History

The Los Poblanos land was originally inhabited by Anasazi (Ancestral Pueblo Indians) in the 14th century. Around 1716, it was deeded to Elena Gallegos de Gurulé as part of the Elena Gallegos land grant. Many of the original Mexican settlers in this area were thought to have come from the state of Puebla whose citizens are known as "Poblanos", thus the land's name. 

Ambrosio and Juan Cristobal Armijo owned the 500-acre Los Poblanos Ranch through the 19th century, which was reassembled by Albert and Ruth Simms (see below) in the 1930s.  

Upon returning to New Mexico in 1934, Albert and Ruth reunited much of the original land and hired famous architect John Gaw Meem, the "Father of Santa Fe Style," to design the remodel of the ranch house (now the Inn) and to design La Quinta. Holstein cattle were bred and grazed on the Ranch, the original site of the Creamland Dairies complex and various experimental crops were cultivated.  

La Quinta was the hub of the city's political and cultural activities for many years. Music events first hosted in its courtyard would blossom over time into the city's well-loved June Music Festival.  

Ruth died in 1944, and Albert continued life on the farm until his death in 1964. His nephew Albert Simms, with his wife Barbara and their 5 children, moved to Los Poblanos in 1966. In 1976, the ranch was split and sold to Armin and Penny Rembe and Armin's sister Victoria Rembe Walker and her husband, Robert Walker. The Rembes reunited the property in 1997. In order to preserve and protect the historic property, the ranch house has been converted into an Inn. La Quinta Cultural Center is brought back to its original use as a building for public use and recreation. The gardens have been improved, while the fields have been again dedicated to agricultural uses. The Rembes are committed to the preservation of the open space, agriculture, acequia irrigation and historic preservation of the houses and gardens.  

Albert and Ruth Simms 
Albert Simms and Ruth Hanna McCormick were widowers when they met while both serving terms in the U.S. Congress. Albert Simms was an Albuquerque lawyer known for his activity in banking, business, and politics. He was elected to Congress in 1928, where his seat on the House floor was next to Ruth's, who was elected as representative of Illinois that same year. She was the daughter of Mark Hanna and widow of Senator Medill McCormick, both prominent men in Illinois politics. Patrons of the arts, the Simms also helped develop the Albuquerque Little Theater. They launched schools that are still vibrant academic centers (Manzano Day School, Sandia School and Albuquerque Academy). Their contributions and devotion to their city have had lasting effects enjoyed even today by all Albuquerqueans.