Retired librarian Joe Sabatini will present an illustrated history of Fourth Street, which served as the first Albuquerque alignment of Route 66 from 1926 to 1937. He describes its evolution as a city street, a federal highway, a suburban commercial strip and a redeveloping urban transit corridor. He uses maps, postcards, photographs and Albuquerque Progress magazine issues to celebrate “the most beautiful ugly street in the world.” 

This is part of a rotating series of speakers that will offer presentations at these locations in 2026: Raymond Sanchez Community Center; Martha Liebert Public Library; Gutierrez-Hubbell House; International District Library; Isleta Pueblo Cultural Center;  Los Lunas Multigenerational Center; Special Collections Library, East Mountain Library, Central and Unser Library, and the Wheels Museum. Find out more information here.