Signs of the Times in Santa Fe
By David Moore
15 Oct 2007
Santa Fe, New Mexico is a schizophrenic place. The city of history and culture enjoyed by its many visitors is very different from the city of high rents and unreliable services experienced by its inhabitants.
The manically-imposed architectural consistency that reigns in the downtown area means swanky new hotels have to be donned in 'fauxdobe' clothes to look old. Meanwhile, in the rapidly-growing south end of town, big box store follows generic chain hotel in a sad procession all the way to the freeway.
Between the two extremes is the upper end of Cerrillos Road - once the edge of town - where a string of old motels and restaurants sit opposite the Indian School.
Route 66 passes through New Mexico south of here, but the signs capture that era, showing that building with a contemporary aesthetic leaves a more lasting mark than faking an older style or ignoring design altogether could ever achieve. Let's hope they're here to stay.
More Photo Essays
More stories by David Moore
The World comes to Santa Fe
Photo Essay — 31 Jul 2008
The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market is the largest folk art market in the world.
