Tucson's 27 historic neighborhoods represent a myriad architectural styles and moments in the city's diverse history rooted in Spanish and Native American culture as well as the arrival of the railroad to further diversify Tucson's Americanization.
Tucson's oldest homes date back to the 1840s and represent Sonoran architecture. The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1880 brought Tucson into a new era of construction style and building materials.
Tucson's historic neighborhoods are scattered throughout the modern downtown area, near the Santa Cruz River and railroad, which were once the outpost's lifelines. Menlo Park is the only historic neighborhood west of the river.
El Presidio is the oldest neighborhood in Tucson, and most of its structures date from 1860s to 1920s. Rincon Heights is one of the city's first suburban neighborhoods with Craftsman Bungalow, Spanish Colonial Revival and Modern ranch homes.
More than 20 architectural styles can be found scattered throughout Tucson's historic areas. The most common styles are Sonoran, Spanish Colonial, Mediterranean Revival, Modern Ranch and Pueblo Revival.
