1907
THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD DEPOT WAS BUILT
History
The history of the Hotel Congress in downtown Tucson from its opening in 1919 to today. Dive into Hotel Congress’ history, including the 1934 fire that led to the capture of John Dillinger in Tucson, Arizona, the iconic neon sign, the charming Southwest artwork that decorates the building’s walls, Tucson’s favorite bartender, Tiger, and our Centennial celebration in 2018 & 2019.
1909
CONGRESS STREET WITH STREET CAR
1912
ARIZONA BECOMES A STATE ON FEBRUARY 14, LEADING US TO BE CALLED THE SWEETHEART STATE
1913
CONGRESS STREET GETS PAVED.
1915
PROHIBITION: JANUARY 1, 1915 ARIZONA BECAME THE 13TH STATE TO GO DRY AND JOINED THE REPEAL IN 1933
1919
THE HOTEL CONGRESS WAS BUILT AND THE TAP ROOM OPENS
1926
PETE MARTINEZ DRANK IN THE TAP ROOM AND DONATED ORIGINAL ARTWORKS
1933
THE TAP ROOM REOPENS AFTER THE REPEAL OF THE PROHIBITION
1934
JANUARY 22, HOTEL CONGRESS CATCHES FIRE
1934
JOHN DILLINGER IS CAPTURED AND IS TRIED IN TUCSON
1937
THE TUCSON RODEO PROCESSION DOWN CONGRESS STREET
1940
POST-FIRE REBUILD, WENT FROM 80 TO 40 ROOMS
1959
TIGER (THOMAS ZIEGLER) BEGAN WORKING IN THE TAP ROOM AND HIS SPIRIT FILLS THE ROOM TO THIS DAY
1985
RICHARD AND SHANA OSERAN PURCHASE HOTEL CONGRESS.
1985
CLUB CONGRESS OPENED ITS DOORS
1989
MURALIST LARRY BOYCE PAINTS THE HOTEL CONGRESS LOBBY
1990
THE CUP CAFÉ OPENS
1991
JENNY HOLZER TRUISIMS ARE PLACED AT THE CUP CAFE
1994
ANNUAL DILLINGER DAYS EVENT BEGINS
2000
THE COPPER HALL OPENS
2005
TALK OF THE TOWN BAR TRANSPORTED TO CLUB CONGRESS
2005
THE CUP CAFÉ GETS ITS ICONIC PENNY FLOOR
2006
DANIEL MARTIN DIAZ CREATED THE NEW STAGE FAÇADE FOR CLUB CONGRESS
2010
HOTEL CONGRESS GETS COOL, REPLACING 1930’S EVAPORATIVE COOLER WITH AIR CONDITIONING
2011
PRIVATE GUEST PATIO AT HOTEL CONGRESS PAINTED INTO AN URBAN OASIS BY LOCAL MURALIST JOE PAGAC
2013
THE TAP ROOM IS RENAMED “TIGER’S TAP ROOM” IN HONOR OF TIGER’S 80TH BIRTHDAY
2018
HOTEL CONGRESS CELEBRATES THE ANNIVERSARY OF ITS NOVEMBER 18, 1918 SOFT OPENING
2018
HOTEL CONGRESS CHANGES THE DOWNTOWN TUCSON SKYLINE WITH AN ADDITION TO ITS ICONIC NEON SIGN
2022
The Century Room Opens
2023
The Lounge Opens