Albuquerque Indian School
Albuquerque, New Mexico
1881-1981
E-Travel
The Albuquerque Journal carried news from the school. History of the Albuquerque Indian School by Lillie G. McKinney appeared in 1945. The 1988 nomination form for the Gymnasium/Auditorium Building to be included in the National Register also contains a history of the school. Both are now online.
The National Archives image of A.I.S. students (right) is from We're Not as Bad as We Look.
History
Albuquerque Indian School, the third oldest Indian school in the nation, was begun by Revered Sheldon Jackson of the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions under a government contract. With a goal of the “gradual uplifting of the race,” classes focused on learning English and industrial training so that students could become functioning members of the larger American society. Superintendent J. S. Shearer with three assistants began classes on January 1,1881 for 40 Pueblo students. The early academic program was at primary level, later increased to grade ten.
In 1886 the government assumed direct control of the school. But McKinney points out that frequent leadership changes in the early years led to a lack of direction for programs and fluctuating attendance. Since many students attended only for a year or two, the school had no graduates before 1897.
Reuben Perry directed the school from 1908 to 1933. In 1925 A.I.S. became a high school, and by 1929 enrollment had reached 927. Because of the need for new buildings and upgrades, many of the boys became expert at carpentry, in addition to harness making, shoe making, and farming. Girls were taught domestic skills such as sewing, baking and laundry. In 1900 A.I.S. began to employ the “outing” system, whereby older students worked for responsible citizens away from campus, their wages split between the students and the school.
By 1929 graduation class numbered 44. Newspapers began to show more typical high school activities. In 1914 a school band was organized, and it became a fixture at community celebrations. The music program developed to the point that students performed an operetta “Feast of the Red Corn” in 1928. In 1917 the Webster Literary Society was begun, leading to declamation and oratorical contests. A.I.S. students were able to take art classes at the University. Among student organizations was a chapter of the Y.M.C.A. Between 1926 and 1931 students published a yearbook, the Pow Wow.
The All Indian Pueblo Council took control of the school in 1977, but with deteriorating facilities, A.I.S. closed and merged with Santa Fe Indian School in 1981.
Bricks and Mortar
The Classroom Building, completed in 1884, was on land located two miles northwest of Albuquerque, at what became 12th Street and Indian School Road. The two-story stone building contained classrooms, and administrative offices on the ground floor with dormitory rooms on the second floor. It was the first of 44 buildings on campus.
Built to house 150 students, it was already too small when it was completed, so an additional dormitory was begun immediately. The Classroom Building was razed around 1966.
The concrete and brick Auditorium/Gymnasium Building was completed in 1923. Since construction, carpentry, plumbing, and painting were performed by students, the cost was only $42,000. Placed on the National Register in 1982, the building burned and was razed in 1987.
Only one campus building remains today.
1885 image of the new Classroom Building. Image from National Archives
Sports
Team name: Braves
School colors: Black and Orange
Located near the University of New Mexico, A.I.S. had a natural—if unequal—rival at hand. In 1904 it became part of a state sports conference with the University, the Agricultural College (now New Mexico State), the Normal School (now New Mexico Highlands, and the Santa Fe Indian School. A.I.S. competed in football, track, and baseball.
The earliest football results come from 1893, when A.I.S. defeated the University 10-4. Through 1922, A.I.S. played the Lobos 19 times, compiling a 4-14-1 record. A far shorter history with the Agricultural college resulted in a 4-2-1 record.
In 1925 A.I.S became a member of the New Mexico Activities Association, winning state high school championships in basketball and track and field in 1928. The basketball team represented New Mexico in a national tournament in Chicago that year.
1900 football team, Albuquerque Indian School https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/abq_tricentennial_exhibit/19/
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