This image is from a very special section of Tucson called Barrio Viejo. It is the old town section of Tucson. Barrio Viejo, the old neighborhood, mainly consists of Tucson's 19th century homes and commercial buildings. The area isn’t very big, but it has some of the most interesting doors you will every see.
Ironically, it is located right next to modern downtown Tucson. In the 1960's & '70's, much of the old neighborhood was bulldozed to make way for urban redevelopment, including the Tucson Convention Center. Today, most Tucsonans would be happy to bulldoze the Convention Center if it would bring back the heritage that was lost.
In the 1880's & '90's, this area was home to a culturally diverse community of working class people from America and all over the world. Many worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. With the arrival of the SP in 1880, Tucson changed forever. Instead of a hopelessly impoverished, dusty little Mexican village in the middle of nowhere, it became the growing Southwestern city that we see today.
The old architectural styles of the Barrio Viejo are maintained by the local residents…proud of the area’s history. But they are just forward thinking enough to add some special features to the homes here by adding unique doors and bold colors. Besides homes, there are professional offices, art galleries, vacation rentals and a few restaurants and drinking establishments. There are even some new buildings that echo the architecture & character of the neighborhood.
The area is listed in the National Historic Register.
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