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The First Montezuma Hotel (Montezuma Castle) 

Rare chromolithgraphic image of the Montezuma Hotel in Las Vegas Hot Springs, New Mexico, published in about 1882.

The image presents a scenic view of the Montezuma Hotel, prominently set against a mountainous backdrop. The hotel, a grand Queen Anne style architectural structure, is surrounded by a meticulously landscaped front lawn featuring trails, a fountain, and a gazebo, interspersed with a variety of plants and cacti. In the foreground, the scene is animated with figures emblematic of the locale: a woman balancing a pot on her head and a man riding a donkey, adding life to the serene setting. 

Constructed by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad in 1881 to promote tourism to the region, this gorgeous structure had a very short life, burning to the ground in 1884 and shortly thereafter, before being resurrected as the Phoenix Hotel in 1886.

The Montezuma Hotel, depicted in the historical illustration, was a grand structure situated amidst the scenic Las Vegas Hot Springs in New Mexico. It showcases the elaborate Queen Anne architectural style, featuring multiple gables, expansive verandas, and a striking blend of colors that harmonize with its mountainous backdrop. This illustration captures the hotel's prominence and the lush landscape of the area, during its very brief existance as a popular destination for tourists seeking the therapeutic benefits of the natural hot springs.

The history of the Montezuma Hotel is intertwined with the development of the Las Vegas Hot Springs, known for their healing properties, and celebrated in local legends involving figures such as the Aztec emperor Montezuma. Indigenous peoples originally utilized these springs, and their significance grew after the area was annexed by the United States in 1846.  The first significant structure built by settlers was a hospital, which later transformed into the Adobe Hotel in 1862.

In 1879, with the construction of the Hot Springs Hotel, the area began to attract more visitors. The Montezuma Hotel, originally constructed by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad in 1881, was designed as a luxury hotel strategically placed to exploit the therapeutic natural hot springs on its property. These springs were reputed to provide relief for ailments such as tuberculosis, chronic rheumatism, and other chronic conditions. The hotel also boasted proximity to Gallinas Creek, which was renowned for its excellent trout fishing.  The hotel was the first structure in New Mexico to have electric lighting.

The hotel attracted a myriad of distinguished guests including several U.S. Presidents like Theodore Roosevelt, Rutherford B. Hayes, Ulysses S. Grant, and notable military figures such as William Tecumseh Sherman. It also hosted John C. Frémont and the notorious outlaw Jesse James. Foreign dignitaries reportedly included members from European royal families such as Henry Manners, the 8th Duke of Rutland, and John Campbell, the 9th Duke of Argyll, alongside his wife, Princess Louise. The Montezuma Hotel was a destination for the elite from across America and international tourists traveling the southern transcontinental route.

Tragically, the original Montezuma Hotel was short-lived, burning down in 1884 and again shortly after being rebuilt in 1885. It was finally reconstructed as the Phoenix Hotel in 1886, retaining the Montezuma name colloquially, coming to be known as the Montezuma Castle.  

 Designed by the prominent Chicago architecture firm of Burnham and Root, the hotel was well-equipped with recreational facilities including bowling alleys and billiard rooms. It remained operational as a hotel until October 31, 1903. After closing, it served various roles, from a training center for the boxer Jim Flynn in 1912, to being owned by the YMCA, and later functioning as a Baptist college until 1931. The Catholic Church took ownership in 1937, turning it into a seminary for Mexican Jesuits until 1972. After a period of vacancy, where it suffered vandalism and decay, the building was briefly used in 1977 as a film set for the horror movie "The Evil". 

In 1981, the historical Montezuma Castle was acquired by industrialist and philanthropist Armand Hammer to establish a United World College campus. However, substantial renovations were required to repurpose the building for educational use, and initial funding was insufficient to cover these repairs. The building gained recognition for its historical significance in 1997 when it was listed as one of America's Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Significant restoration efforts in 2000 and 2001, involving over $10.5 million, transformed it into a celebrated example of historical preservation in the United States, and it was subsequently named one of "America's Treasures" by the White House Millennium Council.

Now known as the Davis International Center, the building serves various educational functions, housing the school's dining hall, dormitory and guest rooms, administrative offices, classrooms, and a student center equipped with recreational and practical facilities.

Rarity

The view is extremely rare. 

There are no examples listed in OCLC, though one example can be found in the Jay T. Last collection at the Huntington Library.

Provenance:  Swann Galleries, June 2024