Historic New Mexico Made Slump Block
Photo of 900 Maverick Trail in Four Hills Village Albuquerque, February 2021
Four Hills Village is certainly known for its great 1960s design. What is lesser known is the impressive number of these historic homes that are built with local Albuquerque-made materials.
We have archived instances of this Crego ad published as early as 1961.
Concrete was everywhere in 60s Albuquerque partly because it was manufactured right in the backyard. Due to the mining of naturally occurring minerals in the Manzano mountains, Albuquerque became a major manufacturer of concrete materials. Another popular concrete-like product on the market at the time was a local innovation called “SlumpRok”, which later became known as Slump Block, made by Crego Block Company. The blocks were pulled out of their molds before fully curing causing the sides to “slump” slightly as they dried. When used in construction this would give a wall a textured appearance with more depth than traditional brick. It is intended to look like a more traditional southwestern adobe brick.
Over half a century ago in 1966, Crego Block Company showcased what is now a historic home in Four Hills Village. The advertisement ran in the July-August 1969 edition of Albuquerque Architect Magazine and highlighted the original owner of the residence, Dr. & Mrs. Steven H. Feagler.
This home still looks just like the ad proving Crego wasn’t just fluff and promises. The house truly does deliver!
This house is located at 900 Maverick Trail SE in Four Hills Village, Albuquerque.
Once you learn what Slump Block is you will notice it all over the neighborhood and throughout Albuquerque. It was highly prolific in 1960s and 70s design. As far as we can tell, Crego was the major, if not sole, supplier of Slump Block in Albuquerque during this time.
Photo of 900 Maverick Four Hills Village Albuquerque, February 2021
Resources: Albuquerque Architect Magazine; A complete collection of Albuquerque Architect Magazine can be found in the University of New Mexico’s digital repository. Click here to download the July-August 1969 edition.