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Peg Price | all galleries >> Galleries >> Historic Tucson > St. Joseph's Immaculate Heart Academy
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9 November 2003 Peg Price

St. Joseph's Immaculate Heart Academy

35 E. 15th Street

Dating from 1886, this two-story building is one of the largest surviving structures of its kind. Originally used as a convent, an addition was built that served as the FIRST CATHOLIC SCHOOL in Tucson.
The original second-floor wooden sleeping porches and belfry no longer exist but the interior chapel still remains. Beautiful stone sculpted water fountains remain in the front yard.
Stone from A Mountain (Sentinel Peak) was used to construct the first floor and the second floor is brick covered with stucco. The stonework was done by stonemason Jules le Flein.
On January 2 2004, St. Joseph's was bought by The Academy Lofts: "The outside of the building will be restored to its original character and the inside of the building, including the dormitory that was added in 1956, will be remodeled into 36 lofts. Each loft will have a new kitchen and bathroom as well as new electrical, heating and cooling systems. Rents are expected to be $800 to $900. "
From DOWNTOWN TUCSONAN


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Peg Price27-Jun-2009 00:21
Thanks for sharing such sweet memories of your time at this school.
Peg
Michael Sereno 26-Jun-2009 17:10
My grandmother,Amparo Carrillo, went to this school(early 1900's) as did her daughters Blanca and Barbara(1940's),and grandchildren Katheleen, Michael , and Barbara (1960's). I loved this school! The best swingset in town.The BEST school lunch ever.Lots of singing,learning,and praying. Big windows and cool location. I was blessed with nice nuns Srs:Angela,Katheleen ,Norma,& Emily. Sr Immaculata played piano for all classes to sing. She was blind. We were all amazed as how she did this. And how she made it down that long hallway to our class room. Beautiful wood interiors and staircase to the chapel and other rooms. There was a stage in the basement where all school shows and movies were shown. I loved to slide in my socks on the polished wood floor. We had Coke machines,a candy store at lunchtime,and ice cream sold after school. We waited for Dad to come and pick us up or walk to our grandmothers home on Main Street. At that time they had an incinerator for the trash. They also had the dreaded asphalt playground. I dont think I ever had a pair of pants without patches on the knees. Great memories.
Catherine 26-Oct-2008 04:14
I did a historical survey on this building. The second full story was added between 1899-1901, when permission was given to Mother Parrot who was the Superior at that time. The original plan was to extend the buildings first floor, but they put a concrete roof on the first floor which was easy to remove to build up. Other changes that I haven't been able to date are the windows in the original chapel. There were originally 2, with 2 openings in the area where the statuary is now (believe they were for cross ventilation). You can see where the original letters for St Josephs Academy stop at the center window and continue on past it towards the 3rd. Would like to find out when/why the change was made.
Guest 09-Oct-2006 03:09
My young sister Rosella and I both attended this school; I, in 8th and 9th grade, before I transfered to THS in '46 and graduated in 1950.