Tempe Directory of Historic Buildings 

Tempe has more than 200 historic buildings. Enjoy this searchable directory of information and photos.  For more information on any of these properties or to learn how your property can be listed, please contact Tempe Historic Preservation Officer Zachary Lechner at Zachary_Lechner@tempe.gov.

Many of the properties on the Tempe Historic Register, the National Register of Historic Places, or the list of Historic Eligible properties are privately owned and not open to the public. Please respect the privacy of those who may be living in these houses. 

Historic Eligible is a formal classification of parcels which contain buildings, structures, or sites which meet the criteria for designation as a Tempe Historic Property, but which have not been formally designated as "Historic." 

How to Use This Directory

You may search this directory by the categories of Tempe Historic Register, National Historic Register and Historic Eligible Properties. Simply click the down arrow on the All Categories box below and select the one you would like to see. All the properties in that category will appear.  

YEAR BUILT: 1940

HISTORY

Built in 1940, the College Theatre (now Valley Art) opened in the same year on November 22. Named for its proximity to Arizona State Teachers College (now Arizona State University), the College Theatre was jointly owned and operated by Dwight “Red” Harkins and Harry Nace Sr. Both men would be involved in building theatres in Arizona for the rest of their lives.

Dwight “Red” Harkins was originally from Cincinnati, Ohio but ran away from home in 1931 at the age of 16. He eventually arrived in Tempe in 1932 where he enrolled at Arizona State Teachers College. However, after only a year attending the college, he dropped out to take over running the State Theater in downtown Tempe, which had been closed for three years.

While running the State Theater, Red also experimented with opening an open-air theatre named Tempe Beach Theatre. However, due to poor summer weather and the addition of evaporated coolers to the State Theatre, Tempe Beach Theatre only operated for one summer.

Harkins continued to operate the State Theatre until 1940 when he and Nace opened the College Theatre.

The College Theatre had its grand opening on November 22, 1940. Prior to the theatre opening Harkins traveled to Hollywood to book films. While there he met various movie personalities and invited several to attend the College Theatre’s grand opening. Film actors attended the grand opening, including John Caroll and Victor Jory.

During World War II, Harkins stepped back from working at the College Theatre and instead worked as chief machinist at Williams Air Force Base. Harkins had been licensed radio amateur since 1929, which earned him the role of radio navigation instructor at Falcon Field, where the Royal Air Force cadets were being trained.

Harkins resumed working at the College Theater after the war, and in 1948, he and Nace opened the Saguaro Theatre in Wickenburg. The pair owned the College Theatre until 1961, when it was sold to Harry Nace Jr. and the name was changed to Valley Art. Since 1991, the theatre has been owned and operated by Harkins Theatres whose owner is Dan Harkins, Red’s oldest son.

The Valley Art Theatre was added to the Tempe Historic Register on February 24, 2000. The historic designation applies to the Valley Art Theatre and the storefront next to it that used to house a beauty salon, also owned by Red Harkins.

ARCHITECTURE

The 1940 College Theatre was built in the Panel Brick Commercial style. It measures 7,500 square feet and is constructed with natural brick with the side and rear exterior walls sheathed in stucco. The roof is flat with parapets and is covered with rolled asphalt.

The center of the front façade is set back into the building, creating an overhang. Under the overhang is a ticket booth kiosk; the top houses an internally lit marquee. There are two sets of double doors, formerly wood but now metal, with three circular windows running vertically down each individual door.

An addition to the south side of the building that has since been demolished to allow for a direct view of the Tempe Municipal Building from Mill Avenue.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Burgess, Michelle. “70 Years of Harkins.” East Valley Tribune, September 7, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20250212225855/https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/get_out/70-years-of-harkins/article_0c7ac448-9b5f-5731-83e4-d5ab7eb03337.html.

HPO 2000-1 Designation Application File – Valley Art. Project Submittal. January 2000.

Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame. “Inductee Biography for DWIGHT “RED” HARKINS.” Archived on March 23, 2025, at https://web.archive.org/web/20241213095235/http://www.azmusichalloffame.org/inductees/dwight-red-harkins/.

Ryden Architects. “Survey Site No T-553.” In City of Tempe Multiple Resource Area Update: Final Report, Volume Two: Inventory Forms. 1997.
Return to full list >>