You’ll see buildings from the era of early trading posts and mercantile interests, mining, railroads, manufacturing, ranching and the epoch of World War I. Founding families continue to operate some of those businesses today alongside newer international enterprises creating an intermodal dynamic culture that is local, regional, multi-national and worldwide.
Welcome/Bienvenidos!
MORLEY AVENUE “La Morley”
HISTORIC SANTA CRUZ COUNTY 1904COURTHOUSE
Court and Morley Street
You can begin here. Park on the side. View the Rotunda, as well as exhibits of The Arizona Rangers and The Cow Belles, Terraced steps allow a great vista of the City of Nogales as well as Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.Take the time to view the city from the top of the steps: you'll see into Mexico also, noticeably the Hotel Fray Marcos de Niza.
MARSH HEIGHTS HISTORIC DISTRICT
Roughly bounded by Court Street, Summit Avenue, South Court Street, and Morley Avenue
U.S. Post Office & Immigration Station located at Hudgin Street,.. just North at No. 701 was the Hotel Blanca, as well as another historic house at No. 665 and the Harrison House No. 449.
In the immediate area you’ll see examples of Mission/Spanish Revival, Bungalow/Craftsman, and Colonial Revival architectural styles.
Take a walk up Court Street – there’s a nice park and plaza in this residential area if you'd like to rest. You'll notice some historic homes with locally-quarried stone.
At 120 Court Street you’ll see the old Southern Pacific & Company Freight Depot.
BACK ALONG MORLEY AVENUE A tree-shaded oasis with gazebo and benches, bronze sculptures, and public restroom facilities is the centerpiece and magnet attracting pedestrians. You’ll see a plaque noting that Nogales was originally named Isaacson, after the first Russian-immigrant Postmaster. The park is bordred by the Union Pacific railroad line that runs frequently through the center of both Nogales carrying cargo North-South between Mexico and the U.S. This transportation connection is what established Nogales for trade and commerce.
Back on Morley Avenue walk South to the Guardhouse or Garita at the international line,
On the way there take note of what used to be Los Dos Naciones Cigar Factory at No. 331, The Jose Piscorski Building at No. 315, the site of the former Montezuma Hotel located 60 ft East of the Park at No. 217, The George B. Marsh Building located at Nos. 213-225, The S.H, Kress & Company Building located at Nos. 119-121, and the old F.W. Woolworth Building located at Nos. 115-117.
Theaters, saloons , clothing stores, dry goods and supplies, restaurants, and ice cream shop and offices added to the mixed commerce on this avenue at the turn of the 19th Century. Little of that is seen now so you need to know this information to look behind the current facades covering up much of the original structures.
The Escalada brothers, arrivals from Spain back in 1892, operated a grocery and drygoods store in what is now Lohan’s. 14 different nationalities were entrepreneurial founding families, among them: Brackers, Epsteins, Capins, Rochlins, Puchis, Piersons, Kyriakises, Pottingers, Karams.
If you’re planning on sight-seeing, eating, shopping or visiting Nogales, Sonora on-foot, the entry gate on Morley Avenue provides easy access and is a pedestrian thoroughfare for Mexicans who shop frequently here. It's usually less congested that the other two pedestrian crosswalks.
OLD CITY HALL & CRAWFORD HILL HISTORIC RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
Cross over the railroad tracks on Park Street to the intersection with Grand Avenue and Crawford Street.
As a practical note, you’ll notice two banks at the intersection with ATM services.
PIMERIA ALTA HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Named after the Spanish designation for the unified geographic area that is now divided between Arizona and The State of Sonora, Mexico by the Gadsden Purchase of 1853-54, the historical collections and archives are now housed on the first floor of what used to be old City Hall headquarters for city government, the police and fire department and the jail. The clock tower stands out on this landmark built in 1914.
Resources and materials cover the panorama of area history, from Native American, Tribal Nations & Mexican cultures, Pre-European and Post-European settlement, as well as Territorial and State history, World War I & II, and into the 20th Century.
Regular hours are limited, but you can call to arrange for a viewing or research.
CRAWFORD HILL
HISTORIC RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
Roughly bounded by Oak Street, Terrace Avenue, Compound Street, & Interstate 19 & Grindell, the area situated on the hill rising above McDonald’s is an area of mostly stately homes of Late Victorian, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, and Others.
Merchants and professionals carried on a long tradition of a robust commercial center with their profits building the larger residences close to the business area at that time.
GRAND AVENUE
Buildings on the National Register of Historic Places include the following:
J.E. Wise Building at No. 134
George B. Marsh Building at Nos 213-225
A.S. Noon Building at No. 246
Bowman Hotel at Nos. 314-316
Burton Building at Nos. 322-324
Nogales Electric Light, Ice & Water Power House at No. 498
Arizona-Sonora Manufacturing Company Machine Shop at Grande & Arroyo
Other historic PROPERTIES are located on East Street, Plum Street, 3 Mediterranean Cottages located at Nos. 102-104 Pajarito Street, Petrero Street, 10 Cottages on Short Street at Nos. 117-126.
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