527-529 South Meyer Avenue (House), Tucson

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS ARIZ,10-TUCSO,30/28-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

This flat-roofed Sonoran adobe row house blends with the adjacent buildings on both sides through its height, set- back, and style, to contribute to the planar qualities of the South Meyer Avenue streetscape. It is one of the few structures on the "block that retains its original flat roof. PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History: 1. Date of erection: probably 2. Architect: None knovn. 3. Original and subsequent owners: See chain of title below. Part of Lot 3, Block north 2k* parcel 20. Deed, November 15, recorded in Volume k2, page Deed, "February 25, recorded in Volume k5, page Refugio Ramirez to Flernin J. Zumano. Deed, April 17, recorded in Volume kj, page 28. Henry Menager Estate to Refugio Ramirez.

Deed, April 2U, recorded in Volume page Estate of Fiermin Zunanc to Manuel Zumano. k* Builder: Unknown. ' 5- Alterations and additions: A snail addition to the rear, between and transformed this L shaped structure into a rectangular plan. SOUTH MEYER AVSNU2 HABS Ho. AZ-73-28 (Page 2) B. Historical Persons and Events Connected with the Structure: The first name connected with this dwelling is that of Atiastacio Lobato who lived there with his family in the early Anas- tacio his son, vas killed by the Chinese grocer on the north- east corner of Convent and Kennedy when the hoy tied some firecrackers across the door of the store and startled the grocer who ran out with a gun. Between and the residence housed a number of working- class Spanish-surnamed tenants.

Jennie Serrano, a widow horn in Haven, Arizona, has occupied the house since Serrano reared three daughters, none of whom live in the Barrio. Prepared by: Ann E. Huston Project Historian, Maureen L. Gerhold Assistant Project Historian Historic American Buildings Survey September PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A.. General Statement: 1. Architectural character: This building is an example of the typical two-bay adobe row house found in the Barrio. 2. Condition of fabric: Generally sound. There are some cosmetic problems due to water damage which could turn into more serious problems if unattended. B. Description of Exterior: 1. Over-all dimensions: The building measures approximately 23' from north-to-south on its west facade and 29' from west-to east on its north facade.

It abuts an adjacent building on the south. In addi- tion to the main building mass, there are numerous wood shed addi- tions to the east rear. 2. Foundations: Inaccessible. The new north wall has a concrete foundation. 3. Wall construction, finish, and color: The west, south, and east walls are of mud adobe, plastered and painted white. The north wall is a concrete block wall, unpainted. h. Structural system, framing: The adobe bearing walls support a standard ceiling and roof framing system. This framing system is inaccessible. SOUTH MEYER AVENUE HABS No. AZ-T3-28 (Page 3) 5. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: "There are two entrance doors on the vest front. The northernmost doorway contains a three-glass panel door topped vith a transom.

The southernmost doorway contains a door with a glass panel over a solid wood panel. There is also a transom. A four-panel door is located at the north end of the east rear facade. b. Windows: The west facade of the building contains two double- hung wood sash windows - The window to the north side has two- over-two lights; that to the south has two lights over one. Roof: a. Shape, covering: The building has a flat roof, gently sloping toward the east rear. There are parapet walls on the north and south sides. The roof surface is rolled asphalt. b. Eaves, cornice: The roof extends over the front west wall with 2" x U" rafter ends projecting. The match bead board sheathing is exposed. There is a sheet-metal edging. B. Description of the Interior: 1.

Floor plan: The plan of this building is a basic four squares. Both, front (west) rooms have openings onto the street. They both provide access to the rooms behind, and connect to each other. The rooms to the east of the front rooms do not connect to each other. To the rear of the building there are two shed constructions in shot-gun arrangement. They are of lightweight frame construction. The bathroom is located in a detached structure in the rear yard. In the main house, the northwest room is used as the living room; the southwest room is a bedroom. The northeast room is a chapel; ' the southeast room is a kitchen. 2. Flooring: There are wood floors of 3h" Douglas Fir. 3.

Wall and ceiling finish: With the exception of the north building wall, all interior walls are of plaster on mud adobe. The north wall is exposed concrete blocks. The ceilings are of lath and plaster or new sheetrock. k. Openings: The doorways are without closures. They have board jambs and are finished with eigher 3V or 5V' flat board trim. 5* Decorative features and trie:: The doorways and inside of windows ^w have 5V and 3V flat board trim. There is a 5" flat baseboard. SOUTH- MEYER AVENUE HABS No. AZ-73-28 (Page k) 6. Mechanical equipment: a. Heating: None. b. Lighting: Standard electrical service has "been added. c. Plumbing: The kitchen is provided with a standard sink; the "bathroom is situated in a detached "building to the rear of the house. D. Site: 1.

General setting and orientation: The "building is situated on the east side of South Meyer Avenue, with its principal facade facing west. It is "built about seven feet "back from the west property line and abuts the adjacent "building on the south. There is an area-way about four feet wide to the north. 2. Enclosures and planting: The rear yard extends into the center of the block. It is divided into two areas. That area closest to the building contains shed additions, storage sheds, and the outdoor toilet or bathroom. The outer yard is defined by corru- gated metal and wood fencing. There is one large Chinaberry tree (Melia Azedarach) in the outer yard in addition to several mis- cellaneous- small trees. Prepared by: Prof. Robert C.

Giebner Project Supervisor Professor of Architecture University of Arizona July PART III. SOURCES OF INFORMATION Building slip, Pima County Assessor's Office. Sanborn Fire Insurance Company maps, 191U, I9U8. Tract Books, Pioneer National Title Insurance Company (Microfilm, Recorder'. records). Tucson City Directories, Oral Interviews: Jennie Serrano, S. Meyer Ave. Eliazar Herreras, E. Waverly. SOUTH MEYER AVENUE HABS Ho. AZ-73-28 (Page 5 PART IV. PROJECT INFORMATION This project vas undertaken by the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) of the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service's National Architectural and Engineering Record (NAER) in cooperation with the Tucson Barrio Association, Inc.

Funds for the project were provided "by the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office and the Arizona State Office of Economic Planning and Development. Under the direction of Robert Kapsch, Chief of NAER, John Poppeliers, Chief of HABS, and Kenneth L. Anderson, Principal Architect, the project was completed during the summer of at the HABS field office in Tucson, Arizona, by Robert C. Giebner, Project Supervisor (Professor of Architecture, University of Aritona); William Joseph Graham, Project Foreman (University of Maryland); Ann E. Huston, Project Historian (California State University, Sacramento); Maureen L.

Gerhold, Assistant Historian (Pennsylvania State University); Student Architects Scott Marshall Dolph (University of Arizona); Carol Jean Lemon (Washington State Uni- versity); and Harrison Adam Sutphin (Virginia Tech); and Comprehensive Employ- ment and Training Act (CETA) Summer Youth Employment Program Interns: Maria Arriola (Tucson High School); Ernest Cota; Lupita Lopez (Tucson High School); and Anna Trinidad. Photographic records were made for HABS by David J. Kaminsky, Photo- grapher, Roswell, New Mexico. Editing and final preparation of the documentation was carried out in in the HABS Washington Office by William Joseph Graham, Architect, and Lucy Pope Wheeler, Writer/Editor, of the HABS Professional staff.