Exploring the Barrios of Downtown Tucson

Barrio Spanish word for neighborhoods

Some things on my "bucket list"while in AZ include: join a camera club, take a photography class and go on a field trip called Tucson Windows and Doors. Despite the fact it was cloudy I thought it was the perfect day (not too hot) to meander around several barrios in downtown Tucson and enjoy the scenery. I got so caught up with such a variety of architecture, doors, dramatic house colors and vegetation that I hardly even noticed windows! 

Barrio Viejo, the old neighborhood, mainly consists of Tucson's 19th century homes and commercial buildings. In the 1960's and 70's, much of the old neighborhood was bulldozed to make way for urban redevelopment, which included the Tucson Convention Center.  Sadly, a lot of heritage was lost and today there seems to be a huge revitalization in the area surrounding the convention center.  

In the 1880's and 90's, this was home to a culturally diverse community of working class people from America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Many worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. The arrival of the SP in 1880 changed Tucson from an impoverished, dusty little Mexican village in the middle of nowhere to a growing Southwestern city of seemingly limitless opportunity.

Barrio Viejo is located just south of the Convention Center. These photos are just a small representation of the old architectural styles that are now preserved by private individuals and families.. Many of the buildings are tied to Tucson’s most indigenous architecture, the Sonoran tradition, specifically the Sonoran Row house, built of adobe with flat roofs pictured here.  

The arrival of the railroad meant building materials from the East arrived, spurring the architectural use of pitched metal roofs seen in the later adobe Bungalow and Mission Revival styles. In the mid-50’s ranch style housing was built by younger families moving to the area.

One thing I couldn't help notice was the flat roof lines so different from the Midwest.  

This metal tube is ingenious! It collects rainwater (which really only happens during the monsoon season late summer) and note at the bottom there is a spigot which can be opened to water nearby vegetation. 

I was also quite taken with the new growth on this cactus plant.  

Coming off a very cold winter (we just got here) any color  and anything living outside gets my attention. 

"Still round the corner there may wait

A new road or a secret gate

And though I oft have passed them by

A day will come at last when I

Shall take the hidden paths that run

West of the Moon, East of the Sun.”

J.R.R.Tolkien