Pie Allen in Tucson in Pima County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Hotel Congress
Historical Site
The venerable Hotel Congress, designed by well-known architect, Roy Place, is the last surviving historic hotel in downtown Tucson. This three-story landmark was built in 1919 with exposed masonry construction and marble details. The hotel, south of the railroad depot, was convenient to railroad passengers arriving in Tucson. The elegant lobby and dining room provided a degree of refinement for winter visitors on their western adventure. A January 1934 fire destroyed the original third floor and inadvertently resulted in the capture of John Dillinger and his gang several days later. The Hotel Congress and the Rialto Theatre defined the east end of the commercial district on Congress Street.
Spanish Translation:
Erected by Tucson Presidio Trust for Historic Preservation, Tucson- Pima County Historical Commission, and Arizona Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1934.
Location. 32° 13.331′ N, 110° 58.018′ W. Marker is in Tucson, Arizona, in Pima County. It is in Pie Allen. Marker is at the intersection of East Congress Street and South 5th Avenue, on the right when traveling west on East Congress Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 E Congress St, 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. Congress Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Toole Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Southern Pacific Railroad (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Broadway Boulevard (about 400 feet away); Wyatt Earp Shot Frank Stilwell… (about 600 feet away); Locomotive 1673 / Locomotora 1673 (about 700 feet away); Historic Fourth Avenue Underpass (about 700 feet away); Fourth Avenue Underpass (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tucson.
More about this marker. Marker is on corner of Congress and 5th Avenue. Entrance to hotel is at 311 East Congress Street
Also see . . .
1. Hotel Congress. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 7, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.)
2. Hotel Congress. Hotel website homepage (Submitted on February 7, 2010.)
Additional commentary.
1. Architect
The marker fails to acknowledge the "original" architect of Hotel Congress and whose plans Roy Place followed in the updated building. The 1919 hotel was designed by California architect, Alexander (Alec) Curlett, who was also the architect of the nearby Rialto Theatre, which was an addition to the the now demolished Santa Rita, and the Tucson Warehouse on 6th Street. After the fire (which Dillinger was nowhere near. He was holed up in a nearby house at the time), the decision was made to keep the building to the two stories, probably due to cost.
— Submitted November 23, 2013, by Catherine Cramer of Tucson, Arizona.
2. Architect
There was a mistake in the wording of my addition. Alex Curlett designed the nearby Rialto. He also designed an addition to the now demolished Santa Rita Hotel, which is a separate structure, not an addition to the Rialto. Just wanted that to be clear.
— Submitted November 23, 2013, by Catherine Cramer of Tucson, Arizona.
Additional keywords. John Dillinger
Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,660 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on May 12, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 7, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on February 17, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 7, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.