Find and Share Events with Friends 🥳
x
The History of Congress Street Walking Tour promotional image
Company Profile Image

The History of Congress Street Walking Tour

Educational History Tours

What’s Happening?

October 25, 9:30 am-12 pm
$20/member, $30/non-member
This tour begins on the southwest corner of Church and Congress Streets across from the Leo Kent Hotel (1 S. Church Ave.)

In 1870, east of Stone on Congress Street, was getting out of town. The arrival of the railroad and land speculation would pull development east to the railroad station and then vacant lots on Congress would begin filling in along the entire length of Congress Street. Livery stables would give way to multi-story buildings and favorite hangouts with bad reputations would vanish. There was a competition between the merchants in the older portion of Congress Street west of Stone and the East Congress merchants towards the railroad station. Department stores and the advent of movie theaters was an essential part of this competition. In the 1940's and 1950's, Congress Street was the place to be for a day of shopping, a movie, and lunch. With the arrival of suburban malls and strip commercial shops, Congress Street declined to the point of being boarded up, including the Fox Theatre. The rebirth of Congress Street began in the late 1980's with the recognition that preservation of the historic buildings would revitalize downtown. The modern streetcar was the final piece of the revitalization puzzle. Your guide, Ken Scoville, was involved directly with downtown and Congress Street from 1985 to the present.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received more than 24 hours in advance will receive a refund minus a small transaction fee. Cancellations received less than 24 hours in advance will not receive a refund.

The event also recurs on the following dates:

November 22, 2024 - 10:00AM to 12:30PM. For more information, please visit: Register

December 27, 2024 - 10:00AM to 12:30PM. For more information, please visit:
Register

October 25, 9:30 am-12 pm
$20/member, $30/non-member
This tour begins on the southwest corner of Church and Congress Streets across from the Leo Kent Hotel (1 S. Church Ave.)

In 1870, east of Stone on Congress Street, was getting out of town. The arrival of the railroad and land speculation would pull development east to the railroad station and then vacant lots on Congress would begin filling in along the entire length of Congress Street. Livery stables would give way to multi-story buildings and favorite hangouts with bad reputations would vanish. There was a competition between the merchants in the older portion of Congress Street west of Stone and the East Congress merchants towards the railroad station. Department stores and the advent of movie theaters was an essential part of this competition. In the 1940's and 1950's, Congress Street was the place to be for a day of shopping, a movie, and lunch. With the arrival of suburban malls and strip commercial shops, Congress Street declined to the point of being boarded up, including the Fox Theatre. The rebirth of Congress Street began in the late 1980's with the recognition that preservation of the historic buildings would revitalize downtown. The modern streetcar was the final piece of the revitalization puzzle. Your guide, Ken Scoville, was involved directly with downtown and Congress Street from 1985 to the present.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received more than 24 hours in advance will receive a refund minus a small transaction fee. Cancellations received less than 24 hours in advance will not receive a refund.

The event also recurs on the following dates:

November 22, 2024 - 10:00AM to 12:30PM. For more information, please visit: Register

December 27, 2024 - 10:00AM to 12:30PM. For more information, please visit:
Register

More about Presidio San Agustin del Tucson
At this re-creation of a Spanish fort built in 1775, experience a 150-year-old classic Sonoran Row house to see how houses were built before the railroad brought in the new building materials of that age. See archaeological remains of a pit house in the ground, and learn about the lives of early Native Americans. Our docents will take you on a tour of the Presidio Museum where you’ll discover how Tucson residents lived before air conditioning and cell phones. Kids of all ages can try out Presidio-era kids games in the box on the Territorial Patio and try on the cuera, the Presidio soldier’s version of chainmail, in the soldiers’ quarters. During our many Living History events, visitors enjoy demonstrations of blacksmithing, food preparation, and also see historical re-enactments, and soldier drills. We offer Tucson’s original historical walking tours. Our guides share their love of Tucson, keeping you entertained with interesting stories and facts. Visitors also see gorgeous murals or mansions, or learn about different historic neighborhoods on our walking tours. For wine lovers, there are also tours that include wine tasting.
When & Where
Multiple Dates
  • Oct 25, 2024, 9:30am to 12:00pm Timezone: MST
  • Nov 22, 2024, 10:00am to 12:30pm Timezone: MST
  • Dec 27, 2024, 10:00am to 12:30pm Timezone: MST
$30.00


More events from Presidio San Agustin del Tucson