National and State Register

El Monte Hotel (Monte Villa Inn)

Rio Grande County

In 1930, this small rural community constructed the $112,000 hotel, which became a center for community activities.  Designed by E. Floyd Redding, the three-story building shows influences of the Mission and Pueblo Revival styles with its stuccoed exterior, tile roof, curvilinear parapet walls, wooden lintels, and decorative vigas.

A view of the motel from a corner angle with square double paned windows on the top two floors and larger windows on the first floor.

El Monte Hotel (Monte Villa Inn) (2000 photograph.)

It represents a distinctive architectural style prevalent in hotel construction throughout the pre-World War II southwest.  The intent was to build a "Fred Harvey" style hotel with all the modern conveniences, including Monte Vista’s first elevator.