Old Tucson

Hotel Congress, Old Town Tucson AZ

There's one thing about Tucson Arizona that differentiates it from many of the other towns in southern Arizona and New Mexico. While the Southern Pacific Railroad certainly added to the growth of Tucson, the difference is that Tucson was a key settlement long before the arrival of the railroad.

At one time a Papago Indian village stood where present day Tucson is. The first Jesuit priest visited the Tucson area in 1692 and the Franciscans followed after that. In 1775 the Spanish constructed a fort at present day Tucson. So where some towns grew in direct relationship with the Southern Pacific Railroad, the story of Tucson is very different. During the American Civil War years, at one time Tucson served as the capital of the Confederates western Arizona region.

Tucson Arizona train station

Any road trip through southern Arizona should include a stop in Tucson. In fact, there are so many things to do in Tucson that a visit certainly warrants more than just one day. Located along Interstate 10, Tucson Arizona is certainly an easy place to reach. The La Casa Cordova is Tucson's oldest house and highlights the city's Spanish and Mexican heritage. At the same time, the Old Tucson Studios testify to Tucson's connection with the wild west frontier.

Old Town Tucson is a good place to begin your visit. Like many Old Towns around the United States, the location usually represents the immediate area where the town was first established.

Old Telephone switchboard at Hotel Congress

Hotel Congress

Now here is an old hotel with quite a history. The Hotel Congress, located in Old Town Tucson and across the street from the Tucson train station, in itself is a living piece of Tucson history.

The Hotel Congress is a historic building located in downtown Tucson and built in 1919. The train station directly across the street at the rear of the hotel was constructed in 1907. The Hotel Congress building was added to the National Historic Register in 2003. The hotel is a valuable part of the Old Tucson community.


Hotel Congress and John Dillinger

One of the best stories regarding the history of the Hotel Congress dates back to 1934 and involves the bank robber John Dillinger. Apparently Dillinger and his gang traveled out to Tucson after committing a series of bank robberies. Their intent was to hide out for awhile and let things cool down. The gang of course checked into the Hotel Congress using aliases. What they couldn't control was a fire that started in the basement of the hotel and spread up to the third floor where they were staying. After being contacted by the front desk regarding the spreading fire the gang escaped via the hotels fire escape ladder. The gang was captured when they tried to retrieve luggage from the fire officials. As it turned out for Dillinger, he was eventually transferred to an Indiana jail where he managed to escape from. Eventually Dillinger met his end at the hands of federal agent Melvin Purvis in Chicago.

Hotel Congress lobby area

The Hotel Congress is conveniently located downtown and is extremely well restored right down to the rotary dial phones in the rooms. The Hotel Congress is also home to a Tap Room, the music venue Club Congress and an excellent restaurant. Club Congress is a music venue attached to the historic hotel. The music venue was opened in 1985. You'll also find a great patio for food and beverages and it's a good place to people watch.  It's a very active hotel and if you're looking for a great time all under one roof in Old Tucson then the Hotel Congress should be on your Tucson trip planner.



The Old Tucson Studios

This is a site you want to be sure to visit when in Tucson Arizona. The Old Tucson Studios is a replica of an old western town that was built in 1939 for the movie "Arizona". The studios have also been used for many western movies and TV films. The studios offer visitors stage coach rides as well as rides on a narrow gauge railroad. Also see the staged old west gunfights and stunt performances. Also see Old Tucson’s very own “silent” movie star, The Reno locomotive. The locomotive is stationed at the north end of Old Town Tucson. The Reno has more than 100 film and television credits. From Interstate 10 exit at Speedway Blvd and head west following signs to Old Tucson. From Interstate 19 exit at Ajo Way (AZ 86) and head west following signs to Old Tucson.

Southern Pacific locomotive #1673

The Southern Arizona Transportation Museum

The Southern Arizona Transportation Museum is also located in Old Town Tucson adjacent to the train station. The museum address is 414 N. Toole Ave. Tucson, AZ. Here you can explore much of the town's railroad history regarding the Southern Pacific Railroad.  

Outside of this Old Town Tucson museum is the famous Southern Pacific Railroad locomotive #1673. Southern Pacific locomotive #1673 is one of 105 of its type originally numbered 1615-1719. During it's operation on the Southern Pacific it traveled over one million miles, primarily in freight service in the Southern Arizona region. The locomotive was built by Schenectady Locomotive Works in New York in the year 1900. The SP locomotive #1673 was retired in 1955 and donated to the city of Tucson. In December of 2000, the old engine and tender were brought home to the historic Southern Pacific depot in downtown Old Town Tucson.

Links to three additional Arizona Western Trips photo articles you'll enjoy are a visit to Old Town Scottsdale Arizona ... a visit to historic Prescott Arizona.and Hiking the Crescent Moon Ranch Trail in Sedona

(Photos from author's private collection)
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