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Albuquerque, New Mexico: Historic Microsoft Headquarters

A plaque on a rock stands in front of the building where Paul Allen and Bill Gates got their start on April 4, 1975. The plaque has been stolen repeatedly.

Address:
115 California St. NE, Albuquerque, NM
Directions:
On the southwest corner of Linn Ave. NE and California St. NE. I-40 exit 162. Drive south on Louisiana Ave. around 1.5 miles, past the State Fairgrounds on the right. Turn right onto Central Ave. (old Route 66), then make the next right, past the Fairgrounds, onto California St. The rock and plaque will be one block north, on the left.
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Visitor Tips and News About Historic Microsoft Headquarters

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Historic Microsoft Headquarters.

Historic Microsoft Headquarters

The sign and accompanying building remains in good shape.

[Luv2RV, 09/19/2022]
Historic Microsoft Headquarters

The plaque was in place when we visited. Hard to imagine this technology titan starting in such a nondescript building in such a nondescript part of town.

[Geoff B, 08/10/2016]

Microsoft Birthplace marker.

Historic Microsoft Headquarters

404 no more. The plaque is back! Shiny and new. Now we can all get back to hating Internet Explorer.

[David Pike, 05/14/2013]

Update, Oct. 2013: stolen again!

Paul and Bill were here.

Historic Microsoft Headquarters

The plaque is still missing, but someone wrote "Paul & Bill" in marker pen on the stone to act as a placeholder until the real replacement arrives.

[Wm Breiland, 06/29/2012]

Microsoft needs to chisel their legacy into a boulder. For now perhaps it also calls for an impromptu shrine of candles on floppy disks?

Historic Microsoft Headquarters

Sadly, the Microsoft plaque is gone.

[Callie M., 04/26/2012]

The plaque was stolen earlier in April; police are investigating. Paul Allen of Microsoft assures that if it doesn't turn up it will be replaced.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Muffler Man: Lumberjack MutantMuffler Man: Lumberjack Mutant, Albuquerque, NM - < 1 mi.
High School Sea SerpentHigh School Sea Serpent, Albuquerque, NM - < 1 mi.
Chevy on a StickChevy on a Stick, Albuquerque, NM - 1 mi.
In the region:
Rattlesnake Museum, Albuquerque, NM - 5 mi.

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