Building Styles

These images show many styles found in Armory Park and other neighborhoods from the early days of Tucson. There are often variations on a basic style. Just like today, the homeowner may have wanted details that didn't conform to a particular style of home. These styles were also found in other parts of the country. Adobe construction was common before the railroad made bricks available. The hot weather made ventilation more important, leading to many large gables with vents, even on hipped roofs. The oldest houses were built with flat roofs, sometimes now covered with a pitched roof.

American Territorial houses imported elements of homes in the east adapted to local conditions and materials. For example, brick is commonly used but wood siding and framing were rarely used.

Bungalows in Tucson's historic neighborhoods are small and have a variety of construction. Many are adobe but were modified to have a more modern appearance in the early 20th century. Some craftsman details are common but a completely classic appearance is rare. Some distinctive local materials such as locally quarried stone are sometimes incorporated

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Southwest Inspired Revivals: Pueblo Revival was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. It was influenced by the styles of Santa Fe, mission and Arizona territorial architecture. Mission Revival: This style was most popular in about 1890 to 1915 so a few examples appear in Tucson's older neighborhoods. Roofs are pitched and usually clay tiled with decorative fac

ades.

Eastern US and European Influences: Simplified Queen Anne details are common on the older houses in historically Anglo neighborhoods. A few Greek revival homes can be found. The Sullivanesque (Louis Henry Sullivan) houses often incorporate Greek and Italianate elements. 

Mexican Architecture: These are the original surviving homes in Tucson. Most are located in the barrios south and west of the city center though some are found elsewhere, especially in the Presidio and Armory Park neighborhoods. These were the dominant homes before the arrivals of large numbers of Anglos. These houses were built to the property lines, sometimes with a central courtyard. Roofs were originally flat with masonry parapet tops or pitched roofs added for durability. The later built structures are often calle