The Martin and Florence Spitz-Gardesky House, built in 1922–23, is an early example of the popular Spanish Pueblo Revival Style in Santa Fe. An unidentified builder constructed the one-story Spanish Pueblo Style from pentile, the hollow clay brick manufactured at the New Mexico State Penitentiary. The home has long associations with prominent Santa Fe citizens including one of the oldest Jewish merchant families in the region. A colorful and beloved figure in town, Martin Gardesky owned the Capital Pharmacy on the Santa Fe Plaza until his untimely death in 1940 at the age of 50. He married Florence Spitz, the daughter of Solomon and Emilie Spitz, of Spitz Jewelers, a longtime fixture on the Santa Fe Plaza. After her husband’s death, Florence lived in the home with her sister, May, and they remained active in the community throughout their lives as members of the Woman’s Board of Trade, the Community Theater, and the Santa Fe Garden Club.
From Old Santa Fe Today, 5th edition by Audra Bellmore with photographs by Simone Frances.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF PETE WARZEL