The land known as the Barelas community was originally settled by the Tiwa people around 1250. The Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, also known as the “Royal Road,” was a trade route that ran from Mexico City as far north as Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo and ran through what is now the Barelas community. The settlement of Barelas was established in 1662 by the colonial governor of Spanish New Mexico, Diego de Peñalosa, but was thought to have been named after local landowner, Pedro Varela who owned a ranch in the area. It was originally established as an agricultural community with a population of approximately 300 people.

The Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroads reached Albuquerque in 1880 and set up the Santa Fe Railway Shops, which was one of four maintenance facilities throughout the U.S for steam locomotives. Barelas grew rapidly with the presence of the railroad, and the local economy pivoted from largely agricultural to railroad-related industries. By 1900, 1,200 people lived in Barelas, many of whom worked for the railroad. In 1926, Fourth Street was designated part of the original U.S. Route 66, and during that time, it became an arterial road where restaurants, service stations and garages lined the street, catering to travelers and residents in the area.

In 1937, Route 66 was rerouted East/West along what is now Central Avenue, and in the 1950s Interstate 25 was built, drawing traffic away from 4th Street. In addition to this, the transition from steam locomotives to diesel in the late 1950s caused a steady decline of activity at the Rail Yards. Jobs were gradually eliminated until the facility closed completely in the 1980s. The loss of jobs negatively affected the neighborhood’s ability to sustain businesses along the Fourth Street corridor. In 1974, the city of Albuquerque closed off Fourth Street traffic downtown to build Civic Plaza, cutting the road off from the rest of the city.

The Barelas community has remained resilient throughout the years, its generational residents holding on dearly to centuries of stories and traditions. The commercial corridor of Fourth Street is in the midst of a revival, led by residents, community groups, businesses both old and new, and institutions that call this vibrant neighborhood “home.”

THIS PROJECT IS DEDICATED TO THE
RESIDENTS OF BARELAS

100% of this project was sourced locally.
Thank you to the following community partners:

UKUU Creative
Chris Burnett
Ren Adams
Bobby Gutierrez Photography
A Good Sign Printing
Barelas Community Coalition
Historic Albuquerque, Inc.

This project was funded by a grant from the Albuquerque Community Foundation.

THIS PROJECT IS DEDICATED TO THE
RESIDENTS OF BARELAS

100% of this project was sourced locally.
Thank you to the following community partners:

UKUU Creative
Chris Burnett
Ren Adams
Bobby Gutierrez Photography
A Good Sign Printing
Barelas Community Coalition
Historic Albuquerque, Inc.

This project was funded by a grant from the Albuquerque Community Foundation.