29 Camino de la Ciruela

Property is associated with a pre-revolt Pueblo. An archeological report is available for a study done on the Ojo Cuchillo site prior to construction of a neighboring home. Pottery shards and knapped flakes are found on the property. The house was made into its present placita (plaza) configuration in the mid 1800’s by Juan Armijo, who came from Algodones. The home, which housed the Armijo family as well as those who worked for him, was constructed of adobe and rock as a self-contained placita as defense against bandits and raiding Comanches. At one time there was a trading post in the house. Juan entertained important people travelling between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, including Lew Wallace, author of “Ben Hur” and one time NM governor.

Juan’s heirs divided the property (the property line went through the enclosed patio, dividing the house as well.) In the 1930’s, one part was sold for taxes to William Pierce, who again ran a store, the Placitas Trading Post. He had a large chicken farm as well. Pierce was a fine craftsman, and made improvements to the house, including indoor plumbing (which didn’t come for the rest of the village until 1942.) His cistern and piping are still operable. This house was also the first to have electricity, a 32 volt DC system supplied by a tower mounted wind charger. PNM didn’t come to Placitas until 1952. Ron Ericksen, at age 18, bought the trading post and its half of the house in 1950; he eventually bought the remaining portion as well as surrounding pieces of land. Unfortunately, by that time the other half of the house was beyond repair. He took it down, but, not wanting to lose the enclosed patio, and not thinking he needed more rooms for two people (his grandmother had come to live with him), he opted for a great room. He had no idea how big it was until he got the walls up. He learned how to build it by taking the old structure down, so it was built with the same technology as the rest of the house: rock foundation dug into the ground and brought above any flood level; adobe walls; logs for lintels. The vigas are the trees cut for the first paved road up to Sandia Crest. He spent the remainder of his life modernizing and restoring the home. Jackie married Ron in 1964 and joined the project, sharing the construction of the big fireplace, laying oak flooring, finishing wood, building closets, etc. After Ron’s death, Jackie added her own touches, including the present incarnations of kitchen and baths, and the large great room windows.

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This listing is offered by:

Knight Realty & Associates, LLC
Email: Alexa Knight
Office: 505.299.8343