Photos of Tucson's Historic El Conquistador Hotel, demolished in 1968
The historic El Conquistador Hotel, designed by Annie Graham Rockfellow, opened in 1928 and was demolished in 1968 to make way for the expansion of El Con Shopping Center, now known as El Con Mall.
The Star has a Tucson history email newsletter! Sign up: tucson.com/timemachine
El Conquistador Hotel
Aerial photo of the El Conquistador Hotel taken in 1940. The hotel would share the property with El Con Shopping Center to the east (right) after the property was sold in 1957. The El Conquistador opened in 1928, was torn down in 1968.
El Conquistador Hotel
The El Conquistador Hotel in January, 1963. The hotel was designed by architect Annie Graham Rockfellow, who graduated from M.I.T. and taught at the University of Arizona prior to joining architect Henry O. Jaastad's firm in Tucson. She also designed the first buildings for the Desert Sanatorium, now Tucson Medical Center, and numerous homes and churches in Tucson and Southern Arizona.
El Conquistador Hotel
A Royal typewriter with hotel stationary behind the front desk of the abandoned El Conquistador Hotel in March, 1968, awaiting demolition.
El Conquistador Hotel
Aerial view of the El Conquistador Hotel in 1954. The hotel would share the property with El Con Shopping Center to the east (right) after the property was sold in 1957. The "open-air mall" began taking shape in 1959. The marriage didn't last and the hotel was closed by 1964 and demolished in 1968 to make way for the mall footprint in existence today.
El Conquistador Hotel
Cast iron tubs and other bathroom fixtures salvaged from the abandoned El Conquistador Hotel in March, 1968, as it was undergoing demolition. The tower shows the building's Mission-style architecture.
El Conquistador Hotel
The pool at El Conquistador Hotel around 194l.
El Conquistador Hotel
El Conquistador Hotel and grounds on Aug. 15, 1951.
El Conquistador Hotel
Eagles adorned the porte-cochere (carriage porch) outside the lobby of the El Conquistador Hotel. Photo taken March, 1968, when hotel was awaiting demolition.
El Conquistador Hotel
The nearly empty pool behind the abandoned El Conquistador Hotel in March, 1968, awaiting demolition. The hotel was built on 120-acres, so there was plenty of for the pool, casitas, tennis courts and a riding stable. The pool was constructed years after the original hotel opened.
El Conquistador Hotel
Historic bathroom fixtures, windows and doors salvaged from the hotel before demolition sit in the lobby of El Conquistador Hotel in March, 1968.
El Conquistador Hotel
The boarded-up windows below the Terrace Lounge sign, which beckoned bar patrons but stands silent in 1968 at the abandoned El Conquistador Hotel.
El Conquistador Hotel
The El Con Shopping Center during construction in August, 1961. As designed, it was open to outside air at both ends. It had "indirect air conditioning," according to the Tucson Citizen, "with cool air released through entrances to stores on either side." The original tenants included Woolworth's, Kresge, El Rancho Market, Lerner's, House of Fabric, GallenKamp Shoes and Kinney Shoes.
El Conquistador Hotel
El Con mall in January, 1972, shortly after it was enclosed after more than 10 years as an open-air mall.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
Rick Wiley is the photo editor of the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson. From 1995-2004, he was director of photography at the East Valley Tribune in Mesa. From 1988-94 he was a photographer at the Tucson Citizen. He is a graduate of ASU (yes, that ASU).
El Conquistador Hotel was demolished in 1968 to make way for El Con Mall, which will soon see one of its anchor buildings razed to make way fo…
The "de-malling" of El Con has begun. Demolition crews already have torn down the west wing and the food court on the north end of the mall at 3601 E. Broadway.
Demolition continues at El Con Mall. The central Tucson mall, which got its start in the early 1960s, is being partially demolished to make wa…
Once upon a time, when half a million dollars bought more than it does today, some capitalists outside of Tucson decided such a sum could make…
Tucson’s oldest mall has new owners. El Con Mall was purchased for $81.7 million by a group fronted by St. Louis Rams owner Stanley Kroenke.
Round Two of our look at Tucson area views 40, 50, 60 years ago and from the same spot in 2014.
Round Two of our look at Tucson area views 40, 50, 60 years ago and from the same spot in 2014.
Tucson 40, 50, 60 years ago and from the same spot in 2014.
Tucson is transitioning back to a low grade monsoon pattern.
The men were subsequently arrested for immigration violations.
When Jason Macoviak talks about his summer garden or his winter garden, he’s not talking about a seasonal transformation of his Bisbee yard.
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some Aug. 24 papers in history. With a subscription to newspapers.…
Yelp reviewer: "If you need to hide from god, your job, your sponsor, and sunlight at 6am while listening to 'Neon Moon' then look no further, 'cause no one will look for you here."
Zinke declined to say whether portions of the monuments would be opened up to oil and gas drilling, mining, logging and other industries for which Trump has advocated.
Though the vaccine will be initially targeted to dogs, it could eventually be effective for humans, too.
Lottery officials say Mavis L. Wanczyk chose to take a lump sum payment of $480 million, or $336 million after taxes.
When you look at Stegeman's voting pattern, you see the Tucson Unified School District board member undermining a superintendent again and again.
