Barrio Historico

The Barrio

Historic Mexican Tucson District

Description

Bright-colored buildings, Sonoran adobe architecture, and historic charm characterize the Barrio Historico. This historic district in Tucson is the heart of Mexican-American side of Tucson. The 19th-century neighborhood features mostly adobe architectural styles including flat roofs, row houses, minimal yards, and lots of bright colors. Adobe refers to the materials used to construct the homes including mud, clay, and sand bricks and are typical throughout Mexico and the American Southwest for their longstanding ability to weather hot climates and even earthquakes. The charming area is mostly a residential neighborhood with both original aging crumbling structures and many restored original adobes that are used as homes or offices.