Saved by a Sunday Drive: Historic Turquoise Trail Stone House Poised for Major Revival

TIJERAS — A nearly 140-year-old stone structure steeped in Civil War lore, land grant history, and early New Mexico commerce is poised for a new chapter as a regional cultural hub.

The East Mountain Historical Society (EMHS) has finalized its site master plan to transform the historic Campo/Sanchez Stone House into a multi-use welcome and educational center, local officials announced.

Architects from CSR Architects, PC, will publicly unveil the adaptive reuse master plan on Saturday, June 20, at 2:00 p.m. at the Tijeras Village Hall, located at 12 Camino Municipal. The event is free and open to the public.

The ambitious project has already gained local government backing. The Village of Tijeras passed Resolution No. 2024-03 in formal support of developing the property into a gateway visitor center. Once completed, the restored stone house will serve as a permanent headquarters and archive for the 34-year-old historical society, a welcome center for the scenic Turquoise Trail, and an educational facility for the Tijeras Creek Cultural Corridor.

A Storied History on the Turquoise Trail

Located 20 minutes east of Albuquerque along North Highway 14 in the village of San Antonio (Cedar Crest), the property boasts a documented history that mirrors the evolution of New Mexico.

• Indigenous and Land Grant Roots: The location sits adjacent to a prehistoric Pueblo occupied as early as the 1300s. The modern tract dates back to the 1820s, when it was settled as part of the Cañón de Carnué Land Grant.
• Civil War Campsite: In March 1862, Confederate troops pushing north through the Territory of New Mexico camped at San Antonio for several weeks. A soldier’s journal from the era includes a sketch indicating an enclosure or corral on the exact site of the current house.
• The Campo Era: In 1887, Carlos Campo, an Italian immigrant active in local politics, purchased the parcel from heirs of the original 1819 land grant. By the late 1880s, Campo had established a general store, saloon, and dance hall on the property.
• The “Kemp” Post Office: In 1907, the store became the “Kemp” Post Office—named after an alternate spelling the family used—with Campo’s wife, Dina, serving as postmistress. In 1925, the post office was moved slightly north and renamed Cedar Crest, giving the modern community its namesake.
• The Sanchez Era: Following Dina Campo’s death, newlyweds Flaviano Sanchez and Dulcinea Armenta purchased the property in 1930, converting the commercial store into a family home while continuing to host community events in the dance hall. A vehicle veered off the highway in 1945, destroying the dance hall wing of the building. The home remained in the family until Dulcinea’s death in 2003, after which it sat vacant.

Saved by a Sunday Drive

The property’s path to preservation began unexpectedly in 2022 when Charles Jackson, a descendant of Carlos Campo, noticed a “for sale” sign on his grandmother’s former home during a Sunday drive with his wife, Shelly.

Recognizing the property’s deep historic value, Jackson contacted the East Mountain Historical Society. In 2023, the Jacksons officially donated the structure and surrounding land to EMHS, setting the stage for the current restoration initiative.

Society officials view the upcoming master plan presentation as a critical milestone in safeguarding a piece of the East Mountain region’s diverse cultural tapestry.

If You Go:

• What: EMHS Stone House Restoration Master Plan Presentation
• When: Saturday, June 20, at 2:00 p.m.
• Where: Tijeras Village Hall, 12 Camino Municipal, Tijeras, NM
• Admission: Free; public parking is available on-site.
• More Information: Visiteastmountainhistory.org/stone-house-project-home/or email campostonehouse@gmail.com.