An officer, a sergeant and a police lieutenant responded to the branch library where the councilman's sunglasses were stolen Aug. 3 while he was in the men's room
The firms offer 24-Hour emergency restoration of water, fire and mold damage for homes and businesses.
Highlights from the UA's media availability after practice Thursday morning.
If you've been holding a grudge, Friday, Aug. 25, is the day to let go of it. It's National Kiss and Make Up day.
Ryan McBrayer, a former Sabercat player, assistant and coordinator takes over as head coach at Sabino High School in Tucson. Video by Kelly Pr…
Top six takeaways from the Arizona Wildcats training camps that ended with a scrimmage Saturday:
The 6-foot-6-inch future Arizona Wildcat gives Amphi more than just a puncher's chance.
A major conflict is brewing between Arizona's copper industry and environmentalists and recreationists over the future of three monuments.
The driver let students off at a non-designated bus stop.
The selection of another new superintendent for TUSD followed a familiar pattern
Service, which was out for more than six hours, was restored by 10 p.m.
Man treated and taken to a Tucson hospital.
Man was identified through social media posts and at least one interview.
Drugs were worth about $48,000.
A Q&A with the freshman quarterback who has a shot to become the third QB on Arizona's depth chart this season.
Silverbell Commons, on Silverbell and Goret roads, will have 51 homes.
One of Tucson's man-made wonders was rendered invisible 20 years ago, hidden behind a retaining wall.
Trying times have made Arizona Wildcats freshman receiver tougher.
Advice for the real world.
Authorities found suspect, man in Florida.
It was called "One City, One County, One Community."
Michael Sauber Jr. lost his job with the Tucson Police Department but won't be prosecuted after his arrest in July.
Twelfth annual festival brings in bands we may never have heard of and some local favorites for five-day Labor Day event.
The man fatally stabbed was Jeremy Broussard, 36, police said.
The cyclists included riders from Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The road closure is expected to be lifted at 2 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26.
Felicia Chew said free bus rides would help voters get to election centers to drop off ballots.
The school's astronomy club traveled to the path of totality to contribute to coronal science.
Advice for the real world.
Chances for showers, thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.
Sheriff's officials are still looking for information that could lead to the arrest of the vandals.
A third person was uninjured.
As of Tuesday, the shelter had 653 pets waiting to find homes.
Wilborn continued his impressive summer with a noteworthy performance in the ‘Beanie Bowl’ at Arizona Stadium.
Driver remained at the scene; no arrests or citations are pending.
Sean Miller touches on incoming talent, returning players in Star interview.
After spending nearly 40 years in the legal profession, including more than eight as a U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge, Hector Estrada ha…
She allowed "dangerous suspects" to walk free, her former supervisors said.
Property owner Todd Kroepel said the woman who rented out the condemned trailers had no authority to do so.
Philosophy is changing on drug-exposed newborns, and that's decreasing the need to give them morphine and is reducing their hospital stays.
TUSD Board members, stakeholders weigh in on return of Mexican American Studies.
Registration ends at 200 participants or by Friday, Sept. 1.
No more dreams of a taxpayer-subsidized "Diamond Rock Plaza" — just a solid convention hotel.
Therapy dogs in U.S. law enforcement are not common, says Sgt. Jill Isely of the Sheriff's Department.
Valley fever infects more than 13,000 people annually in Arizona and California and kills more than 100.
Attending the Trump protest in Phoenix was the continuation of her lessons as an active citizen and as a student engaged in the political process.
Roughly 18 percent of the ballots sent out have been returned as of Friday.
"Arizona is, to a greater or lesser degree, selling water to California," CAP attorney said of the later-killed deal.
Dear Jeanne & Leonard:
PHOENIX (AP) — Racism was behind an Arizona ban on ethnic studies that shuttered a popular Mexican-American Studies program, a federal judge s…
A family of five and their pets are displaced after an attic fire in mobile home.
No one believes in these ragtag Cats … except the Cats themselves, who are united by a common cause.
"That’s a city that I’ve always wanted to play," says the veteran singer-songwriter who bears a striking resemblance to James Brown.
The Theresa Rebeck play is compelling while being oddly anti-feminist
Star sports columnist Greg Hansen offers his opinion on recent sports news.
PHOENIX — In his 24 years as metro Phoenix’s sheriff, Joe Arpaio survived scandals and dodged investigations that would easily have sunk the c…
The study from a United Nations-based group found that most major U.S. cities also have a long path ahead to reach environmental and economic sustainability.
Ruling said judges must decide whether to require shackles individually.
Unit in prison was on lockdown Monday following disturbance.
New policies by the Arizona Interscholastic Association including guidance for team travel, the pregame coin-toss, sideline behavior and equipment use.
Brandon Williams missed all of last season after undergoing a second surgery on a congenital condition above his right knee. And while he has resumed basketball activities near his Southern California home, he has no immediate plans to leave there.
Last month, the Star detailed allegations of abuse and neglect levied by eight former members of the UA track and field team. In the weeks that followed, 12 more have come forward.
SB 1456 ensures that parents know — and approve — what their children are being taught about in the classroom about sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, proponents say.