U.S. Courthouse, Albuquerque, NM

Location: 421 Gold Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

The Federal Building and District Courthouse on Gold Street in Albuquerque is the only downtown structure which salutes the heritage of the Indian culture of the Southwest. It is the second Federal building to be built in Albuquerque and derives much significance from its longevity of use as a Federal Government building. James Wetmore is listed on the cornerstone as the architect, however, he was the Architect of the Treasury, and probably did not design the building since he was not a trained architect.

Adding to the historical significance of the building are two murals painted under the auspices of GSA’s Art-in-Architecture program. The walls above the elevator doors on the first floor are covered by a mural, painted by Loren Mozley, depicting the Indian uprising of 1680 (also known as the Pueblo Revolt). A less imposing mural is to the right of the District Court Room entry doors on the sixth floor. It is entitled “Uphold the Right” and was painted by Emil Bistron, founder of the Taos School of Art. It depicts several positive symbolic images of teaching and building, separated from negative images of poverty and crime by various religious and legal symbols.

Of primary historical significance is the sixth floor District Court room. From the time the building was built until 1966, the sixth floor housed judicial offices, a law library and the federal court room. After 1966, this area served as Civil Service offices with the court room being used as an examination room. The ceiling was lowered and all distinctive fixtures of the court room compromised. In 1981 the District Court was restored to its original appearance and function. See zone 1C for a complete description of this area.

Presently the building houses a number of Federal agency offices in addition to the sixth floor District Court complex.

Facts

• Architect: Wetmore, James A.
• Construction Date: 1930 
• GSA Building Number: NM0502AQ
• National Register of Historic Places Landmark Status: National Register Listed