1959 Tucson home photos: Camel footprints all over
From the Photos: Peek inside these 80+ historic Tucson homes series
The home of Frederic Galbraith and his family was decorated with items gathered from travels. Four large Oriental rugs had camel footprints in the design. The home was photographed by the Tucson Citizen in 1959.
1959 Tucson home photos: Camel footprints all over
Patio at the Galbraith's is a cool green haven. The wrought iron furniture on the bricked terrace is painted green, and bright spots on the long bench are big pots of gay pink petunias. Flower borders surround the grassy area—white roses and periwinkles are blooming right now—and the patio is enclosed by a green picket fence and towering oleanders.
1959 Tucson home photos: Camel footprints all over
Dating from the 10th Century is this magnificent Northern Sung Dynasty painting. It hangs above a French Provincial settee and is the center of interest in a room filled with interesting objects. In the foreground brass scaled from Mexico rest on an ancient copper tray which came from Morocco — the tray itself sits on a quaint Arabic folding stand. Note the pattern of the colorful Persian rug: it represents the footprint of a camel.
1959 Tucson home photos: Camel footprints all over
Chinese porcelains are displayed in a corner, built-in cabinet and its twin in the dining room. Draperies for both the living room and dining room are Italian Fortunys. Dining room chairs are antique English Chippendales which have been in Dr. Galbraith's family for many years.
1959 Tucson home photos: Camel footprints all over
The Galbraith's will be happy when cool weather comes to the Old Pueblo so they can again enjoy their living room fireplace. On the left side of the fireplace hangs a Samurai sword, presented to Dr. Galbraith by a Japanese officer at the close of World War II. The other is a matador's sword from Toledo, Spain. The painting above came from Morocco.
1959 Tucson home photos: Camel footprints all over
Prominent on the screened porch overlooking the patio are these large bullfight prints. Aficionados, the Galbraith's attend every corrida they can. The quaint lamp just below is an old English carriage lamp. Two others are bracketed on each side of the door from the living room (not shown). One of the two bedrooms also opens on this favored room for breakfasting.
1959 Tucson home photos: Camel footprints all over
Another view of the screened porch.
1959 Tucson home photos: Camel footprints all over
Another view of the living room.
1959 Tucson home photos: Camel footprints all over
Dating from the 10th Century is this magnificent Northern Sung Dynasty painting. It hangs above a French Provincial settee and is the center of interest in a room filled with interesting objects. In the foreground brass scaled from Mexico rest on an ancient copper tray which came from Morocco — the tray itself sits on a quaint Arabic folding stand. Note the pattern of the colorful Persian rug: it represents the footprint of a camel.

