Photos: Tucson homes designed by famous architect Josias Joesler
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Rick Wiley
Photo editor
- Updated
Architect Josias Joesler established a style that became emblematic of Tucson in the early 20th century.
His buildings often featured exposed hand-hewn beams, exposed adobe brick, hand plastering, breezeways and patios that would show up in Ranch home designs throughout Tucson long after his death.
Joesler's design influences came from his extensive travels. He was born in Switzerland in 1895. He studied architecture in Bern, engineering in Heidelburg and history and drawing at the Sorbonne in Paris.
He worked as an architect in Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Spain, where he married Natividad Lorenzo. The couple left Europe in 1924 for Havana, then Mexico City, and eventually Los Angeles.
While working in Los Angeles, builder John Murphey convinced Joesler to move to Tucson. Their relationship resulted in nearly 400 buildings designed by Joesler and built by the Murphey-Keith Building Company.
The Joeslers moved to San Diego briefly after World War II, but returned to Tucson. Joesler continued his design work, but not at the pace he did with Murphey. He died in 1956.
Photos are from the Tucson Citizen home section in the 1950s-60s. Photographs by Bill Sears. Additional information provided by Demion Clinco of the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation.
The Dimmicks home at 3408 E. Fairmount, Tucson, shown in 1965. Josias Joesler built the home for himself and his wife in 1930. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Dimmicks home at 3408 E. Fairmount, Tucson, shown in 1965. Josias Joesler built the home for himself and his wife in 1930. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Dimmicks home at 3408 E. Fairmount, Tucson, shown in 1965. Josias Joesler built the home for himself and his wife in 1930. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The home of Arthur Present, 11,511 E. Speedway, in Tucson, 1963. Originally the Charles S. Todd house designed by Josias Joesler in 1941. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The home of Arthur Present, 11,511 E. Speedway, in Tucson, 1963. Originally the Charles S. Todd house designed by Josias Joesler in 1941. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The home of Arthur Present, 11,511 E. Speedway, in Tucson, 1963. Originally the Charles S. Todd house designed by Josias Joesler in 1941. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The home of Arthur Present, 11,511 E. Speedway, in Tucson, 1963. Originally the Charles S. Todd house designed by Josias Joesler in 1941. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The home of Arthur Present, 11,511 E. Speedway, in Tucson, 1963. Originally the Charles S. Todd house designed by Josias Joesler in 1941. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The home of Arthur Present, 11,511 E. Speedway, in Tucson, 1963. Originally the Charles S. Todd house designed by Josias Joesler in 1941. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The home of John H. Denton in Tucson, 1960. It was designed by Josias Joesler in March, 1931; Job 287. The design was referred to at the time of construction by Joesler as “Mexican Farm House.
The home of John H. Denton in Tucson, 1960. It was designed by Josias Joesler in March, 1931; Job 287. The design was referred to at the time of construction by Joesler as “Mexican Farm House.
The home of John H. Denton in Tucson, 1960. It was designed by Josias Joesler in March, 1931; Job 287. The design was referred to at the time of construction by Joesler as “Mexican Farm House.
The home of John H. Denton in Tucson, 1960. It was designed by Josias Joesler in March, 1931; Job 287. The design was referred to at the time of construction by Joesler as “Mexican Farm House.
The home of John H. Denton in Tucson, 1960. It was designed by Josias Joesler in March, 1931; Job 287. The design was referred to at the time of construction by Joesler as “Mexican Farm House.
The home of Robert Lusk on La Lomita Road in Catalina Foothills Estates north of Tucson, in 1959. One of the last homes designed by Josias Joesler. Completed for Mr. and Mrs. Donald Marshall on Lot 62 of the Catalina Foothills Estates in June 1954.
The home of Robert Lusk on La Lomita Road in Catalina Foothills Estates north of Tucson, in 1959. One of the last homes designed by Josias Joesler. Completed for Mr. and Mrs. Donald Marshall on Lot 62 of the Catalina Foothills Estates in June 1954.
The home of Robert Lusk on La Lomita Road in Catalina Foothills Estates north of Tucson, in 1959. One of the last homes designed by Josias Joesler. Completed for Mr. and Mrs. Donald Marshall on Lot 62 of the Catalina Foothills Estates in June 1954.
The home of Robert Lusk on La Lomita Road in Catalina Foothills Estates north of Tucson, in 1959. One of the last homes designed by Josias Joesler. Completed for Mr. and Mrs. Donald Marshall on Lot 62 of the Catalina Foothills Estates in June 1954.
The home of Robert Lusk on La Lomita Road in Catalina Foothills Estates north of Tucson, in 1959. One of the last homes designed by Josias Joesler. Completed for Mr. and Mrs. Donald Marshall on Lot 62 of the Catalina Foothills Estates in June 1954.
The home of Dean Tillotson on Camino Kino in Catalina Foothills Estates north of Tucson, in 1959. It was designed by Josias Joesler in 1953 and built in 1954.
The home of Dean Tillotson on Camino Kino in Catalina Foothills Estates north of Tucson, in 1959. It was designed by Josias Joesler in 1953 and built in 1954.
The home of Dean Tillotson on Camino Kino in Catalina Foothills Estates north of Tucson, in 1959. It was designed by Josias Joesler in 1953 and built in 1954.
The home of Dean Tillotson on Camino Kino in Catalina Foothills Estates north of Tucson, in 1959. It was designed by Josias Joesler in 1953 and built in 1954.
