Preserve our History!

Happy Thursday!

I woke up this morning to the lovely smell of rain. We were blessed with a nice storm last night. It fell into the deep hours of night and into the morning. It was very relaxing to fall asleep to the sound of rain pounding on the window. It is going to be a nice day today. Right now the sky is overcast and the smell of fresh water still lingers on the wet dewy grass. My plants are nice and perky this morning and I didn't have to wake up at 6:00am to beat the heat just to water them. So nice! I wish that would happen more often.

I am so glad that today's high looks to be only 92 degrees compared to the usual 104 degrees. Since summer is coming to an end (school starts Monday). I had plans to take my son to the local zoo today, and I was dreading walking around in the heat for a couple of hours. Most of the animals are hiding in the shade anyhow. Thank goodness for small favors!

Yesterday, I headed over to St. Vincent de Paul thrift store. I periodically check in with them for Vintage clothing and home items. I have been lucky so far and always manage to walk out with at least one item. On my trip yesterday, I planned on finding something different from the usual.

Sadly there was an article in the newspaper a few weeks ago about the Historic Santa Rita Hotel.
The Santa Rita Hotel was built in Tucson in 1904. Then in 1917 an addition was added. Other than Hotel Congress, it was the only remaining Historic Hotel left in Downtown Tucson. The Pioneer Hotel is also long gone! Well it drives me batty when I hear of people in the City wanting to demolish Tucson's History for new and modern skyscrapers. Or there own greedy pockets for that matter. Some people just don't see the value in preserving history. You know, the craftsmanship and architecture of eras past that you can't get back EVER! The buildings that make a city unique with charm and character! Why not make The Santa Rita Hotel part of a project to revitalize ad restore Tucson's Downtown? Preserve the Past!

Low and behold that is what is going to happen to the Santa Rita Hotel. Any day now they will take a bulldozer to a part of Tucson's History that will never have the chance at a restoration to bring back the Glamour and life of what once was! Sadly I am only one voice and there isn't anything I can do about it, but dream about what the Hotel felt and looked like in it's heyday. Being a 10th generation native to Tucson. I have heard plenty of stories from relatives about the Hotel. To let my imagination think of what it once was. When people appreciated an enchanting atmosphere. For years people have said that the Hotel is haunted. I had to chuckle at the article when they mentioned the ghost were not happy about the news to demolish! Of course their not!

The least they could do was salvage some of the architecture from the Hotel. Such as tiles, windows, stained glass, wood, rod iron, fixtures, etc. That is where St. Vincent de Paul comes into place. The owner of the Santa Rita Hotel agreed to donate most of these salvaged materials to the thrift store. I thought maybe I could at least own a piece of the history. Something even some tiles I could preserve and incorporate into my home decor, something!

On my quest to preserve history. I guess I was a little too anxious! The donation rumors are true! However, they have not had a chance to sort through and put much out on the floor yet. Other than some windows and doors. I am due to head back over there middle of next week. Hopefully to find the perfect piece of The Santa Rita Hotel. I attached an article from a person who wrote in and shares the same view I do on this matter. It is nice to hear what he has to say!

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/related/294329

Also here is a picture postcard of The Santa Rita Hotel in it's Glamour days!

On a lighter note, I did manage to walk out of St. Vincent de Paul thrift store with my handy dandy one item. I saw this lovely blouse as I was walking out. It is a light blue rayon blouse from the 1940's with beautiful white embroidery work down the front and on the collar. Couldn't resist for a whopping $2.00! It's in mint condition also, and to boot! I had the perfect pair of earrings in stock to match accordingly. So I couldn't wait to try it on for size today as I head out for a trip to the Zoo with my son! I hope you all have a wonderful day!

For my casual zoo attire, I paired the blouse with my trusty 1940's inspired dungarees, navy tennis shoes, navy blue belt and baby blue and green flowered celluloid earrings!