The past 100 years

From The Santa Fe New Mexican: Nov. 19, 1917: Surprisingly successful was the first attempt since the summer school three years ago at continually singing, yesterday afternoon. Almost 400 people, mostly adults, gathered in the St. Francis auditorium of the new museum and under the leadership of Mrs. Ralph M. Henderson, with Mrs. George H. Van Stone at the piano, assisted by a volunteer choir, joined lustily in the singing of “America,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and “The Star Spangled Banner.” The words and music were thrown upon a screen, but the characters were not large enough for many people to read readily, and while by the next meeting, better slides will be made, The New Mexican will in the meanwhile, print the words of the three songs, one each evening, and also “Our Flag is Over there,” so people may clip them and learn the words by heart.

Nov. 19, 1967: Reiterating the Urban Renewal Agency’s willingness to move a building from its present address at 238 W. De Vargas to another location within the project area, URA Board Chairman Frank Gomez issued a reply Friday to a report the Old Santa Fe Association has taken to Washington its appeal for preservation of the structure.

The brick-veneered adobe building, according to OSFA Chairman Rex Arrowsmith, may be 200 or more years old, and is possibly one the original torreones which served as ammunition storage and lookout towers in the early 1700s prior to its becoming a residence later in its history.

Tree ring samples from vigas in the building area currently being studied to determine the exact age of the building.

Nov. 19, 1992: Santa Feans would like to see more narrow streets lined with trees and shrubbery — roads like Canyon Road and Paseo de Peralta — and are adamantly opposed to billboards and roads like Agua Fria, Cerrillos and Airport.

Those are among residents’ opinions cited in a draft report of a city-sponsored survey of visual preferences for the future of Santa Fe.