Photos: Downtown Tucson Then and Now
-
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
- Updated
The face of downtown Tucson has changed over the decades. Old photos from the Tucson Citizen photo archives are matched with photos taken by Daily Star photographer A.E. Araiza in late 2013.
Downtown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
Stone Ave in Tucson, including Arizona Land and Title, Pima Savings, Jacome's and Steinfelds, looking south from Alameda Street from the northeast corner in 1962.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
Alameda Street and North Stone Avenue in Tucson looking south from the roof of the county building at 200 N Stone on Thursday, November 7, 2013. The old department stores (Jacome's and Penney's) were replaced by the central library and plaza. Steinfeld's was replaced by the Bank of America tower.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
ARCHIVE PHOTO --- Downtown Tucson buildings taken June 1965. Looking south on Stone Ave from Alameda St. The Wells Fargo Bank, Pioneer Hotel and Tucson Federal Savings building.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
The Wells Fargo Bank, Pioneer Building and Pima County Public Defender's Office on Stone Avenue looking south near Alameda Street in downtown Tucson.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
Downtown Tucson buildings on S. Stone taken June 1965 from the East side of the street, looking North.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is the view of One East Broadway at Stone Avenue and Broadway Boulevard looking northeast with the Chase building in the background. The plans for the building are to have commercial businesses on the ground level with office space in the upper floors. The offices for the Regional Transportaition Authority or RTA and the Pima Association of Government or PAG are expected to occupy space in the building.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
The Westerner Hotel, which opened in 1949, on the southeast corner of Stone Ave and Broadway Road in 1965. The building was converted for office use.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
The former Westerner Hotel building on Stone Avenue and Broadway Boulevard looking Southeast.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
Downtown Tucson buildings on Broadway and Stone taken June 1965.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is a photo of Stone Avenue looking south toward Broadway Boulevard.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
Standard Oil gas station and Albert Steinfeld Hardware at 100 block of N. Stone in 1957. They were demolished to build J.C. Penney building. It is now the main library plaza.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is the northwest corner of Stone Avenue and Pennington Street and the main library plaza in Tucson.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
Citizen Photo S.H. Kress Co. 44 N. Stone temporary location while construction of new Kress store at 97 E. Congress. Formerly Montgomery Ward Store. No information on Langers Florists picture taken 1955.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is the corner of Stone Avenue and Pennington Street looking southeast. It is currently used as the University of Arizona Downtown facility housing the College of Architecture Planning and Landscape Architecture.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
Northeast corner of 6th Ave. and Congress Street in Tucson in 1965, including Dee's Shoes, Nationwide Finance, Johnny Gibson's Gym Equipment and the Manhattan bar. It's now the Ronstadt Transit Center.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Congress looking northeast at the Ronstadt Transit Center.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
6th Avenue and Broadway Road in June, 1965, including the back of the Santa Rita Hotel (right), Nick's Liquors, Western Union, the Roosevelt Hotel and Danny's Cafe.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Broadway, part of which was the site of the Roosevelt Hotel and Santa Rita Hotel and now the home of Tucson Electric Power in downtown Tucson.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is the parking lot at 35 E. Pennington, the site of the "new Woolworth Building" in May, 1956.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is a photo of the Chase Building looking south through a parking lot on East Pennington Street from the front doors of City High School at 48 E Pennington St.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
The Bank of Douglas at Alameda and Stone taken 1958.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court building on the corner of Stone Avenue and Alameda Street looking southeast.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
ARCHIVE PHOTO --- Downtown Tucson buildings taken June 1965. Tucson Citizen file photo.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is the intersection of Broadway and Sixth Avenue looking northwest.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
ARCHIVE PHOTO --- Downtown Tucson buildings taken June 1965. Dial Loans the the old Federal Courthouse on Broadway, east of Stone Ave. Tucson Citizen file photo.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is a photo of One East Broadway in downtown Tucson on Broadway Boulevard and Stone Avenue looking east toward the Walsh Federal Courthouse. The plans for the building are to have commercial businesses on the ground level with office space in the upper floors. The offices for the Regional Transportaition Authority or RTA and the Pima Association of Government or PAG are expected to occupy space in the building.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
Dave Bloom and Sons men's clothing at the northwest corner 6th Ave and Congress in 1956. The company moved to that location in 1931.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is the exterior of the Hydra store which at one time was the Dave Bloom and Sons store on Congress St and Sixth Avenue.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
Downtown Tucson buildings taken June 1965. Aaronson Brothers Apparel Store at Congress and 6th Ave. Now the Chicago Store.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This a photograph of the Chicago Store on Congress and Sixth Avenue looking west.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
Downtown Tucson buildings taken May 1953, including Stein's clothing and Leed's Shoes and Souther Arizona Bank and Trust.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is the northeast corner of Congress Street and Stone Avenue looking northeast, including the empty US Bank and Pima County Public Defender's Office, formerly the Tucson Federal Savings building.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
The Fox Theatre in downtown Tucson buildings taken June 1965.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is a photo of the Fox Theatre on Congress Street and Stone Avenue toward the north on Thursday, October 24, 2013 in Tucson, Ariz.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
The MacArthur Hotel at 500 E. Toole Ave. in 1965.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is the MacArthur Building on Toole Avenue and Pennington Street.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
Downtown Tucson buildings taken June 1965. Scott Ave looking south from Pennington St toward Congress.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is a photo of North Scott Avenue, north of Congress Street.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
Perkins Motor Co. , pictured in 1955, at the northwest corner of Stone and Alameda occupied the site for 15 years until it was demolished to make way for the Arizona Land Title Building, which was converted to Pima County Public Works Center in early 2000s.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
The Pima County Public Works Center on the northwest corner of Stone Avenue and Alameda Street.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
Downtown Tucson buildings on Pennington Street looking west from Scott Ave towards Stone Ave, ca. 1960. Pennington Drugs is at left.
Tucson CitizenDowntown Tucson Then and Now
Updated
This is a view of the Pioneer Building, right, on East Pennington and Scott Avenue looking west.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarRick Wiley
Photo editor
As featured on
Rio Nuevo wants the state Legislature to loosen the purse strings so the district can start …
The University of Arizona has been around for quite some time and has a story or two to tell…
The University of Arizona's Old Main, the oldest public building in Arizona this side of San…
More information
- Court: Ex-AG Tom Horne can fight $1.2M campaign finance violation fine
- Hue knew? Unearthed original color replacing pink shade of Old Pima County Courthouse
- How Tucson artist Rock Martinez evolved from tagger to muralist
- Valentine's Day messages adorn downtown Tucson sidewalks
- Muralists paint a Tucson postcard
- Then and Now: Kinsley's Ranch Lake in Arivaca Junction
View this profile on Instagram#ThisIsTucson 🌵 (@this_is_tucson) • Instagram photos and videos
Most viewed stories
-
These 3 Chinese spots on Grant Road will have you braving the construction for a taste
-
Check out delicious food and live performances this weekend at Tucson's first Asian Night Market
-
Over 25 fun events happening this weekend May 15-18 💖🌵
-
This local reptile rescue is looking for good homes for our slithering friends
-
18 FREE events happening in Tucson this May 2025 🌟
-
26 fun events happening in Tucson this weekend May 8-11 🌷✨
-
Over 50 fun events happening in Tucson this May 🎨🕺
-
10 must-visit places in Tucson, according to readers
-
9 local farmers markets to check out around Tucson 🥬
-
30 spots to get brunch in Tucson, as suggested by our Instagram followers