Manning House: Then and now
The historic Manning House downtown has been sold to El Rio Community Heath Center and will become its administrative headquarters. After some renovations to the 106-year-old building, about 175 employees will move into the formal mayoral mansion and receptions venue. Here's a look at the historic property from 1914 to today.
Manning House: Then and now
This photo from 1914 shows the outside of the Manning House, which was built more than 100 years ago. The home was designed by Southwestern architect Henry Trost with considerable input from Levi Manning's wife, Gussie, and combined Spanish Colonial, Territorial, Italian Renaissance and Prairie style architecture into one extended structure, surrounded by palm trees and bougainvillea plants.
Manning House: Then and now
The Manning House as it looked circa 1940 in Tucson. The house was built more than 100 years ago for entrepreneur Levi Manning of stuccoed brick on a rock foundation. With 12,000 square feet, it housed the Manning family and their servants.
Manning House: Then and now
Gussie Manning, wife of the original owner, commissioned a leading Mexican-born artist, Salvador Corona, to paint frescoes in the building's south rotunda. The frescoes feature exotic birds and floral designs in pale blue, gold and silver hues, and the artwork still remains today.
Manning House: Then and now
The Manning House was the scene of many parties when Clare Schnaufer lived there until her marriage in 1948. This photo was taken sometime around 1940 in Tucson.
Manning House: Then and now
Inside the Manning House, circa 1940, in Tucson.
Manning House: Then and now
Inside a Manning House bedroom.
Manning House: Then and now
Inside the Manning House, circa 1940 in Tucson.
Manning House: Then and now
The Manning House had many amenities for its time, including a stable and the city's first private swimming pool. When Claire Schnaufer grew up there in the 1930s and 1940s, ÒWe had an Arabian stallion over there, a horse, a cow, chickens and peacocks. We had palm trees, cottonwood trees and a walnut tree outside. We had two goldfish ponds. We had a cook, a maid, a laundress and a chauffeur.Ó
Manning House: Then and now
Howell Manning Sr. was the son of Levi and Gussie Manning. The photo was likely taken in the 1920s.
Manning House: Then and now
The rotunda that opened up from the bedroom of former Tucson Mayor Levi Manning.
Manning House: Then and now
The Manning House fell into a state of disrepair before restoration efforts began in the 1980s. This photo was taken 30 years ago. The current owner, Colleen Concannon, has made extensive renovations since she bought the property in 1997.
Manning House: Then and now
Today, the future of Tucson's historic Manning House is uncertain as the owner seeks a buyer. The bank that holds the note has threatened to foreclose on the property. This photo, from the south end of the building, was taken Friday, March 29, 2013.
Manning House: Then and now
The exterior of the historic Manning House as it looks today.
Manning House: Then and now
The patio on the north front of the historic Manning House, as seen Friday, March 29, 2013, in downtown Tucson.
Manning House
The Atrium room of the Manning House Photo by David Sanders. Photo taken on 2/25/2000.
Manning House
The lush grounds and front entryway to the Manning House at 450 W. Paseo Redondo in downtown Tucson, Thursday, May 12, 2011. Photo by David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star
Manning House
Flowers bloom outside the historic Manning House, in Tucson, Arizona, Friday evening, Oct. 17, 2003. Neighborhood activist Daphne Madison (DAPHNE MADISON, not in photo) is hoping to get the city to turn the railroad tracks right-of-way between 22nd street and St. Mary's Rd., into a greenway multi-use path that would pass by the House. Photo by Chris Richards. Assign.#103393. Manditory credit, mags out, sales out. OCTOBER 20, 2003 A11 Photos by Chris Richards / Staff: The historic Manning House, left, is part of the beauty of Downtown. Owner Colleen Concannon says she favors the greenway concept as long as the open space does not attract transients.
Manning House
The Historic Manning House at 450 W. Paseo Redondo. The historic 36,000 square foot designed in 1907 by architect Henry Trost for the Manning Family. Photo by Lindsay A. Miller/Arizona Daily Star Transmission
Manning House
The lush grounds and front entryway to the Manning House at 450 W. Paseo Redondo in downtown Tucson, Thursday, May 12, 2011. Photo by David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star
At 106 years old, downtown's Manning House remains as showy, stately and historic as ever.