Johnny Gibson Barber Shop (Closed)
Tucson, AZ Photo courtesy Gorb70
Here's the former Johnny Gibson Barber Shop which was once owned by Tucson legendary Johnny Gibson. Gibson spent 52 years cutting hair after opening Johnny Gibson Barber Shop in 1949. Gibson still gives haircuts every Tuesday at the now renamed Curley's Downtown Barber Shop on 6th Avenue. Many thanks to Gorb70 for info. 04-07
The shop began as the Palace Barber Shop in 1939. Johnny Gibson bought it after returning from World War II in 1949, renamed it and spent the next 52 years cutting the hair of generations of Tucson men and boys. He was also a decorated veteran of the 101st Airborne, a competitive bodybuilder named Mr. Arizona and the operator of a gym across the street. Apparently, cutting hair was only part of the routine.
Gibson sold the shop to his friend Tom Curley in 2001 but had a hard time staying away. For several years, he returned every Tuesday to work at his old chair and visit longtime customers. Gibson died in 2010 at age 88.
Danny Gamez, who had received haircuts from Gibson as a child, purchased the business in 2012. He renamed it Danny’s Downtown Barbershop and kept the original porcelain-and-metal chairs Gibson installed in 1949. Danny also continued the shop’s community role by offering free haircuts, food and a listening ear to people going through hard times.
UPDATE: The former Johnny Gibson and Curley’s shop remains open as Danny’s Downtown Barbershop. The name has changed again, but the original chairs and old-fashioned downtown barbershop atmosphere survive. 09-26
El Tiradito (Closed)
Tucson, AZ Photo courtesy Gorb70
The Indian Village Trading Post had been part of downtown Tucson for so long that its crowded windows and old storefront seemed to belong on Congress Street. Native American art, jewelry, pottery and souvenirs filled the shop, which had occupied this corner since at least the early 1950s. The building itself was even older, dating all the way back to 1897. 04-07
The trading post once had a 10-foot neon Native American figure dancing above the storefront, but that sign was removed in 1986. By 2007, the shop was preparing to leave as developers talked about replacing the surrounding property with condominiums and an upscale restaurant. A smaller location at colorful La Placita Village was announced as its new home.
Those plans did not move nearly as quickly as expected. The condominium project stalled, and the Indian Village continued operating on Congress Street until June 2012. After the shop finally departed, the old building sat empty and deteriorating while one downtown redevelopment idea after another came and went.
El Tiradito
Tucson, AZ Photo courtesy Gorb70
La Placita Village had its own complicated history. The brightly painted office and shopping complex was built during the 1970s on land cleared by an urban renewal project that displaced much of an older Mexican-American neighborhood. La Placita was demolished in 2018 and replaced by The Flin apartments, although three historic adobe buildings on the property were saved.
The Indian Village building found a better ending. Rio Nuevo purchased it in 2023 and began a major historical restoration. Workers uncovered its red brick and lava-rock walls, restored the tall storefront windows and adapted the long-vacant rooms for a new restaurant.
UPDATE: The former Indian Village Trading Post has reopened as a multi-level Cornish Pasty Co. restaurant with an open kitchen, basement wine lounge and upstairs bars. The 1897 building survives, but the old trading post signs are gone. 09-26
Reilly Building (Closed)
Tucson, AZ Photo and info courtesy Gorb70
The old Reilly Funeral Home stands out along Pennington Street with its zigzags, stepped shapes and vertical neon sign. Built in 1906, the mortuary received its Pueblo Deco makeover in 1935. John and Cecilia Reilly even raised their 10 children in the rooms upstairs. 04-07
The funeral home closed in 1990 and remained vacant for years. It was eventually restored and reopened in 2012 as Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink. The former chapel became the dining room, while the body-preparation cellar became the Tough Luck Club cocktail bar.
UPDATE: Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink remains open. The Pueblo Deco facade, stained-glass windows and original Reilly neon sign all survive. 09-26
Babbitt Brothers Building
Flagstaff, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Babbitt Brothers Building has been holding down its corner in downtown Flagstaff since 1888. Built from locally quarried red sandstone, the sturdy walls followed a town ban on wooden construction after several early fires. Apparently Flagstaff had already learned that lesson the hard way. 05-20
The Babbitt Brothers started here with building supplies, but the business eventually grew into Arizona’s largest department store. At its peak, the sprawling store filled half a city block and sold everything from groceries and clothing to hardware and saddles. One addition even served as Coconino County’s first courthouse from 1891 to 1894.
In 1957, the old sandstone was covered with smooth stucco in an attempt to modernize the store. After Babbitt’s closed in 1987, demolition appeared likely. The Babbitt Brothers Foundation rescued the property in 1991, removed the stucco and restored the original building. Later additions were demolished, with part of the cleared land becoming Heritage Square.
UPDATE: The restored Babbitt Brothers Building remains active with shops downstairs and apartments above. Babbitt’s Backcountry Outfitters occupies the main retail space, and the historic painted sign remains visible on the brickwork. 09-26
Saint James Apartments
Flagstaff, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Here’s the Saint James Apartments, an old residential building near Flagstaff’s historic downtown. Its sturdy exterior and simple apartment-house sign suggest that it has been part of the neighborhood for quite some time. 05-20
Unfortunately, the early history remains a mystery. No dependable records have surfaced to show whether it began as apartments, a rooming house or something else before taking the Saint James name.
UPDATE: The Saint James Apartments remain standing and in residential use. The building’s original construction date and first occupant are still unknown. 09-26
VFW
Coolidge, AZ Photo courtesy Gorb70
Here’s the red, white and blue marquee for Sgt. J.D. Wadkins Jr. VFW Post 3713 in Coolidge. Just to clear up an old caption mix-up, 3713 is the post number, not the street address. 03-06
The hall serves local veterans with help filing VA claims, support programs and a place to gather. It also hosts community dinners, youth activities, pool tournaments and Friday night karaoke.
UPDATE: VFW Post 3713 remains open and active. Its traditional patriotic roadside marquee continues to stand outside the hall. 09-26
Johnny Gibson Barber Shop (Closed)
El Tiradito (Closed)
El Tiradito
Reilly Building (Closed)
Babbitt Brothers Building
Saint James Apartments
VFW
