Question: Who Was the Architect of Our House?

We recently received a comment that contains a great question for the PrairieMod Community to help answer.

Our house is part of a development of about 100 homes at the base of the Catalina Mountains in northeast Tucson. While our house was built in 1983, the development first broke ground in the early 1960s. Financial ruin prevented the entire development from being built, until the early 1980s, when a new developer intervened. He chose to complete construction of the remaining homes based on the original architect's plans from the 1960's.

I know this information based solely on "oral history" -- speaking with my neighbors who are original owners from fifty years ago. I'm very interested in learning the history of this little development in the desert; the name of the architect, perhaps even locating original blueprints, etc. But I am stymied over where to begin my investigation!

Are there any suggestions for me? My husband and I hope to live in our little "Mid-Century-Wanna-Be" through our retirement years and look forward to the adventure of restoring it to the intent of the original architect. Any suggestions you have would be a great help.

Thank you - Joan + Christopher from Tucson, Arizona

If you have any leads or tips for them, leave a comment.

Comments

[Sherry Dillard]

I believe that the architect and/or contractor is a matter of public record. I would suggest taking whatever information you have down to the court house in downtown Tucson and checking with the clerk of records. They may have a different name for the department, but it is where all the deeds are registered. If they don't have the information that you need, they should be able to refer you to the appropriate department. If their records don't go back that far, then I would head over to the Arizona Historical Museum (just off the U. of A. campus)and inquire there. Ask for their archivist. He or she is in charge of all printed materials in their collections and he or she should be able to search their database to see if they have anything relevant.
Good Luck!

[Joan Zatorski]

Sherry, thank you so much! I think you win the award for "Bloodhound of the Week"! I'm getting started on your suggestions on Monday! Many thanks! Joan

[Eric Saed]

Another thing related to public records that you may be able to do online (depending on how your local tax assessor's record access is set up) would be to pull the original subdivision plat map. The map would include the name of the developer, and if the architect helped in designing the way lots were platted, that may be included as well.

In any respect, once you find out the developer's name, you could then do a search of your local newspaper's archives and see if any articles were ever written about your subdivision or any houses in it.

[Felix Stankevicius]

Another place to look is the building department, could be city or county. Some building departments retain approved drawings.