NM History: Mud and Straw for These Walls

Santa Fe is a city of old. There is history along every turn. It was settled officially in 1609 as a capital, which makes it the oldest in North America. The famous San Miguel Chapel is the nation’s oldest church. And, a small adobe house on De Vargas St is said to be one of the oldest homes.

Regardless of it’s claim to fame, the history of this house is long and curious!

Some say the mud and straw adobe house was built in the late 1500s, in an area settled by Native American servants who arrived in Santa Fe with Don Juan de Oñate.

The area became a separate ward, or barrio, for the Native Americans. The above mentioned San Miguel Mission was also said to be built by the same servants in that barrio. The actual origins of the house seem to be lost, however.

Despite the questioning origination of this long-standing structure though, the history of its uses are far from forgotten.

The home became a temporary residence for the Spanish Territorial Governor Chacon Medina Salazar from 1709-1710 while repairs were being made to the San Miguel Church, due to the Great Pueblo Rebellion.

By the late 1800s, genizaros (acculturated plains Indians) such as the Apaches and Navajos, as well as the families of Spanish soldiers were living in the Barrio. Up until the 1920s the Oldest House was continually occupied by people representing all the cultures of Santa Fe.

The structure, built of a mixture of dirt, rock, and straw, has stood the test of time. Even our modern day homes couldn’t withstand the turmoil, weather, and occupancy this home has endured.

Aside from the size of the home and lack of modern amenities, it is strikingly similar to some New Mexico homes of today that are still occupied by Native Americans.

Modern Pueblo Revival homes take their cue from structures like the Oldest House. Standout carry-over features include thick adobe-style walls, kiva fireplaces, built-in banco benches, viga and latilla ceilings, and plaster walls.