Major remodeling by SP rr in 1941 transformed the 1907 depot into "Art Moderne" version of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture (SCR) of the original built in 1907. "Modern" architectural style was popular in mid-20th century Tucson. SCR remnants: red tile roof, white stucco, twin towers and columned front porch arcade. Note the arched window opening in the tower's side wall, a Spanish Mission feature which is often incorporated into SCR. (sorry about the vehicles - need to visit Sunday or after working hours)
(submitted by Rich A. on 02/22/14)
The most noticeable modification was streamlining of the towers (compare below photo of the 1907 building), which now sport gable-end roof with flush side edge, and NO wide overhang. The 3 green window/door openings at left replaced the original two arched doors, which were at loading platform height. Amtrak's sign above the green door is the only hint it's a depot; it appears as merely a 400' long commercial building. The elaborate brick-capped parapets of the towers were eliminated, along with the elaborate sculptured ornamentation (Churrigueresque Architecture)
(submitted by Rich A. on 02/22/14)
The original 1907 depot (unknown date). Photo of the original design of the 1907 depot appears as stucco- over- brick tan building with brick-capped parapets on the four corners of the twin towers (and end chimneys). The side-face of each tower featured a Spanish Mission Revival style facade: an arched window bracketed by the parapets. The end-facing arched windows are now preserved. The double-pitched 2nd floor roof now is eliminated along with the wide front overhang. Conversely, the south 1st floor roof now has a widened front roof and a double pitch added to the roof. The awnings were a SCR architectural feature, in the southwest, they would have helped shade out the sun. SP rr made major structural changes, extending the first floor to the north and the second floor both ways. Originally the second floor did not extend past the twin tower edges. The Greek-styled columned front porch arcade was extended to the buildings' south end with a shed-type roof extension out the front. The original roof style was retained: first floor gable ends and second floor hip roof. http://parentseyes.arizona.edu/tommarshallstucson/chapter3-3.htm
(submitted by Rich A. on 02/22/14)
[Sorry - enlarged view] The sculptured ornamentation detail of Churrigueresque Architecture as seen around windows of the towers - a character of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture (SCR) in the new world colonial buildings, which also incorporated Mission Revival style elements and Pueblo Revival style (the vigas - logs protruding out the front above the center colums). Primary SCR features originally were red clay tiled roof with wide broad-rimmed roof overhang, low-pitched shed-type roof (although hip roof on 2nd story), arched window and door openings, symmetrical features, twin towers framing columned portico front arcade between the towers.
(submitted by Rich A. on 02/22/14)
