Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS)

HABS, established in 1933, was the nation’s first federal preservation program and a relief effort for architects during the Great Depression. Created through a partnership between the National Park Service, the Library of Congress, and the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the program aimed to preserve the rapidly disappearing buildings that embodied the nation’s tangible cultural history.

The HABS program, which continues today, involves photographing buildings, creating detailed measured drawings, and compiling written documentation about their history. Since its founding, the program has built up a vast archive of our nation’s architectural history, capturing everything from modest vernacular buildings to grand architectural landmarks. The collection is permanently housed at the Library of Congress and is largely digitized online, serving as a valuable and accessible resource for understanding and preserving historic properties.

HABS measured floor plan of the Socorro Mission, drawn by Marvin Eickenroht’s team in 1936.

HABS photograph of the southwest elevation of the Presidio Chapel of San Elizario taken by Marvin Eickenroht in 1936.

HABS photograph of the Jesús Lujan House in San Elizario taken by Marvin Eickenroht in 1936. In poor and worsening condition, the house was fully demolished in 1975.