De Anza Motor Lodge

4301 E. Central
Phone:

East < GO > West

The De Anza Motor Lodge with 30 units and garages was built in 1939 as a lavish motel covering an entire city block. At the time it was the largest motor court along East Central Avenue. It was named after the territorial governor who saved the Hopi pueblo from starvation. The City of Albuquerque purchased the closed motel in 2003 and it is being rehabilitated and repurposed.

According to a listing in the 1959/60 AAA Tour Book the De Anza had grown to 73 units, probably at least partly through the common practice of converting garages into guest units.

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Vintage Advertising Highlights

(50s Postcard ?)
(Front)
De Anza Motor Lodge
4301 East Central Avenue, on U.S. 66
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

(Back of Card)
De Anza
Named after Lieutenant Colonel Juan Batista de Anza who was the Governor of New Mexico, 1778 - 1789.
Designed to please the discriminating guest. Offering in Albuquerque to the motorist modern convenience and satisfying comfort. Telephone in every room.

(Mid-60s Postcard)
(Front)
De Anza Motor Lodge
Member The Best Western Mote;s
4301 Central Avenue East at Washington
On U.S. 66
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Phone 255-****

(Back of Card)
De Anza
Lieutenant Colonel Juan Batista de Anza was the Spanish Governor of New Mexico from 1778 to 1789 and was also the first white man to cross into Upper California overland by way of Southern Arizona and over the Colorado River. While Governor of New Mexico he headed a troop of soldiers that defeated and killed the notorious Chief Cuerno Verde of the Commaches. He also led an expedition to the relief of the starving Hopis in 1780. (1n 1775 the Hopi population was decreased by an epidemic of smallpox, to 798.)

1959/60 AAA Tour Book Listing & Ad
De Anza Motor Lodge
4301 Central Ave. N. E.
"The Travellers Home of Distinction in Albuquerque"
73 units.
$7 - 10.00.
An inviting well managed court on spacious grounds. Large well furnished rooms have telephones, TV, air-conditioning, and shower or combination baths. Connecting units. Pets allowed. Phone ALpine 5-xxx

NOTE: The Tour Book gives more information about the motel than the mid-60s postcard does, but the postcard shares some history of Lieutenant Colonel Juan Batista de Anza. The first postcard mentions a phone in every room.
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Photo(s): 2015