Arthur T. Brown

“’Arthur Thomas Brown’” was born in Takio, Missouri. He studied at Ohio State University graduating in 1927. He worked on the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition designing auxiliary buildings and signage. Both a fine art painter and trained architect Brown arrived in Tucson in 1936 opening his own architectural firm by 1941. He was a member of the exclusive Tucson Palette and Brush Club and the Tucson Fine Arts Association. His Modern style and use of passive heating and cooling was decades ahead of their time. In 1961 he was named an AIA fellow.

His buildings have only recently gained recognition, unfortunate many of his master works have been lost including Tucson General Hospital, Tucson Biltmore Motor Hotel and Tucson’s Carnegie Free Library (Tucson Children’s Museum) wall. His residential projects are scattered throughout Tucson’s post World War II mid-century expansion district. Many of his building remain in Tucson including: the First Christian Church at 740 E. Speedway Boulevard, Faith Lutheran Church, 5th street.

References

Nequette, Anne M. and Jeffery, R. Brooks, A Guide to Tucson Architecture, University Press, Tucson. 2002.

Wayne, Kathryn M., Arthur T. Brown, FAIA, Vance Bibliographies, 1987.

Tucson Home Magazin, Arthur T. Brown, Architects of Influence, 2008.