Prior to 1954, the Governor's Residence was located in downtown Santa Fe, adjacent to the
New Mexico State Capitol. It featured neoclassical architecture and was meant to resemble the
White House but was painted a light tan color. This home had expansive gardens and a fish pond. By 1950, however, the mansion was in severe disrepair and the
New Mexico Legislature authorized funds for a new residence that same year. Before the second home's construction, and dating back to the period of
Spanish colonization, governors of New Mexico resided at the
Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe. This adobe structure, constructed in 1610, remains standing today and is now a museum and tourist attraction. The palace is the oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States, having been in continuous use for over 400 years. == External links ==