Adobe Homes

The Southwest region of the United States has several very interesting sites for those wanting to explore the world of authentic adobe architecture. Many adobe homes and buildings today are at historical sites from New Mexico to California.

Adobe ruins at Rancho de Taos NM

In an area like the Southwest where building materials were in short supply, settlers of the early 1700's made homes of adobe brick. They used a technique well known in both the New World and Old World. The oldest structures of the Southwest region of the United States still standing are buildings made from adobe used in both homes and Southwest missions. Because wood was generally in very short supply as well as masonry materials, adobe structures were the the choice of early shelters

Making Adobe Bricks

To make adobe, the southwest settlers pulverized soil and added water and typically straw. This made a thick paste. They then molded bricks about four inches thick. These adobe bricks weighed about 40 to 50 pounds each. After building a foundation of uncut stones, the dried adobe bricks were laid in rows and mortared with thick mud. After the mud dried a coat of mud plaster was spread over it. The mud plaster is essentially the same substance used to produce the bricks except without the straw. The roof was made of pine log beams supported by crisscrossed poles. These were then covered by brush for insulation.

An adobe "kiva" fireplace served for both cooking and heating the interior. The floor was usually tamped clay. The family would sleep on the floor and eat their meals off of low tables. Chili peppers and corn were baked outdoors in an earthen oven.

Kiva fireplace

The Spanish Plaza Concept

Spanish settlers in New Mexico built settlements as fortified villages. The adobe homes were built around a plaza with all windows facing inward toward the plaza. The only doors leading out of the one story adobes were made wide enough for only one animal and one person to enter at one time. The fortified plaza concept protected the village from Indian attack. The plaza was usually large enough for the residents to plant gardens and orchards.

There are many Spanish Mission sites where today you can see the fortification walls. These include Mission San Jose and the Alamo Mission in San Antonio Texas.

Surviving Original Adobe Structures

Some of the best authentic adobe structures that survive to this day can be found in New Mexico.What is described as the Oldest House in the U.S. is the De Vargas Street House, located at 215 East De Vargas Street in Santa Fe New Mexico. The adobe house is thought to have been built in 1646. The house is in the Barrio de Analco Historic District and as you can see from the photo has been restored with exterior stucco.

Restored Oldest House in the U.S. at Santa Fe NM

In Ranch de Taos, just a few miles south of the Taos New Mexico, there are several adobe ruins at the site of the San Francisco de Asis Mission Church. The church has been restored beautifully. Adjacent to the church are old adobe ruins which at one time were part of the surrounding settlement.

If you drive to the historic settlement of Puerto de Luna about ten miles south of Santa Rosa New Mexico and Interstate 40 you'll find several authentic adobe structures which today are ruins. While these small houses are empty and greatly deteriorated, you'll still get a good glimpse of what authentic adobe architecture looks like.

Two other excellent sites to see original adobe ruins are Fort Union New Mexico just west of Interstate 25 between Las Vegas NM and Raton NM in the northeast area of the state. At Fort Union you'll also be able to see surviving wagon ruts from the Santa Fe Trail days.

Another is in Pecos NM at the Pecos National Historical Park. Pecos is about 25 miles east/southeast of Santa Fe NM along Interstate 25.

Additional Western Trips photo articles you'll find interesting are the Spanish Mission San Francisco de Asis in Rancho de Taos NM and San Felipe de Neri church and mission in Old Town Albuquerque NM. Also, see our photo article on the Pecos National Historical Park in Pecos NM.

The New Adobe Homes

There is probably no better place where the basic concept of adobe structure has survived than in Santa Fe New Mexico. Not only is the adobe style of architecture used in Santa Fe but is also a significant part of the city's building code. Tucson Arizona is another city with roots steeped in adobe style construction. Sometimes these structures are referred to as Santa Fe Style or Pueblo Style.

Original adobe structure in Puerto de Luna NM

Adobe bricks made of soil and straw deteriorate over time. The vast majority of these original structures have essentially fallen over. Some that have deteriorated have been restored such as in the case several mission churches in New Mexico.

Adobe style homes are comfortable, eco-friendly and are especially practical in dry climates. Adobe/Southwestern style homes are usually one-level and have flat roofs, covered porches. The adobe style homes being built today are essentially made of wood frames covered with stucco. The designs remain the same with round log beam supports on the ceiling which are called "vigas". In the Pueblo Revival architecture of today, the vigas are used more for ornamental rather than for functional weight bearing purposes. Vigas today average 10 inches in diameter and about 15 feet in length.

Many adobe styles are asymmetrical in design with stucco walls over either the wood frame or brick and with  irregularly placed windows.

(Photos from author's private collection)