Entry No. 20 — the Albuquerque file — filed under: cemeteries
Historic Fairview Cemetery
Established in 1881, this 18-acre grounds contains over 12,000 graves detailing Albuquerque's most dramatic local tragedies and pioneer history. Notable plots include John Braden, who burned to death in 1896 steering an exploding fireworks wagon away from parade crowds, and the actual mountain boulder retrieved from Sandia Peak where young climber Medill McCormick died in 1938.
The story
Established in 1881 to serve the rapid rail-boom expansion of 'New Town' Albuquerque, this 18-acre expanse holds over 12,000 interments—though roughly half of them lie in completely unmarked ground. You won't find manicured turf or polished marble plazas here. Instead, dirt tracks, dry scrub, and wind-blown tumbleweeds outline the final resting places of 19th-century territorial politicians, railroad laborers, Rough Riders, and Buffalo Soldiers.
The most compelling grave markers tell brutal, highly specific local stories. Take the grave of John Braden, a 74-year-old former stagecoach driver who, during an 1896 parade, held the reins of a runaway wagon loaded with exploding fireworks. With his own clothes ablaze, he steered the panic-stricken team away from packed spectators, dying of his burns the following day. Nearby rests 21-year-old climber Medill McCormick, who died in a 1938 fall off a cliff in the Sandia Mountains. His mother, Congresswoman Ruth Hanna McCormick Simms, had the actual multi-ton mountain boulder where his body was found hauled down from Sandia Peak to serve as the raw, uncarved anchor for the family plot.
What it's like
To find the historic section, drive in through the main gates of Fairview Memorial Park at 700 Yale Blvd SE and turn left onto the unpaved interior roads past the dividing tree line. You'll be walking on rough dirt and gravel, so skip sandals and wear sturdy closed-toe boots—the grounds are full of vicious goat-head thorns that easily pierce thin soles. It is quiet, exposed to the high-desert sun, and usually empty, giving you an unvarnished look at frontier-era burial customs without crowds or tourist trappings.
The move: Take a self-guided walk at dusk to locate the John Braden hero memorial and the raw mountain boulder marking the McCormick family plot.
- 📍 University District
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 700 Yale Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Ernie Pyle Public Library — Pair a walk through 1880s territorial history with a visit to the modest 1940 home-turned-library of war correspondent Ernie Pyle, less than half a mile east.
- UNM Meteorite Museum — Pivot from 19th-century local tragedies to ancient extraterrestrial rocks tucked inside UNM's Northrop Hall, located less than a mile north.
- Hotel Parq Central — Continue your route of historic local sites with a drink or stay at this 1926 former Santa Fe Railway hospital turned boutique hotel.
Good to know
How do you access Historic Fairview Cemetery?
You enter through the main entrance of Fairview Memorial Park at 700 Yale Blvd SE and turn left onto the interior roads to reach the historic 18-acre unpaved section.
What notable figures are buried here?
Key graves include parade hero John Braden, mountain climber Medill McCormick, territorial congressional delegate Francisco Perea (who was present at Ford's Theatre when Abraham Lincoln was shot), along with early city founders, Buffalo Soldiers, and Rough Riders.
What should visitors bring or wear?
Wear sturdy, puncture-resistant closed-toe shoes to guard against prevalent goat-head thorns, and bring water and sun protection, as shade is extremely limited across the dirt grounds.
Does the cemetery host tours or community events?
The all-volunteer nonprofit managing the site hosts volunteer clean-up mornings on the first Saturday of the month, as well as occasional holiday history walking tours.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · newmexico.org
last checked: 2026-07-21