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| House built by Jewish pioneers to be featured on tour By Richard Deutsch For the Desert Sage Among the many historic wood-framed homes downtown is a Craftsman-style bungalow built of rugged red bricks stacked in a European bond. The home built in 1921 was built by Jewish merchants Charles and Cecilia Benjamin and is featured on this year’s historic homes tour sponsored by the Downtown Neighborhoods Association. Titled “Verandas, Porches & Front Stoops - A Parade of Bungalows,” the tour will open six downtown homes to the public on Mother’s Day afternoon, May 11, from noon to 4 p.m., in Albuquerque’s downtown historic districts. In addition to glimpsing early 20th century architecture, visitors to the featured homes will also glean some local history. Charles Benjamin was a wholesaler of everything from fruit to hardware. During prohibition he may have been involved in distributing alcohol as bottles and a still were discovered in the home’s basement, according to Kenneth Pompei, who, with his wife Julie, currently own the home. The Benjamins had two sons, both born in the home. The oldest boy, Stanton, lived there until the United States entered World War II, when he joined the military. Following Charles Benjamin’s death sometime later, Cecilia sold the home and moved away. Stanton returned from the war and took a job as a window dresser in New York City. A decade later he returned to Albuquerque to find the home for sale but its price too dear for him to afford. He instead bought a house on nearby 8th Street and lives there still today, the Pompeis said. The Benjamin Home is one of the best maintained craftsman style bungalows in Albuquerque. The Pompeis have grown to love the house at 1015 Roma Avenue and have restored it to near-original condition. Victorian light fixtures, dark wood cabinetry and the chicken wire tile bathroom are all original. Even the coal shoot and boiler are still functional. Perhaps the home’s most charming details are the tulip window accents in stained glass in the front windows. Tickets for the tour are $10 and will be available at each of the homes. Proceeds will go to the neighborhood association and its beneficiaries. For information, call 620-4328. | |||||||||
