Downtown in Tucson in Pima County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Charles O. Brown House

Historic Site

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, January 1, 2010

1. Charles O. Brown House Marker

Inscription. A small adobe house stood on the south side of this lot when it was purchased by Charlie Brown in 1868. Brown, a pre-Civil War settler and prominent citizen, built the Congress Hall Saloon, the town's most popular gaming place and meeting hall.

The house was expanded between 1876 and 1888, until it covered three sides of a square. It represents a classic blending of Mexican building designs and materials, with American Victorian trim.

The property was given to the Arizona Historical Society by Miss Elizabeth Congdon. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Spanish translation:
Casa de Charles O. Brown
Había una casita de adobe en la parte sur de este sitio cuando en 1868 lo compró Brown, Tucsonense desde 1858 y dueño de la cantina “Congress Hall”, centro de sesiones del pueblo y juegos de fortuna. Extendió la casita a los tres lados del cuadro actual entre 1876 y 1888, añadiendo adornos “American Victorian”. Elizabeth Congdon la presentó al Arizona Historical Society y el sitio se registró en “The National Register of Historic Places”.

Erected by Tucson Historical Committee and Arizona Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture

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• Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.

Location. 32° 13.252′ N, 110° 58.311′ W. Marker is in Tucson, Arizona, in Pima County. It is in Downtown. Marker is on West Broadway Boulevard, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 40 West Broadway Boulevard, Tucson AZ 85701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Convent Street (within shouting distance of this marker); August 20th Park (within shouting distance of this marker); La Catedral de San Agustin (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jackson Street (about 400 feet away); Fox Tucson Theatre (about 400 feet away); Congress Street (about 400 feet away); Plaza de la Mesilla (about 400 feet away); Ochoa Street (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tucson.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, January 1, 2010

2. Charles O. Brown House Marker

Spanish translation of marker text.

Charles O. Brown House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, January 1, 2010

3. Charles O. Brown House

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, January 1, 2010

4. Charles O. Brown House

View is across West Broadway Boulevard looking at north side of house.

Additional marker on the Charles O. Brown House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 9, 2015

5. Additional marker on the Charles O. Brown House

This marker to the left of the front door reads: "In grateful appreciation to Elisabeth Congdon for her generous and farsighted gift to the Arizona Pioneers' Historical Society thereby making it possible to preserve for our heritage this historical landmark - an example of a territorial residence in downtown Tucson in 1868. Former home of the Charles O. Brown family."

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,398 times since then and 60 times this year. Last updated on May 6, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 6, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 5. submitted on June 11, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.