Tempe Historic Property Survey

The Hotel Casa Loma is both architecturally and historically significant. Architecturally, it is one of the two three-story buildings constructed prior to statehood and was the dominant focal point of Tempe’ s business district until the building boom after World War II. Its stylistic influence was increased by the growing popularity of the Spanish Colonial style in new construction and the remodeling of earlier Victorian buildings, such as the Petersen Building and the Laird and Dines Drug Store.

Historically, the building stands on the site of Tempe’s first hotel, which was constructed in 1888 of wood, but burned in 1894. Reconstructed in 1899, the hotel was the main attraction in Tempe for tourists and provided the best in overnight accommodations for the next forty years. Famous personalities stayed at the hotel, such as President William McKinley in 1901 and Buffalo Bill Cody in 1911. The hotel is also associated with key citizens, including W. J. Kingsbury, early owner of the hotel and prominent Tempe banker, and Frank Fogel, a Tempe rancher, landlord and businessman.

In 1927, the hotel was remodeled in the popular Spanish Colonial Revival style. The brick walls were plastered with white stucco and a tile roof was added. When Mill Avenue was widened, about 1960, the verandas on the east end of the structure were removed, and a large metal screen was put up. The screen was removed in 1981. In 1984, the Casa Loma was rehabilitated and restored to its historic Spanish Colonial appearance.

The Hotel Casa Loma is a three-story building constructed of brick, frame, and stucco. Composed of two elements, the main three-story mass measures approximately 55 ft. by 125 ft., while a one-story wing (50 ft. by 40 ft.) extends northward along Mill Avenue. Occupying a prominent corner, the building faces south onto Fourth Street and east onto Mill Avenue. The overall image in one of bracketed post and beam stuccoed wall planes infilled with grouped double-hung windows (6 lights over 1 light) and topped by a combination hipped and gabled roof covered with metal mission tiles. Internal features include doors, casements, and the original classical detailed stairway.

For more details see Excerpts from Newspaper Articles and Documents about the Hotel Casa Loma.

Go to the Tempe Historic Property Survey