Las Torres estate became the Doubletree restaurant

[photo moved to image asset]

_{1971 Star files}

_{Frank Cobb LaMar estate of Las Torres}

Long considered one of the showplace homes in Tucson, LaMar built his retirement home, at the corner of Elmwood and Alvernon in 1938. He named it Las Torres or The Towers. His home was about 2,000 square feet and the grounds covered more than two and a half acres.

The estate was LaMar’s hobby. There were ponds with fish, sculptures and beautiful landscaping and orange groves. Peacocks roamed the grounds and spent time prancing in front of a large mirror that LaMar set out for them.

There was a bronze statue to a favorite dog and a wishing well. Before heading overseas, 80 servicemen from Davis Monthan had made a wish for survival and everyone of them made it back.

Before retiring LaMar had an interesting life. He is credited with starting the concept classified advertising. He sold his idea to the Chicago Daily News when he wasn’t yet 17-years old. After that, he had enough money to go to the Klondike gold rush. He later had other inventions and with his wife, several successful business ventures.

LaMar retired to Tucson in 1928. He developed La Mar City Acres on W. Ajo Rd. and spearheaded the building of the Alamo Hotel at Five Points. He died in 1960 at the age of 84.

[photo moved to image asset]

_{1971 Star files}

_{The future Doubletree restaurant}

In 1971, the Doubletree operations from Phoenix converted the property into a restaurant. After renovations which more than tripled the space, it opened at Christmastime in 1971. It was called the Doubletree until the new hotel went in down the street. It’s name was changed to the Bottle Tree. The location, at 60 N. Alvernon Way, is now an Old Pueblo Grille.