If you’re looking for a neighborhood with a neighborly feel, look no further than Armory Park, Tucson’s first historic neighborhood. Within walking distance of art galleries, live theatre and local restaurants, it is also in close proximity to both the Tucson Convention Center and the popular Fourth Avenue shopping district.
Combine this with lush, mature vegetation and a turn of the century feel, and you have one of Tucson’s most desirable places to live.
The Neighborhood
The neighborhood sprang into existence with the arrival of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1880. This same railroad gave Tucson access to building materials other than the local adobe, which spawned the construction of an eclectic mix of Victorian, Queen Anne and Greek Revival architectural style homes that were popular with the railroad workers who hailed mainly from the East and Midwestern regions of the country.
In the 1920’s, Bungalows began to show up in the neighborhood – adding a Californian influence to the already diverse locale.
The History
Prior to the railroads arrival, Federal Troops had been stationed in the area where the new neighborhood was taking root in order to protect Tucson from frequent Apache raids. The Troops set up their Post (including their armory) very near the site of what is now the historic Santa Rita Hotel, in an area that came to be known as Military Plaza. And, when the Army Post was abandoned at the turn of the century, the new neighborhood came to be known as Armory Park.
In 1974 the Armory Park neighborhood was incorporated as a Historic Zone and in 1976 was added to the National Register of Historic Sites and Places, giving it status as a site worthy of preservation. This ensures that all Tucsonans and visitors alike will be able to enjoy the charm of the little neighborhood that arrived with the railroad.
The Schools
Armory Park homes are served by the Tucson School District including the Safford Elementary, Safford-Magnet Middle and Tucson High Schools.
Armory Park is definitely worth a visit, and if you’re home shopping and you believe that new homes can’t replace the charm of old historic homes, then you might want to explore what Armory Park has to offer!
