Words by Dennis Begin
Barrio Viejo, meaning "old neighbourhood" in Spanish, is an area near downtown Tucson, Arizona that is an important, historical part of the community. This picturesque destination, just south of the Tucson Convention Center, lies between I-10 and Stone Avenue, with Meyer and Main Avenues passing through the centre.
In the 1950s, the city officials wanted to bulldoze the Barrio to build the Convention Center, but the residents protested, and quickly put an end to the city’s plans. The neighbourhood was saved, but the Barrio’s future was still uncertain. However, during the late Sixties, artists and hippies moved into the area beginning the long process of revitalization.
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JR Lougee
Barrio Row Housing
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JR Lougee
House and Car.
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JR Lougee
Barrio Row Housing.
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JR Lougee
Barrio House.
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JR Lougee
Two Houses. Two Painters.
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JR Lougee
Barrio Theater.
The original Barrio neighborhood, built between 1880-1920, was home to a diverse working class, including Spanish, Mexican, Asian, and Hispanic. The residents worked largely in the service industry, scratching out a living. Using traditional Mexican Village architecture, houses were built of thick-walled adobe (Spanish for mudbrick) with a flat roof, wood beams, and ocotillo, or saguaro cactus ribs, coverings. The doors and windows were narrow, opening onto the streets, and sometimes with a fence across the front. Houses ranged from single-family homes to townhouses and particularly, row (interlocking) housing units.
You should begin your tour of Barrio Veijo at Five Points, the corner of Stone and 18th Streets. Over many decades, the houses have been painted bold bright colours with doors/windows becoming works of art. Public buildings also have been treated with the same effect. As a result, the Barrio has become a very eclectic and cool place to live, with housing prices ranging from $225,000 to $600,000 (US).
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Dennis Begin
Single Family Home.
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Dennis Begin
Colourful blue door
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Dennis Begin
Single Family Homemade of adobe [mudbrick].
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Dennis Begin
Multi Entrances
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Dennis Begin
Barrio Single Family Home.
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Patricia Begin
Entrance with Inner Courtyard.
With only 1,700 people living in the Barrio, the demographics now range from singles, students, professionals, elderly and young families. The millennial generation has added professional services and other home-based businesses. There are some community facilities including an elementary school, restaurants, churches, a bar, and a Jewish History Museum.
The Barrio has become a major tourist attraction constantly drawing photographers, artists, and tour groups. In 1978, the Barrio was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
While viewing the Barrio, respect private property, take a lot of photos, and enjoy the delightful ambiance. Let your photos tell the story of the Historico Barrio Viejo.