Martíneztown, 1945: Tales of Life and Loss in an Albuquerque Barrio

Nasario Garcia's poignant memoir revisits the 1940s Albuquerque neighborhood of his youth to capture the struggles and joys of growing up in Albuquerque's oldest barrio.

In the summer of 1945, nine-year-old Junie is transplanted from the idyllic setting of his family ranch in the Río Puerco valley to Albuquerque’s oldest barrio, Martíneztown, home and refuge for Nuevomexicanos seeking better opportunities in the wake of World War II. Young Junie finds comfort in some of the community’s fami...