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

Fox Tucson Theatre

El Teatro Fox Tucson

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 13, 2010

1. Fox Tucson Theatre Marker

Inscription. The Fox Tucson Theatre, the country's only southwestern art deco movie palace, was designed by California architect Eugene Durfee. Construction began in 1929 for the Tower Theatre, the crown jewel of the Diamos Brothers Southern Arizona Movie Theatre chain. Fox West Coast Theatres leased the building from the Diamoses and renamed it the Fox Theatre, opening on April 11, 1930, it soon became the community center of Tucson. In 1936, it became the city's first public building to have refrigerated air. Unoccupied from 1974 to 1998, it deteriorated. Revival efforts began in 1997, and in 1999 the Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation was formed to restore the theatre. Through extensive efforts of volunteers led by Fox Foundation executive director Herb Stratford, the faithfully restored Fox Tucson Theatre reopened on New Year's Eve 2005. The Theatre was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, and elevated to the national level of significance on April 16, 2004.

Spanish Translation: El Teatro Fox Tucson El Teatro Fox Tucson, un cine en el estilo del sud oste de Art Deco, fue diseñado por Eugene Durfee, arquitecto

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de California. La tierra estaba quebrada en 1929 para el teatro tower, la joya de corona de la cadena de cines meridional de la pelicula de Arizona de los hermanos Diamos. La compania de Fox West Coast arrendó el teatro y cambió el nombre a Fox Teatro. Se abrió el 11 de Abril de 1930, llegó a ser el centro de comunidad de Tucson. En 1936 era el primer edificio público en Tucson para tener aire refigerado. No ocupado a partir la 1974 a 1998, deterioró. La Fundacion del Teatro de Fox Tucson fue formada en 1999. Con los grandes esfuerzos de su director Herb Stratford y voluntarios, el teatro fielmente restaurado de Fox Tucson abrió de nuevo la víspera 2005 del Año Nuevo. Entrado en el National Register of Historic Places, Sept. 12, 2003, levantado a national level of significance, 16 de Abril de 2004.

Erected 2009 by Tucson – Pima County Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1873.

Location. 32° 13.316′ N,

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 13, 2010

2. Fox Tucson Theatre Marker

Spanish translation of marker text.

110° 58.295′ W. Marker is in Tucson, Arizona, in Pima County. It is in Downtown. It is on West Congress Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17 West Congress Street, Tucson AZ 85701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Sky Islands,

in the Sonoran Desert,

and in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Borderlands

and in the Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Gadsden Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Congress Street (a few steps from this marker); Jácome’s (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roy Place "Montgomery Ward" Building (about 300 feet away); La Catedral de San Agustin (about 400 feet away); August 20th Park (about 400 feet away); Charles O. Brown House (about 400 feet away); Convent Street (about 500 feet away); S. E. Corner Adobe Wall of Spanish Presidio of Tucson

Fox Tucson Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 13, 2010

3. Fox Tucson Theatre

Marker is engraved in glass of ticket booth.

(about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tucson.

Regarding Fox Tucson Theatre. This site is #21 on the Presidio Trail walking tour:
“After being closed for 30 years, this grand Art Deco movie theater has just been restored to its former greatness. Originally designed for vaudeville and silent movies, this became Tucson’s preeminent movie theater. It was the site of the world premier in 1939 of the film Arizona starring William Holden and Jean Arthur. It is planned to be used for both screen and stage events.”

Additional commentary.
1. See the blue line by the sidewalk inlays?
If you follow the blue line it will take you to all the historical buildings and area in downtown Tuscon.

— Submitted January 18, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 13, 2010

4. Fox Tucson Theatre

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 13, 2010

5. Fox Tucson Theatre

Sidewalk Inlays at the Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 15, 2011

6. Sidewalk Inlays at the Entrance

Fox Tucson Theatre - Lit at Night image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 15, 2011

7. Fox Tucson Theatre - Lit at Night

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,800 times since then and 91 times this year. Last updated on May 6, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 15, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 6, 7. submitted on January 18, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.