It was a landmark for so many years. Then it was a place of remembrance of a tragedy.
Earlier today I read a story of the history of the Pioneer Hotel. KGUN-TV’s Pat Parris interviewed the granddaughter of the Steinfields, pioneer merchants in Tucson.
Mr. and Mrs. Steinfeld were 2 of the 29 victims of the deadly hotel fire in 1970. I was a senior in high school and remember the day well.
Tonight I attended a reception at the former hotel. Nice to see some of today’s Tucson featured in this landmark. Now an office space, the former dining room was retouched by muralist Joe Pagac. A mural by Jessica Gonzales graces the coffee shop. And a black and white mural anchors the back wall of the dining room. The exercise room even sports a fun, funky mural.
A sad day in Tucson history but somehow brighter because of these details.
Being in this place 54 years to the day of this horrific event helped me put some things in perspective. So many stories right in front of us. Under our feet and on the walls next to us. The neon of the Fox Theatre, dad’s former drug store a few blocks away, the site of the former downtown department stores across the street now commemorated with a plaque.
So much more to uncover and learn (or rediscover). Watch this space.
Relentless
