In 1821, the Santa Fe Trail opened and goods from the eastern and mid-western parts of the United States trickled into the area.. In 1848 the province that included New Mexico was annexed as a United States Territory. As trade increased, and new people arrived, so did manufactured goods, and new technology.

The incoming technology changed the look of the housing, and the new-comers brought a new form of architecture, one that was greatly influenced by Greek Revival.

Mills turn logs into sawn lumber. Window glass, doors, and locks appeared as did pedimented lintels over doors and windows. But these pieces of wood trim, often painted white, accented existing the adobe brick walls and flat roofs. Bricks didn’t replace adobe but were available to prevent erosion along the top of the walls and for construction of chimney flues and hearths.

With the greater security provided by American troops, buildings could open out with doors and windows. Buildings gained a second story and wood floors appeared. Verandas and elaborate entrances became popular along with wood trim and fireplace mantels. The resulting architectural hybrid was called Territorial style.

But territorial annexation and its impact was only a taste of the cataclysmic changes wrought by the coming of the railroad, just a few decades later.

With the railroad came a flood of new designs and fashions. A cornucopia of design elements entered the architectural lexicon. Towns began to lose their regional flavor.