The Placitas Community
Placitas, one of New Mexico's oldest communities, is a picturesque, unincorporated village situated at the foot of the Sandia Mountains between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Formed by the Las Huertas land grant of 1745, this large tract of land was divided among 21 founding families. Today, descendants of the original families still live here, giving the community enviable historical continuity. The village, hidden in the hills at an altitude of 6,100 feet, has remained separate from these two metropolitan areas - nearby, but peaceful and private.
Placitas means "little plazas", the cultural centers of the early Spanish villages. Sandia Mountain looms to the South of its juniper and pinon-covered hillsides, while other defining features include the Jemez Mountain Range and the Rio Grande Valley to the West, Indian lands to the Northwest and the Sangre de Cristos to the North. Today, just a small part of Placitas is commercially zoned and the businesses one encounters hardly seem "commercial" in the usual sense. The remaining land is comprised of ¾ acre minimum lot sizes that ensure that unpleasant density is never a factor. New homes are generous in size, indigenous in style, and designed to compliment the environment. Excellent covenants and restrictions ensure that exceptions are rigorously avoided.
The charm, beauty, space and quiet of Placitas are being discovered these days by folks who enjoy the feeling of a small community where social events center around the school and the churches, the garden and horse clubs, arts and crafts, and musical events. Its adobe-style homes follow the simplest lines of native architecture and are scattered about the rolling hills. Small orchards, vineyards, and lovely walled courtyards flourish under deep blue skies. Placitas village and its surrounding subdivisions carry on the tradition of elegant simplicity and solitude that enhances the quality of life of its inhabitants.
Official Scenic Historic Marker
Las Placitas
The Sandia Mountains have been occupied by humans for thousands of years. This area was settled by 1767, when Governor Pedro Fermin de Mendinueta made the land grant known as La Merced de San Antonio de las Huertas. The area is called "las placitas" because it contains several villages, also known as "plazas." Descendants of the stockmen and farmers who first settled this grant still live in the vicinity.See a listing of Placitas Residential Areas and Subdivisions
Local Government contacts:
Town of Bernalillo offices-867-3311
Sandoval County offices-867-7500
Sandoval County Commission Chairman Elizabeth Johnson
c/o Sandoval County Administrative offices
P. O. Box 40,
Bernalillo, NM 87004
Miscellaneous Resources
Placitas Chamber of Commerce:
An organization promoting the Placitas business community and organizing the Placitas Home Tour. www.placitaschamber.com, 867-3011,46 Sandia Lane, Placitas, NM 87043
Greater Bernalillo Chamber of Commerce:
An organization of people interested in promoting the business community of Algodones, Bernalillo, northern Rio Rancho, Placitas, and the pueblos of Sandia and Santa Ana. www.bernalillochamber.org, 867-1185,fax 867-8325, P. O. Box 1776, Bernalillo, NM 87004. Office located at Sandoval County Visitor Center, 243 Camino del Pueblo, Bernalillo
The Animal Hotline:
A nonprofit community service for lost and found pets.
Call Dave @867-6135
Citizens for Safe Pipelines:
A nonprofit created to protect the environment, properties, and the public from the release of hazardous liquid and natural gas. safepiplines@worldnet.att.net, 867-0778, P. O. Box 124, Placitas, NM 87043
Jardineros de Placitas:
A community-involved organization with subgroups interested in bridge, herbs, stitchery, art, and books. Meetings are the 1st Wednesday of each month, 9:30 a.m. Contact Judith Austin, newmexjaa@aol.com
Las Placitas Association:
A community organization working to preserve the rural quality of life in Placitas and restore the riparian habitat of Las Huertas Creek. It sponsors the annual Flowering Desert Garden Tour in June, a Star Gazing Party, and group hikes throughout the year. www.lasplacitas.org, P. O. Box 888, Placitas, NM 87043
Sandoval Signpost:
An independent monthly newspaper serving Placitas, Bernalillo, Algodones, northern Rio Rancho, Santa Ana Pueblo, and Sandia Pueblo. info@sandovalsignpost.com, 505-867-3810, fax 505-867-3870, P. O. Box 889, Placitas, NM. Website: www.sandovalsignpost.com.
Optimist Club de Sandoval:
A community organization encouraging youth activities and promoting involvement in civic affairs. Monthly meetings on the first and third Mondays, 7 :00 p.m. Placitas Mission de San Antonio Community Center. RNHteacher@aol.com, 771-2337
Placitas Animal Rescue:
Rescuing injured, lost, or abandoned animals in Sandoval County. Also providing a spay and neuter service with free pet pickup and delivery. 867-0004, P. O. Box 724, Placitas, NM 87043
Placitas Artists Series:
Offering monthly musical concerts at Las P1acitas Presbyterian church. Artists' reception and exhibit of local artists work preceed each concert. www.placitasarts.org, 867-8080
Placitas Recycling Center:
Offers recycling services to the community on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month. Hwy. 165, across from Comcast Cable Company near 1-25. 867-3077
www.placitasrecyclingcenter.homestead.com
Placitas Senior and Community Center:
Activities for seniors and community members. Lunch served weekdays. Menu and activities calendar in the Signpost online. 867-1396
Placitas Volunteer Fire Brigade:
Volunteers from the community act as first responders to local emergencies. Training and certification classes offered.
867-5080.
Sandoval County Historical Society:
A community organization promoting the preservation of the history of Sandoval County. Monthly meetings at the DeLavy House in Bernalillo. 867-5351 or 867-5857
Watermelon Mountain Ranch:
Fostering the animal-human bond and offering foster homes and adoptions for displaced dogs and cats. 771-0140, extension 2
Trash Collection
Roadrunner Waste Service 867-9000
PO Box 2522 Corrales,
New Mexico
Abuelita's New Mexican Restaurant
621 Camino del Pueblo
Bernalillo
867-9988
Coronado Cantina
Hwy 44 & The Rio Grande
Bernalillo
867-3939
Guang-Dong Chinese Restaurant
407 Hwy 44 W.
Bernalillo
867-2272
Hyatt Tamaya Resort
The Corn Maiden
(fine dining)
&
The Santa Ana Café
1300 Tuyuna Trail
Santa Ana Reservation
867-1234
La Casita Cafe
567 Camino del Pueblo,
Bernalillo
867-3166
The Merc Deli
(Chamber Member)
221 Hwy 165 (In Homestead Village) Placitas
867-8661
A & E Café
(Chamber Member)
221 Hwy 165 (In Homestead Village)
Placitas
771-1700
The Range Cafe
925 Camino del Pueblo Bernalillo
867-4755
Prairie Star
(fine dining)
Jemez Dam Rd.
Bernalillo
867-3327