1958 Tucson home photos: Early Americana and do-it-yourself construction
From the Photos: Peek inside these 80+ historic Tucson homes series
The home of E.J. Meyer was featured in the Tucson Citizen in 1958. The family members did a lot of the work on the home themselves.
1958 home photos: Early Americana and do-it-yourself construction
Most 19th century homes were distinguished by a sampler, usually sewn by the mother or one of the daughters, with a motto for everyone to keep in mind. The sampler in this home hangs in one corner of the living room. Unfinished adobe and knotty pine walls offer a subtle background for the period furniture.
1958 home photos: Early Americana and do-it-yourself construction
Reproductions of Early American milk glass, hurricane lamps and apothecary jars such as those on this 75-year-old organ accessorize the Meyers' home. The organ, as well as a china closet and golden oak chest topped with pink marble, are among the rare articles of furniture which have been in the family for years.
1958 home photos: Early Americana and do-it-yourself construction
The Meyers, along with decorator Ray Salzman, decorated the 4th street home. But it was the Meyers themselves who took on the renovation of the carport. Now the family room, this area is the center for television entertainment and music from the hi-fi set. The shutters on the windows, the same as those in the master bedroom, are from Immaculate Heart Academy. Dating back from the turn of the century, the broken shutters were adapted by the Meyers for their home.
1958 home photos: Early Americana and do-it-yourself construction
The coffee table was originally a dining room table found in a Yaqui Indian's house. When the accumulation of years of use were scraped off and the legs were cut down, the table turned into a handsome round coffee table.
1958 home photos: Early Americana and do-it-yourself construction
At the end of the Meyers' living room is the dining area with its oval-shaped dinner table. An antique china closet which belonged to Mrs. Sam Hughes, Mrs. Meyer's great grandmother, is against the far wall. In the closet is a set of milk glass dishes which is used for special occasions thus making the Early American theme complete. Several other pieces of milk glass hang on the wall and sit on the pink marble-topped chest.
1958 home photos: Early Americana and do-it-yourself construction
Old-time ice cream parlor stools are the perfect height for supping at the breakfast counter in the kitchen, brightly decorated in turquoise and pink. The kitchen's contribution to the do-it-yourself project is an old desk. The desk when found was in shambles in a wood pile. It was restored to its original beauty through a process of soaking and remolding the wood. The apothecary jars lined up on the kitchen counter are only changed inside - they now hold crackers, cookies and spices instead of pills and tablets as originally intended.
Take a peek into these Southern Arizona homes from the 50s and 60s.
The home of Mrs. Charles Patterson was photographed for the Tucson Citizen Around Your Home section in 1958.