were built by the Tlaxcalan Indians who came from Mexico with Juan de Onate. It originally served the Indians and the soldiers and laborers who lived in the Analco Barrio. It was partially destroyed during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 but was rebuilt. The present building dates from 1710, although it has undergone significant structural changes.
6. De Vargas Street House, Santa Fe (1646)
215 E De Vargas St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
TravelingFreeWoman/TripAdvisor
Built in 1646, this structure at 215 East De Vargas Street in Santa Fe is the oldest house in New Mexico, and in fact may be the oldest house in the United States. Located in the old Analco Barrio, almost across the street from the San Miguel Chapel, this structure housed a cross-section of Santa Fe society, from Mexican Indians and soldiers to Christian Brothers. It even temporarily housed a territorial governor. Today, the west part of the structure is the "Oldest House."
7. Albuquerque Old Town (1706)
Old Town, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USA
Jacqueline07_69/TripAdvisor
While not a specific "building," Albuquerque's Old Town Plaza was laid out by early Spanish colonists. As you stroll among the 10 or so blocks of historic buildings, (most built between 1870 and 1900), look for the hidden and unique architectural details that speak to the area's early history. The San Felipe de Neri Church, on the Plaza, however, does date to the Spanish Colonial period, and is one of the oldest buildings in Albuquerque.

How many of these oldest buildings have you seen? Can you imagine yourself living or working there ages ago? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Oldest Buildings in New Mexico

Meghan Byers | May 20, 2022

What are the oldest restaurants in New Mexico?

El Farol, a tapas restaurant established in 1835, claims the title of oldest restaurant in New Mexico. Located in Santa Fe – the oldest state capital in the country – stepping inside El Farol’s doors feels like stepping back into the past. The restaurant also hosts flamenco shows, keeping alive a tradition that dates back at least as far as the late 1700s.

El Farol may be the oldest, but New Mexico is full of historic restaurants. High Noon Restaurant and Saloon in Albuquerque is housed in a building from the 1700s with the ghost stories to match. For a taste of the Wild West, visit The Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House in Pinos Altos, in a building which was constructed in the 1860s. Or grab a shake and a burger at Hillsboro General Store Cafe, which has gone through several incarnations as various businesses for the last 130 years.

What are some other historic landmarks in New Mexico?

With 46 historic landmarks in New Mexico, there’s no shortage of history to explore. From historic districts and plazas to the site of the first detonation of a nuclear weapon, New Mexico has a well-established place of importance in United States and even world history. Step deep into the past at Acoma Pueblo, where people have lived since at least 1100 A.D. Explore more recent history and get a glimpse of the Old West in the Lincoln Historic District. Well-traveled destinations like Santa Fe Plaza are worth a look, but don’t forget to search out some of the more underappreciated historic sites in New Mexico.

What are some historic towns in New Mexico?

Historic towns in New Mexico range from examples of Route 66’s colorful heyday in the 1940s and ‘50s, to the Spanish colonial history of the 1600s. As mentioned, Lincoln is a great place to visit if you’re interested in the age of cowboys and outlaws. Billy the Kid was even involved in the Lincoln County War. The town of Socorro’s history goes all the way back to the early 1600s, and you’ll also find later examples of Victorian architecture here. Meanwhile the town of Taos, just south of the UNESCO World Heritage site Taos Pueblo, has historic homes dating back to the 1700s.

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