Nestled between the bustling Downtown Plaza and the tranquil arroyos just east of Santa Fe’s heart, Historic Hillside is a neighborhood where every adobe and stone seems to whisper a tale. Recognized today for its layers of cultural history, winding streets, and breathtaking views, this enclave offers a living connection to Santa Fe’s earliest days. As a longtime resident, I am often reminded why Historic Hillside remains so special—a place where heritage isn’t an artifact, but a daily presence.
Origins of the Hillside
The roots of Historic Hillside stretch back to the late 17th and early 18th centuries, woven into the larger narrative of Santa Fe’s evolution. Shortly after the Pueblo Revolt and the Spanish return to the region, settlers began building homes along the gentle slopes northeast of the newly re-established Plaza. The area’s terrain—a series of rolling hills rising above the city—offered both strategic views and natural drainage, making it ideal for early construction.
The neighborhood’s name, “Hillside,” naturally references these slopes. Oral history and city records suggest the moniker was in common use by the late 1800s, denoting the cluster of homes straddling what is now Hillside Avenue, with boundaries loosely defined by East Palace Avenue to the south, Artist Road to the north, and Canyon Road to the east. These hills both challenged the original builders and gifted them panoramic glimpses of the Sangre de Cristo mountains—a feature still treasured by residents today.
Key Historical Milestones
- Spanish Colonial Legacy (1700s): Early settlers introduced adobe construction, terrace gardens, and acequia (irrigation ditch) systems. Fragments of these ancient acequias can still be found snaking through alleys and gardens, quietly sustaining shade trees and flowerbeds.
- The Territorial Period (mid-1800s): As U.S. influence grew, the Hillside saw the addition of territorial-style homes, blending Greek Revival details with adobe forms. Streets like Acequia Madre and Upper Palace Avenue displayed this mixed heritage. Many of these homes boast hand-carved doors and corbels, some of which are still admired today.
- Artists and the Creative Renaissance (1920s): The influx of artists like Olive Rush and Will Shuster brought a new spirit to Hillside’s meandering lanes. Studios and small galleries blossomed, particularly along Canyon Road and within walking distance of Hillside Avenue. Their legacy lingers in the gracious gardens and colorfully painted gates.
- Modern Preservation Efforts (1970s-present): Recognizing Hillside’s unique architectural and historical fabric, local advocates pushed for preservation zoning. The result is a neighborhood where historic covenants protect both the integrity and the character of the built environment.
Notable Landmarks and Buildings
Walking through Historic Hillside, several landmarks anchor its sense of place:
- The Randall Davey House: Located off Upper Canyon Road, this historic estate was acquired by artist Randall Davey in 1919. Today, the property houses the Audubon Center, but many don’t realize its adobe core dates back to a 19th-century mill and religious retreat long before Davey’s arrival.
- The Acequia Madre House: Just a short walk from Hillside Avenue, this adobe home was built in the 1920s by Eva Scott Fényi, a European émigré and author. It now serves as the headquarters of the Women’s International Study Center, offering glimpses into both Santa Fe’s matriarchal history and architectural ingenuity.
- Hillside Park: This beloved community space along Hillside Avenue is more than a patch of greenery—it’s a crossroads where annual fiestas, neighborhood potlucks, and impromptu gatherings happen under cottonwood trees that have stood for generations. The park’s simple benches offer some of the best sunset views in town.
Streets, Parks, and Institutions
Navigating Historic Hillside, you’ll discover:
- Hillside Avenue: The neighborhood’s main artery, rising steeply from East Palace Avenue. This street showcases a mix of original adobes and sensitively restored casitas.
- Upper and Lower Agua Fria Streets: Tracing the path of an ancient stream, these streets recall the neighborhood’s agricultural beginnings. Some stretches are so narrow they can barely accommodate a car—remnants of their mule-cart days.
- Santa Fe Children’s Museum: Perched on Old Pecos Trail, at the Hillside’s southern edge, the museum serves as a hub for learning and play, continuing the neighborhood’s tradition of nurturing creativity.
How Hillside Has Evolved
While Historic Hillside has fiercely protected its past, it’s no museum piece. Over the decades, it has welcomed waves of newcomers—artists, scholars, doctors, and young families—each adding new threads to its tapestry.
Gentrification pressures have transformed some homes into gracious bed and breakfasts or vacation rentals, but tight preservation laws and active neighborhood associations have kept the area’s essential spirit intact. Retaining its “village within a city” feeling, Hillside remains pedestrian-friendly, with neighbors often meeting each other on twilight walks, pausing to chat over low orchard walls, or gathering for open studios during Santa Fe’s annual festivals.
The commitment to preservation—aided by the Historic Santa Fe Foundation—means that modern renovations skillfully blend old and new. Solar panels now peek out from behind curved parapets, and ancient irrigation channels continue to water heritage fruit trees. Mothers walk their children to nature-based preschools, just blocks from homes nearly three centuries old.
What Makes Historic Hillside Special
For me, and for so many longtime residents, Historic Hillside’s enduring magic lies in its ongoing conversation between past and present.
- Its streets are stories—each turn recalling Pueblo, Spanish, Territorial, and Art Colony chapters of Santa Fe’s evolution.
- Its parks and plazas foster a strong sense of community, even as the wider world changes.
- Its mix of architectural styles—humble adobes beside elegant mansions—tells the story of a city where creativity meets tradition.
Whether you’re admiring the lilacs blooming along a sun-washed wall, listening to the acequias after a summer rain, or attending a poetry reading in a converted carriage house, Historic Hillside is proof that Santa Fe’s history is not just preserved, but lived, every day.