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Jerry Pillarelli | profile | all galleries >> Travel and Nature >> US Travel; by Trip, by State >> Arizona >> 2011 Miracle Mile – Tucson, Arizona tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

2011 Miracle Mile – Tucson, Arizona

Project: Once the jewel of the Tucson tourist district, the Miracle Mile boasted all the best upscale hotels and motels in the city. As the large resorts found their way to the foothills surrounding the city, the Miracle Mile began to decline. Recently there has been an effort to restore and clean up the area. My goal was to photograph the old hotels and motels, and a few other long standing establishments, which made this area a southwestern travel mecca in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

History: In 1937, what is now Oracle Road from today's Miracle Mile to Drachman was the first divided highway in Arizona, with roundabouts at both ends. Because of the wide medians, it was considered to be very safe and was called the Miracle Mile of Safety by Arizona Highways.

Our photo trip: Starting on Stone near downtown Tucson we drive north past Speedway and Drachman to see the Wildcat House and old Bum Steer. Next we double back to Stone and Drachman and turn west and head to Oracle where we turn north again and proceed past Grant to the currently named Miracle Mile. Once there we go west until we run into I-10.
Tucson Warehouse and Transfer Co. as seen from Stone near downtown Tucson
Tucson Warehouse and Transfer Co. as seen from Stone near downtown Tucson
Flamingo Hotel on Stone near Speedway
Flamingo Hotel on Stone near Speedway
Wildcat House on Stone past Drachman
Wildcat House on Stone past Drachman
Wildcat house logo
Wildcat house logo
Bum Steer, locked down, on Stone past Drachman
Bum Steer, locked down, on Stone past Drachman
Stone and Drachman
Stone and Drachman
eegee’s, a Tucson tradition, at Stone and Drachman
eegee’s, a Tucson tradition, at Stone and Drachman
Sparkle Cleaners at Stone and Drachman
Sparkle Cleaners at Stone and Drachman
Mendel’s Wife The Tailor on Drachman
Mendel’s Wife The Tailor on Drachman
Drachman Street heading west
Drachman Street heading west
Tucson Inn on Drachman
Tucson Inn on Drachman
Tucson Inn on Drachman at night
Tucson Inn on Drachman at night
Copper Cactus Inn on Drachman
Copper Cactus Inn on Drachman
Frontier Motel on Drachman
Frontier Motel on Drachman
Frontier Motel on Drachman
Frontier Motel on Drachman
Oracle Road…turn north
Oracle Road…turn north
Tucson House on Oracle
Tucson House on Oracle
Miracle Mile sign on Oracle
Miracle Mile sign on Oracle
La Siesta Motel on Oracle
La Siesta Motel on Oracle
Quail Inn on Oracle
Quail Inn on Oracle
Hacienda Motel on Oracle
Hacienda Motel on Oracle
Oasis Motel on Oracle
Oasis Motel on Oracle
La Fuente Restaurant on Oracle
La Fuente Restaurant on Oracle
La Fuente Restaurant on Oracle
La Fuente Restaurant on Oracle
Tucson sign on Oracle
Tucson sign on Oracle
El Sol Apartments on Oracle
El Sol Apartments on Oracle
Highland Tower Motel on Oracle
Highland Tower Motel on Oracle
No-Tel Motel on Oracle north of Grant
No-Tel Motel on Oracle north of Grant
Tiki Motel just south of Miracle Mile on Oracle
Tiki Motel just south of Miracle Mile on Oracle
Miracle Mile…turn west
Miracle Mile…turn west
Sun Land Motel on Miracle Mile
Sun Land Motel on Miracle Mile
Monterey Court on Miracle Mile (now Studio Galleries)
Monterey Court on Miracle Mile (now Studio Galleries)
Riviera Motor Lodge on Miracle Mile
Riviera Motor Lodge on Miracle Mile
Terrace Motel on Miracle Mile
Terrace Motel on Miracle Mile
Wayward Winds Lodge on Miracle Mile
Wayward Winds Lodge on Miracle Mile
Mountain View Motel on Miracle Mile
Mountain View Motel on Miracle Mile
Ghost Ranch Lodge on Miracle Mile (now a historical site and being renovated as low income housing)
Ghost Ranch Lodge on Miracle Mile (now a historical site and being renovated as low income housing)
Golden Pin Lanes on Miracle Mile
Golden Pin Lanes on Miracle Mile
Golden Pin Lanes on Miracle Mile
Golden Pin Lanes on Miracle Mile
Amazon Motel on Miracle Mile (just east of I-10)
Amazon Motel on Miracle Mile (just east of I-10)