The Buena Vista Hotel was a historic hotel and entertainment center located in the downtown district of Safford, Arizona.[2]
Buena Vista Hotel | |
   | |
| Location | 322 Main, Safford, Arizona |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32°50′0″N 109°42′38″W / 32.83333°N 109.71056°W |
| Built | 1928 |
| Built by | McGinty Construction |
| Architect | Jaastad, H.O. |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| MPS | Safford MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 87002560[1] |
| Added to NRHP | February 9, 1988 |
Built in 1928 at cost of $80,000,[3] the 2-story, 46-room hotel was conceived by Fred and Minta Waughtal who previously owned and operated a cattle ranch in Dos Cabezas, as well as the nearby Olive Hotel, which later became the Safford Inn Hospital.[4] The impetus for creating the Buena Vista was an anticipation of increased vehicular traffic upon the completion of the Coolidge Dam and a newly-paved highway from Globe to the Gila Valley.
When the Buena Vista Hotel opened on October 15, 1929, it was considered a luxurious retreat, where most of the rooms were adorned with commodious furnishings and private bathrooms. The hotel also featured an outdoor swimming pool and two bars; the Tap Room, and the Matador Room.[5]
While the Tap Room was a traditional bar with a long, narrow dance floor for its patrons, the Matador Room was best known for its live performances, in particular, jazz and Country-western music. Many well-known and up-and-coming musicians appeared at the Matador Room over the years, such as Patsy Cline, Billy Walker, Lefty Frizzell, Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson and future Hee Haw star, Roy Clark.[6]
The hotel closed after a resident set fire to the building on October 26, 1979, however, the restaurant and bar were salvaged and reopened as a gourmet restaurant named the Gaslight.[7]
In 1987, the property was sold at an auction and remained dormant until the building was demolished in 1994,[8] despite being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]
Formerly located at 322 Main Street, the Buena Vista Hotel was a two-story, 80 feet (24 m) by 100 feet (30 m) steel frame and stucco structure with arched entrances, Spanish tile awnings and wrought iron balconies.[3][9] Designed by Tucson's influential architect Henry O. Jaastad, the prominent hotel was considered to be one of the finest examples of Mission Revival architecture in Arizona.[3][10]
The hotel can be seen briefly in the 1985 comedy, Lost in America, directed by and starring Albert Brooks.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ "Downtown District | Safford, AZ - Official Website". www.cityofsafford.us. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ a b c Linda Laird (July 1987). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Safford Multiple Resource Area". National Park Service. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
- ^ "Mrs Minta Waughtal". Arizona Republic. 24 June 1966. p. 17. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ See "Buena Vista Hotel revisited", Eastern Arizona Courier, 2005-08-24, retrieved 2020-03-16; and Robinson, Stephany Mae, "Mt. Graham timber built Valley", Eastern Arizona Courier, 2011-10-19, retrieved 2015-09-06. See also 2015 photo of 300s block of Main.
- ^ See "Buena Vista Hotel revisited", Eastern Arizona Courier, 2005-08-24, retrieved 2020-03-16; and Robinson, Stephany Mae, "Mt. Graham timber built Valley", Eastern Arizona Courier, 2011-10-19, retrieved 2015-09-06. See also 2015 photo of 300s block of Main.
- ^ Linda Laird & Assoc. (September 19, 1987). "Arizona State Historic Property Inventory: Buena Vista Hotel". National Park Service. Retrieved December 5, 2016. (with photo)
- ^ See "Buena Vista Hotel revisited", Eastern Arizona Courier, 2005-08-24, retrieved 2020-03-16; and Robinson, Stephany Mae, "Mt. Graham timber built Valley", Eastern Arizona Courier, 2011-10-19, retrieved 2015-09-06. See also 2015 photo of 300s block of Main.
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form" (PDF). United States Department of the Interior National Park Service: 10. 28 December 1987. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ See "Buena Vista showcased musical talents", Eastern Arizona Courier, 2005-10-19, retrieved 2015-03-16; and Robinson, Stephany Mae, "Mt. Graham timber built Valley", Eastern Arizona Courier, 2011-10-19, retrieved 2015-03-16. See also 2015 photo of 300s block of Main.
- ^ "Lost in America (1985) - Filming & production - IMDb".