An Iconic View: A Photographic Study of First and Central, 1880 to 2020

On Sunday, February 21, 2021, Richard Ruddy presented “An Iconic View: A Photographic Study of First and Central, 1880 to 2020” – a visual history of Albuquerque’s First and Central using rarely seen historical photos. There was an emphasis on the view of Central Avenue looking west from the railroad tracks beginning in 1880 when the railroad first arrived. Mixed into the visual story were accounts of businesses and people who left their mark on Albuquerque. The program took place by live stream on the AHS Facebook page.

Phot of Central Ave in Albuquerque c1934

Richard Ruddy came to Albuquerque in 1949 when he was just ten years old. He is a UNM graduate (1962), and had a thirty year career as a self-employed commercial photographer here in Albuquerque. In retirement Richard took a strong interest in Albuquerque and New Mexico history, did lectures for OASIS, the Albuquerque Historical Society, Historic Albuquerque, Inc., the Special Collections Library and also wrote the award winning biography of Edmund G. Ross published by UNM Press in 2013.