Pueblo Bonito Inn
A Charming New Mexico Bed and Breakfast
Downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico
Toll Free Reservations 1-800-461-4599
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The History of Pueblo
Bonito Inn
A Charming New Mexico Bed and Breakfast
This Santa Fe, New Mexico bed and breakfast continues the lodging tradition
of the past. Taking the name of the intriguing archeological site "Pueblo
Bonito" of Chaco Canyon in the
San Juan Basin of New Mexico, this enchanting downtown Santa
Fe, New Mexico vacation destination is a two story foot-and-a-half thick
adobe building having 18 Santa Fe lodging units!
It was given its name over 75 years ago by Mr. Al Kempineck who purchased the highly sought after property from U.S Federal Court Judge John McFie in the early 1930's. Judge McFie served the U.S. Court system from early 1880 to well into the mid 1900's. He was assigned to the Southwest Texas Territory (which included West Texas and all of New Mexico) prior to New Mexico becoming a state! During his term, any noteworthy southwestern outlaws showed up on the scene, such as Doc Campbell, Billy the Kid, and Pancho Villa to mention only a few. After purchasing this amazing two-story adobe pueblo-style estate, complete with horse stalls, barn, servant's quarters and gardens, Mr. Kemenick made the conversion into apartments. Just like the Pueblo Bonito of old (except with indoor plumbing!).
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Due to its prime location (in historic downtown Santa Fe, NM just a stone's throw away from the New Mexico State Capital building), it provided varied necessary services to Santa Fe artists, politicians and community members. With rent as low as $35/month, Pueblo Bonito served home to many colorful people of the day, some of which are now famous such as Hilare Hiler- southwestern artist. There were non-famous folk as well, such as George Sanders who lived at Pueblo Bonito while serving in Los Alamos as personal bodyguard to Robert Oppenheimer, head physicist of the Manhattan project (see picture). Ladies of the evening were known to keep house at Pueblo Bonito in the earlier days to provide services for the gentlemen coming in on the Santa Fe Railroad. There was even a neighborhood market conducting business out of San Ildefonso (#20).
In the 1970's the property changed
hands again, but kept it's occupancy as apartments. Better known as "starving"
artists apartments (which at that time inhabited much of Santa Fe!), an unknown
artist who could not make rent one month left behind three murals upstairs on
the indoor hallway next to Isleta (#10) and
Santa Ana (#9).
In 1986, a young newly wed couple coming from Dallas, Texas began the Santa Fe
Bed and Breakfast we now know as Pueblo Bonito! Herb and Amy Behm at a ripe young
age of 28 and 24 decided to make a go of it. With background in franchising location
and business management and a degree from Georgetown College, Herb took to providing
Santa Fe accommodations beautifully! Amy, a recent graduate of Southern Methodist
University and originally from Santa Fe shared her background in marketing with
a business degree. Together, the Behm's worked side-by-side learning the business
of innkeeping. With no other employees but themselves for the first year of business
and only 12 rooms (now 18) with breakfasts served to the rooms (not like today
with a communal room) the learning curve was great! Their goal was then and still
is to provide a relax and comfortable atmosphere that provides the true character
of Pueblo Bonito at a reasonable price, while always
desiring a return visit from each of their satisfied
guests.
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The challenge presented by such a unique, historic property has demanded constant tender loving care due to it's age and Herb and Amy's desire to keep its authenticity as a prime Southwestern property in the heart of charming, historic downtown Santa Fe! Over the past 18 years, the Inn has had several face lifts from adding showers to every room, to a complete overhaul of the communal area, to adding a hot tub facility, to placing phones and air conditioners in each room, redoing the quaint brick pathways, and getting a brand new kitchen for breakfast and tea service!
Through these growth spurts, we
have received numerous encouragements from our guests and supportive community
such as receiving
"Best Preservation Renovation for Historical Significance" in 1988 - Santa Fe Historical Society; "Best of Santa Fe" for Accommodation in 1995- Reporter"; 2nd in "Best of Santa Fe" for Bed and Breakfast 2000- Reporter; Featured in Sunset Magazine "Snowy in Santa Fe" article Jan '04 issue as well as the Santa Fean Magazine article "10 Best Santa Fe Accommodation" March '04 issue. Being named after such a wondrous historic site as Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon, Pueblo Bonito Bed & Breakfast Inn has had a big plate to fill. However, it appears that this quaint little Santa Fe B&B nestled in the heart of the old southwest, is indeed holding its own and has been a true delight to many of it's patrons over the years.
