The Luna Mansion, a historic landmark in Los Lunas along Route 66, is preparing to reopen as a community event center, preserving its unique architecture and storied past. “Welcome to the Luna Mansion, come on in,” a voice invites as visitors step inside the building, where every room tells a story. “You definitely can instantly feel the magic here,” one person said. Built in 1881 by the Santa Fe Railroad for Don Antonio Luna as part of a land agreement, the mansion’s adobe and terrone construction make it one of a kind in the village. “The only one on this planet that is this Victorian, Southern, Colonial style,” a speaker said. The mansion quickly became a hub for community gatherings, hosting weekly parties, celebrations, and even New Mexico politicians. “Some of the New Mexico constitution was drafted here,” one person said. When Route 66 was established in 1926, the Luna Mansion became one of the highway’s most recognizable landmarks. “You drive by it, it’s so out of place, it’s not the normal architecture you would see,” one person said. “It’s still one of the first buildings that is still standing and alive and well on the original alignment,” another added. The mansion’s adobe walls, original woodwork, and handcrafted details have survived for more than a century. “To know that these were all made by hand and stacked in just the earth, it’s amazing,” one person said. Over the years, the mansion has been shaped by its residents, including Josefita Manderfield Otero, who added the iconic front pillars and filled the home with her artwork. “You can actually see these beautiful murals on the wall still today that she painted,” one person said. The mansion is also believed to host supernatural guests. “There’s so many stories, like our bartenders up front have heard music boxes playing in the bathroom,” one person said. The Torres family purchased the mansion in 2008, transforming it into a restaurant while preserving its history. “You can come and just like feel the different timelines and really feel the past, but yet like we’re creating the future,” one person said. The pandemic forced the mansion to close in 2020, but now a new generation is ready to reopen its doors. “I just feel like I’ve been blessed with like an incredible opportunity,” said Mai Ly Torres Baker, who is taking the reins of the property. “We want the doors to be open to everyone, and we want it to become a hub for the community again,” Baker said. The mansion will be transformed into a community event center, balancing public access with private events. “Just like that balance between it being something open for the community and then also being a place where people can have their private events,” Baker said. The family hopes a new generation of memories will be made inside the historic walls. While there is no set opening date, announcements are expected later this summer.
The Luna Mansion, a historic landmark in Los Lunas along Route 66, is preparing to reopen as a community event center, preserving its unique architecture and storied past.
“Welcome to the Luna Mansion, come on in,” a voice invites as visitors step inside the building, where every room tells a story.
“You definitely can instantly feel the magic here,” one person said.
Built in 1881 by the Santa Fe Railroad for Don Antonio Luna as part of a land agreement, the mansion’s adobe and terrone construction make it one of a kind in the village.
“The only one on this planet that is this Victorian, Southern, Colonial style,” a speaker said.
The mansion quickly became a hub for community gatherings, hosting weekly parties, celebrations, and even New Mexico politicians.
“Some of the New Mexico constitution was drafted here,” one person said.
When Route 66 was established in 1926, the Luna Mansion became one of the highway’s most recognizable landmarks.
“You drive by it, it’s so out of place, it’s not the normal architecture you would see,” one person said.
“It’s still one of the first buildings that is still standing and alive and well on the original alignment,” another added.
The mansion’s adobe walls, original woodwork, and handcrafted details have survived for more than a century.
“To know that these were all made by hand and stacked in just the earth, it’s amazing,” one person said.
Over the years, the mansion has been shaped by its residents, including Josefita Manderfield Otero, who added the iconic front pillars and filled the home with her artwork.
“You can actually see these beautiful murals on the wall still today that she painted,” one person said.
The mansion is also believed to host supernatural guests.
“There’s so many stories, like our bartenders up front have heard music boxes playing in the bathroom,” one person said.
The Torres family purchased the mansion in 2008, transforming it into a restaurant while preserving its history.
“You can come and just like feel the different timelines and really feel the past, but yet like we’re creating the future,” one person said.
The pandemic forced the mansion to close in 2020, but now a new generation is ready to reopen its doors.
“I just feel like I’ve been blessed with like an incredible opportunity,” said Mai Ly Torres Baker, who is taking the reins of the property.
“We want the doors to be open to everyone, and we want it to become a hub for the community again,” Baker said.
The mansion will be transformed into a community event center, balancing public access with private events.
“Just like that balance between it being something open for the community and then also being a place where people can have their private events,” Baker said.
The family hopes a new generation of memories will be made inside the historic walls. While there is no set opening date, announcements are expected later this summer.
