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4 Entries
Bill & Beverly Miller
August 2, 2011
Francoise and family, Beverly and I send you our sympathies and thoughts. We remember our good times with you and Harris in Tucson, and seeing you several years ago in Miami. May our wishes go with you and help fill the unfillable void.
Pat Malchow
July 30, 2011
After hearing of Professor Sobin’s passing from an email from a friend on route by train across the US I felt the void and waited for my thoughts. What came to mind is remembering working for Professor Sobin in his lovely home. While his students, Fred Durland and I assisted Mr. Sobin with the graphics for his book on the architectural history of Florence, Arizona. [Florence Townsite A.T., Prepared by Harris Sobin & Associates,Tucson, Arizona – May 1977]
I had to find my copy of the book and thumb through, and then visited Florence’s website looking for Sobin and found his work quoted.
“On first encountering the town of Florence, a visitor’s first impression may well include a sense of bewilderment at the multitude of periods, materials and forms which comprise the local scene. On closer examination, however, one discovers that Florence, when carefully “read”, constitutes a veritable museum for the study of changes in architectural styles and building traditions in Arizona since Territorial times.
A number of old structures have disappeared; many more have been remodeled out of all resemblance to their beginnings;but more than a full century after its founding, the town has managed to preserve a greater number and variety of early-day buildings than any other small town in the state.
The entire history of Territorial architecture can in fact be seen along the streets of Florence, with good examples of almost every style and building tradition developed during the period. These range from the earliest Spanish Colonial/Mexican Sonoran adobe vernacular, through at least two distinct phases of hybrid, or “Anglo-Sonoran” Territorial traditions, and finally through a rapid succession of purely Anglo-American brick and frame styles imported from Eastern, Midwestern and Californian cities during the closing years of the Territory and early years of statehood.”
— Florence Townsite A.T., Prepared by Harris Sobin & Associates, Tucson, Arizona – May 1977
I found myself thinking of a professor’s role in directing their students’ awareness to pay attention…. to detail. To focus. Focus on forces of time- the history, the intermingling of cultures, focus on forces that naturally shape without additional energy inputs, -breezes and breezeways, the sun’s path, irrigation ditches and topography that contour walls in an other than military grid like fashion. Listen to some of the details…..of the architecture he sought to preserve…
Conrad Brunenkant’s City Bakery (1889) (American Victorian Style) 291 N. Main St.
This two-story red-brick commercial building was constructed in 1890 for Conrad Brunenkant, a Dutch-born baker and grocer.
Jesus Martinez House (1875) (Sonoran Style ) 321 N. Bailey St.
Jesus Martinez, a farmer from New Mexico, built this adobe house from 1872 to 1880. The building features a Sonoran flat dirt roof and central patio. In 1886, Pinal County converted part of the building into the first County Hospital. It had six beds.
Second Catholic Church of the Assumption (1912) (Mission Revival Style)221 E. 8th St.
The building is the best example of Mission Revival Style in Central Arizona. The previous church on the site burned in 1893. This building was designed and constructed under the direction of Father Henry Heitz, the last of a long line of French-born priests in Florence.
Chapel of the Gila (1870) (Sonoran Style) 306 E. 8th St.
The chapel was the first Catholic Church built in Central Arizona. The Capilla was built by Father Andre Echallier. The 10-room “Capilla Complex” has served as a school (St. Theresa’s Academy for Girls), a parish hall, a recreation center, a food distribution center for the needy and indigent housing during the Depression.
Jean Baptiste Michea Residence and Lone Star Store (1878) (Sonoran Style) 220 E. Ruggles Ave.
The single-story portion of this building was built by French-born Jean Baptiste Michea, a farmer from the French region of Burgundy and former artilleryman with Maximilian’s occupation army in Mexico.
Chapel of the Gila (1870) ( Sonoran Style) 306 E. 8th St.
The chapel was the first Catholic Church built in Central Arizona. The Capilla was built by Father Andre Echallier. The 10-room “Capilla Complex” has served as a school (St. Theresa’s Academy for Girls), a parish hall, a recreation center, a food distribution center for the needy and indigent housing during the Depression.
Juan Avenenti/Angulo/Theophile Nicholas Meat Market Building (1886) (Sonoran Style)289 N. Main St.
Italian immigrant Juan Avenenti purchased this property in 1886 from Frank M. Griffen. Previously, it had belonged to Florence pioneers Levi Ruggles and Charles Douglas. Avenenti, a grocer, butcher and rancher, built the present structure for a meat market.
Jesus Preciado de Luna/Bernardina Lorona House (1880) (Sonoran Style) 115 E. 11th St.
Juan Luna built this single-story, Sonoran-style adobe house for his wife and put the title in her name, according to Spanish tradition.
Elena Llescas House (1879) (Sonoran Style, ET) 175 N. Bailey St.
This is one of only two buildings in the district in which all or a portion of the exterior walls are not parallel to the cardinal directions, or the original Ruggles street grid. The alignment of the walls corresponds to the contours of the local topography and alignment of early irrigation ditches.
Isabella Cosgrove House (1878) (Early Transitional Style, American Victorian Style)191 N. Bailey St.
Irish-born blacksmith, Frank Cosgrove, and his Sonoran-born wife Isabella, built this adobe walled,
mud-roofed Sonoran structure.
Joseph Spinas Rental House (1913) (American Bungalow Style)221 N. Bailey St.
This house was built as rental property for Joseph Spinas. A naturalized citizen of Swiss origin, Spinas was a prominent cattle rancher..
Sam Kee House (1880) (Late Transitional Style)171 N. Pinal St.
Built in the 1870s by Chinese-born Sam Kee, this home sits on the property line adjacent to Pinal Street.
Jacob Suter House (1888) (Late Transitional Style)270 N. Pinal St.
This house was built in 1888 for Swiss-born tinsmith Jacob Suter.
Professor Sobin quoted a song in his book and today articulated visions for Florence echo’s it
“Don’t throw the past away
You might need it some rainy day,
Dreams can come true again,
When ever old is new again. “ Pg 207
Florence, Arizona’s website says, “Our vision for downtown Florence is an economically vibrant community which embraces our history, encourages innovation and maintains our hometown character.”
And they celebrate yearly with a Florence Multicultural Festival and will have their 27th Annual Tour of Historic Florence , Sat Feb 11, 2012 where Professor Sobin’s conservation efforts have played a role in making it all possible.
As a hungry student working in Professor Sobin’s house, I remember at lunch time his gracious wife Françoise generously shared her French culture and cuisine. And specifically I remember a dessert of pears with a topping of chocolate sauce drizzled in a pattern.
Thank you both for enriching so many lives. Harris you are definitely missed. May you find Fred, my classmate, who at a young age preceded you, greeting you at heaven’s door.
Roy Valenzuela
July 29, 2011
I truly enjoyed getting to know Your Husband and Father over the 18 plus years that I had the pleasure of being his hair stylist. We shared family stories, carreer events, books signings etc. It had been awhile since I had seen him and oftened wondered how he was doing. when last I saw him he was not feeling well.
On Wednesday this week, for some reason, I had him on my mind when an elderly gentleman came into the restraunt where I was wearing a hat similar to Mr. Harris when I felt a strong presence of him around me. I opened my newspaper and there in the middle of the page was His picture and obituary. A tear droped from my eyes and then a smile knowing he is resting now.
My prayers are with all of you as I I remeber your Loved one fondly.
Lou Sweeney
July 28, 2011
As a friend of our family, he will always be remembered for keeping Arizona History alive and preserved for future generations. We feel for your loss. May the Lord Bless and Comfort your family.
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