Downtown Tucson, Tucson

While exploring old downtow Tuscon, while I was taking a picture of a Little Piece of History tip, this wonderful lady was standing there checking her phone. I was a little surprised because I came up behind her and she paid me no mind. (Do NOT do this when your downtown and always be aware of your surroundings and people PLEASE!) Well I coughed and said excuse me so she would know I was coming up behind her so I could take a picture. She was excited I was exploring Tuscon and started to tell myself and my hubby the whole history of the Tuscon and the Presidio. She asked if I was following the Blue Line and I said no. She said look down and we did and there was this somewhat faded blue line. She said follow it and it will take you to all the historic buidings or sites of Tuscon. We asked if she was a teacher of history, she no, but she said she works for the city and arranges the cities events. So follow the BLUE LINE...lol!

Downtown Walking Tour Map in PDF

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This area at the base of Sentinel Peak, or A Mountains, has been called the birthplace of Tuscon. It has been a place of human habitation agriculture and irrigation for several millennia. Tuscon is derived from teh O'odham word "Chuk Shon", which means "at the foot of the mountain." Sentinel Plaza honors the early cultures of this area. The main features of the Plaza are the Sentinels, four sculptural monoliths which face Sentinel Peak. They are constructed of rammed earth. Earth was one of the building materials of the early peoples, as can be seen today in the great ruins of Casa Grande National Monument. The smaller tiled monolith is a symbol for bultural origins. The black "spirit" line is a symbol for cultural energy, as it flows through and unites the site. It is also a water symbol, an echo of the adjacent Santa Cruz River, which was an important resource drawing human settlement. Water symbols are also seen in the curving pavement design, and in the wave patterns of the bronze cap and tiles of the small monolith. The motifs of the other applied tiles on site are the artist interpretations of Hohokam pottery designs and the flora and fauna of our Sonoran desert.

by RLV Arts (Judith Stewart, Chuck Sternberg, Andrew Rush, Joy Fox, Bob Vint)

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The railroad reached Tucson in 1880. The current building is the "new" station that was built in 1907. Legend has it that Wyatt Earp pursued and shot the man he accused of murdering his brother, Morgan, on the tracks here. The S.P.R.R., building the nation's second transcontinental tail line eastward from California, reached Tucson on March 20, 1880. It was the occasion for one of the greatest celebrations in the history of the city and foretold the coming of a new era of fast, reliable and inexpensive transportation, bringing increased growth, development and prosperity. The original station, built in 1880, was a large wooden structure with offices, freight and passenger accommodations. It was replaced by the present depot, built on the same site in 1907.

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The S.P.R.R., building the nation's second transcontinental tail line eastward from California, reached Tucson on March 20, 1880. It was the occasion for one of the greatest celebrations in the history of the city and foretold the coming of a new era of fast, reliable and inexpensive transportation, bringing increased growth, development and prosperity. The original station, built in 1880, was a large wooden structure with offices, freight and passenger accommodations. It was replaced by the present depot, built on the same site in 1907.

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The venerable Hotel Congress, designed by well-known architect, Roy Place, is the last surviving historic hotel in downtown Tucson. This three-story landmark was built in 1919 with exposed masonry construction and marble details. The hotel, south of the railroad depot, was convenient to railroad passengers arriving in Tucson. The elegant lobby and dining room provided a degree of refinement for winter visitors on their western adventure. A January 1934 fire destroyed the original third floor and inadvertently resulted in the capture of John Dillinger and his gang several days later. The Hotel Congress and the Rialto Theatre defined the east end of the commercial district on Congress Street.

Spanish Translation:
Hotel Congress
El reconocido Hotel Congress, obra del afamado arquitecto, Roy Place, es el único sobreviviente de los hotels historicos del centro de Tucson. Este edificio de tres pisos fue construido en 1919 de ladrillo a la vista con detalles de mármol. El hotel, al sur de la estación del ferrocarril, era conveniente para pasajeros llegando a Tucson por tren. La recepción y comedor elegantes ofrecían un alto grado de refinamiento a los visitantes que durante el invierno venían a su aventura del oeste. Un incendio en enero de 1934 destruyó el tercer piso e inadvertidamente llevó a la captura de John Dillinger y su pandilla pocos días después. El Hotel Congress marcaban el limite oriental del sector comercial de Tucson.

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This charming, historic hotel is located in the heart of downtown Tucson's East End. 40 rooms retain their timeless appeal with vintage radios and antique iron beds, and feature private bathrooms and air conditioning. A fully operational 1930s-era switchboard and the rumble of occasional trains contribute to the ambiance. Downstairs, enjoy our beautiful lobby, or dine in the award-winning Cup Café. Pull up a stool in the Tap Room, enjoy a show at Club Congress, or book a special event in the Copper Hall banquet facilities.

Hotel rooms $75-$129.

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The Fox Tucson Theatre, the country's only southwestern art deco movie palace, was designed by California architect Eugene Durfee. Construction began in 1929 for the Tower Theatre, the crown jewel of the Diamos Brothers Southern Arizona Movie Theatre chain. Fox West Coast Theatres leased the building from the Diamoses and renamed it the Fox Theatre, opening on April 11, 1930, it soon became the community center of Tucson. In 1936, it became the city's first public building to have refrigerated air. Unoccupied from 1974 to 1998, it deteriorated. Revival efforts began in 1997, and in 1999 the Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation was formed to restore the theatre. Through extensive efforts of volunteers led by Fox Foundation executive director Herb Stratford, the faithfully restored Fox Tucson Theatre reopened on New Year's Eve 2005. The Theatre was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, and elevated to the national level of significance on April 16, 2004.

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Just outside the Presidio along the wall and along the sidewalks are small markers located on the ground. This is the timeline of who and what was here before the presidio and after it was here. It is very educational.