HISTORICAL SITE

HOTEL CONGRESS

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.

BY
Tucson Presidio Trust for Historic Preservation,
Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission, and Arizona Historical Society

In this hotel the bank robber John Dillinger was caught when he stayed in the hotel, and in a fire that was detected by the firemen

The hotel was photographed on the same day by the same photographer Click for a larger image Click for a larger image