Luminarias line the walk of at the home of W.H. Loerpabel, Tucson, in 1958. It was originally designed by Josias Joesler for he and his wife as their second home in 1936. It is a City of Tucson Historic Landmark.
The home of W.H. Loerpabel, Tucson, in 1958. It was originally designed by Josias Joesler for he and his wife as their second home in 1936. It is a City of Tucson Historic Landmark.
The home of W.H. Loerpabel, Tucson, in 1958. It was originally designed by Josias Joesler for he and his wife as their second home in 1936. It is a City of Tucson Historic Landmark.
The home of W.H. Loerpabel, Tucson, in 1958. It was originally designed by Josias Joesler for he and his wife as their second home in 1936. It is a City of Tucson Historic Landmark.
The home of J.E. McAdams at Rancho Romero, north of Tucson, in 1958. It was designed by Josias Joesler for the McAdams in 1940. A Native American dwelling was found during excavation of the site, according to the Tucson Citizen.
The home of J.E. McAdams at Rancho Romero, north of Tucson, in 1958. It was designed by Josias Joesler for the McAdams in 1940. A Native American dwelling was found during excavation of the site, according to the Tucson Citizen.
The home of J.E. McAdams at Rancho Romero, north of Tucson, in 1958. It was designed by Josias Joesler for the McAdams in 1940. A Native American dwelling was found during excavation of the site, according to the Tucson Citizen.
The home of J.E. McAdams at Rancho Romero, north of Tucson, in 1958. It was designed by Josias Joesler for the McAdams in 1940. A Native American dwelling was found during excavation of the site, according to the Tucson Citizen. Pusch Ridge in the Santa Catalina Mountains are in the background.
The home of J.E. McAdams at Rancho Romero, north of Tucson, in 1958. It was designed by Josias Joesler for the McAdams in 1940. A Native American dwelling was found during excavation of the site, according to the Tucson Citizen.
The home of J.P. O'Connor, Tucson, in 1957. It was designed by Josias Joesler and Phil May.
The home of J.P. O'Connor, Tucson, in 1957. It was designed by Josias Joesler and Phil May.
The home of J.P. O'Connor, Tucson, in 1957. It was designed by Josias Joesler and Phil May.
The home of J.P. O'Connor, Tucson, in 1957. It was designed by Josias Joesler and Phil May.
The home of William H. Horwitz, 3815 Calle Barcelona, Tucson, in 1962. It was designed by Josias Joesler in 1940 and built as a residence for Mrs. Lola Arnold on three lots in the Montevideo Estates subdivision.
The home of William H. Horwitz, 3815 Calle Barcelona, Tucson, in 1962. It was designed by Josias Joesler in 1940 and built as a residence for Mrs. Lola Arnold on three lots in the Montevideo Estates subdivision.
The home of William H. Horwitz, 3815 Calle Barcelona, Tucson, in 1962. It was designed by Josias Joesler in 1940 and built as a residence for Mrs. Lola Arnold on three lots in the Montevideo Estates subdivision.
The home of William H. Horwitz, 3815 Calle Barcelona, Tucson, in 1962. It was designed by Josias Joesler in 1940 and built as a residence for Mrs. Lola Arnold on three lots in the Montevideo Estates subdivision.
The home of Donald Frederick Hill, 5201 E. Ft. Lowell Road, Tucson, in 1957. It was designed by Josias Joesler in October 1950. The project was a large addition and alternation for the residence. Today, the house is the community center of the Hill Farm subdivision in the Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood.
The home of Donald Frederick Hill, 5201 E. Ft. Lowell Road, Tucson, in 1957. It was designed by Josias Joesler in October 1950. The project was a large addition and alternation for the residence. Today, the house is the community center of the Hill Farm subdivision in the Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood.
The home of Donald Frederick Hill, 5201 E. Ft. Lowell Road, Tucson, in 1957. It was designed by Josias Joesler in October 1950. The project was a large addition and alternation for the residence. Today, the house is the community center of the Hill Farm subdivision in the Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood.
The home of Donald Frederick Hill, 5201 E. Ft. Lowell Road, Tucson, in 1957. It was designed by Josias Joesler in October 1950. The project was a large addition and alternation for the residence. Today, the house is the community center of the Hill Farm subdivision in the Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood.
The home of Donald Frederick Hill, 5201 E. Ft. Lowell Road, Tucson, in 1957. It was designed by Josias Joesler in October 1950. The project was a large addition and alternation for the residence. Today, the house is the community center of the Hill Farm subdivision in the Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood.
The home of Donald Frederick Hill, 5201 E. Ft. Lowell Road, Tucson, in 1957. It was designed by Josias Joesler in October 1950. The project was a large addition and alternation for the residence. Today, the house is the community center of the Hill Farm subdivision in the Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood.
The John Haugh home on N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, in 1959. It was designed by Josias Joesler. Remodeling and additions designed by architect Arthur Brown.
The John Haugh home on N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, in 1959. It was designed by Josias Joesler. Remodeling and additions designed by architect Arthur Brown.
The John Haugh home on N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, in 1959. It was designed by Josias Joesler. Remodeling and additions designed by architect Arthur Brown.
The John Haugh home on N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, in 1959. It was designed by Josias Joesler. Remodeling and additions designed by architect Arthur Brown.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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