1961 home photos: Hermosillo home's colonial beauty
From the Photos: Peek inside these 80+ historic Tucson homes series
The Tucson Citizen photographed the home of Alfonso P. Garcia and his family in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, in 1961. The style of the home was reminiscent of the French Quarter in New Orleans.
1961 home photos: Hermosillo home's colonial beauty
An Italian painting of the ocean (so realistic that one can almost hear the water splash) hangs over the mantel in the informal living room. Opposite the fireplace wall windows overlook the patio. To the right is the formal dining room and living room.
1961 home photos: Hermosillo home's colonial beauty
Lush green tropical plants and beautiful flowers decorate the patio of the Colonial-style home of Sr. and Sra. Alfonso P. Garcia in Hermosillo, Son., Mexico. The plants show up to great advantage against the highly polished red tile floor. The Garcias' oldest daughter Marcia chats on the telephone in the gallery which opens onto the sleeping area. To the right beyond the patio is the family living room overlooking the back garden and swimming pool.
1961 home photos: Hermosillo home's colonial beauty
Long galleries extend along both sides of the patio. Beams of the high ceiling are white as are the posts, railings and wooden trim on door and windows. Blue and white tiles frame doors and windows.
1961 home photos: Hermosillo home's colonial beauty
In the corner of the family living room is a small shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron of Mexico. The majority of Mexican homes have a place where members of the family can say a prayer of petition or thanksgiving to a favorite saint.
1961 home photos: Hermosillo home's colonial beauty
Sr. Garcia's library stuck has the original beamed ceiling put in when the house was built more than 100 years ago. Contrasting with the heavy, antique desk and ornate beams is a modern fireplace on the right wall (not shown). It is built into the wall about 18 inches off the floor and framed with a stand-away border of cement.
1961 home photos: Hermosillo home's colonial beauty
Anyone unfamiliar with the continental custom of building houses, so that they open right onto the street, would never guess that the unassuming gray building at Oregon 46 is actually a beautiful home. The front door (pictured) and windows feature a lovely white wrought iron grating. As you enter the Garcia home, the formal "sala" (living room) opens to the right off the foyer.
1961 home photos: Hermosillo home's colonial beauty
Looking into the family living room.
1961 home photos: Hermosillo home's colonial beauty
The kitchen.
Take a peek into these Southern Arizona homes from the 50s and 60s.
Man fled when approached by officer, but caught later by Border Patrol.
The home of Mrs. Laura Ganoung was photographed by the Tucson Citizen for its Home section. Mrs. Ganoung's home was filled with antiques inclu…
The home of F. T. "Limie" Gibbings was photographed by the Tucson Citizen in 1963. It was a treasure trove of antiques.
The home of the Gilbertsons was photographed by the Tucson Citizen in 1960. The family called the home "Casa de Monte Cielo" or "House of the …
The Tucson Citizen photographed a home for a 1966 home section that showed what an interior designed can do for his own home. In this case, a …
Alvin Gordon's home was photographed for the Tucson Citizen home section in 1963. The home had Spanish, Mexican and Native American accents.