Hirsh's Shoes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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Hirsh's Shoes is a cool, old-fashioned store building in Tucson, Arizona, United States. It's a great example of Mid-Century modern design. The store was built in 1954 by architect Bernard "Bernie" Friedman for Rose Hirsh.
This building was originally a standalone shop. It became part of an early strip mall later on. The Hirsh family owned and ran the store from 1954 until 2016. They kept its special look for 62 years. In 2014, the family even fixed the neon sign on the roof!
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Discovering Hirsh's Shoes History
Hirsh's Shoes is in the middle of a famous area called Broadway's Sunshine Mile. After World War II, Tucson grew very fast. The city's population jumped from 35,000 in 1940 to 212,000 by 1960! New buildings were needed to support all the new neighborhoods.
Many amazing modern buildings were built along Broadway. Famous architects like Bernard Friedman helped shape this area. They used lots of glass, cool shapes, and new materials. They also designed eye-catching signs. All these things made Tucson look like a modern city. In 1953, a contest named this area "The Sunshine Mile." This street's modern buildings are a special part of Tucson's story.
The Hirsh Family's Vision
David Hirsh came to America from Eastern Europe as a child. His family owned a shoe shop in Pennsylvania. David's wife, Rose, was born in Pennsylvania. The family moved to Tucson in 1944. They hoped the warmer weather would help Rose's arthritis.
In 1954, Rose hired architect Bernard Friedman. She wanted him to design a modern building for her new shoe store. It was going to be in the growing shopping area on Broadway Boulevard. The Hirsh's Shoes building was first designed to stand alone. Even though it's now surrounded by other buildings, it still shows off its unique "open front" style. This means the inside and outside blend together. The original neon sign still lights up the entrance.
For 62 years, the Hirsh family kept the store's special look. In 2015, they even won an award for taking such good care of the building.
Meet Bernard Friedman, The Architect
Bernard J. Friedman (1916–2012) was an important architect in Tucson. He helped create the city's modern look from the 1940s to the 1970s. His buildings, big and small, gave downtown Tucson and its new suburbs a fresh, modern feel. He used cool designs and strong shapes. His buildings showed off the excitement of modern art.
Friedman was born in Chicago. He earned his architecture degree in 1938. Then he moved to Tucson in 1940. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy. He worked as a Construction Officer in Europe from 1942 to 1946.
Friedman's Return to Tucson
After the war, Friedman came back to Tucson in 1946. He married his wife, Irma. From 1946 to 1948, he worked with another architect, William Green. They designed homes and businesses. These included Los Patio and the El Presidio Hotel.
In 1948, Friedman started his own architecture business. He focused on Mid-Century modern designs. He used lots of glass and new materials. In 1949, he designed the Given Brothers Shoes Co. building. He also designed a recreation center for the Jewish Community Center. In 1951, he designed a new school building for Congregation Anshei Israel.
During the Korean War (1951-1953), Friedman was called back to duty. He worked in Washington, D.C. He returned to Tucson in August 1953. He reopened his office in a building he designed himself. That same year, he designed the new Jewish Community Center. He also designed the Rillito Park grandstand.
Iconic Designs of the 1950s
In 1954, Friedman designed two famous modern storefronts. These showed the new style of American commercial buildings after WWII. They were Daniel's Jewelers and Hirsh's Shoes. In 1955, he designed a building for Mr. and Mrs. Max Saltzman. This building was made to grab the attention of people driving by. It had huge glass walls and bright signs. This helped show off the merchandise even after dark.
In 1956, Friedman teamed up with his college friend, Fred H. Jobusch. They formed Friedman & Jobusch Architects & Engineers. Jobusch was also very active in the Tucson community.
Between 1956 and the early 1960s, their firm designed many buildings in Tucson. Along the Sunshine Mile, they designed the Broadway Building and the Arizona Bank Building. They also designed shopping centers like Amphi Plaza and Campbell Plaza. They even designed the Tucson City Hall.
Besides commercial buildings, they also designed many schools. These included buildings for the University of Arizona. They also designed Sahuaro High School and Canyon del Oro High School.
Friedman's work covered many types of buildings. He designed the Tucson Community Center and the Tucson Music Hall. He also designed buildings for Kitt Peak National Observatory. He designed churches too, like St. Albans Episcopal Church.
One of Friedman's most famous buildings is the 1971 Valley National Bank Branch. It's a true landmark in Tucson. It was even featured in national magazines and on TV! Friedman was a leader in his field. He was president of the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Bernard J. Friedman passed away on June 21, 2012, at 96 years old.
Hirsh's Shoes Unique Architecture
The front of Hirsh's Shoes is its most special part. It's a rare and great example of the "open-storefront" design. This style became popular after WWII. It was started by famous architects like Morris Lapidus in the 1940s.
Hirsh's Shoes has an open outdoor area at the front. Friedman called it an "arcade." This space was made by setting the glass windows and front door back from the sidewalk. The walls and ceiling angle inward. Showcase boxes stick out from the walls. The floor is made of red brick laid in a cool basket-weave pattern. The original neon sign sits on top of the roof. All these details are still there today!
Hirsh's Shoes Today
Hirsh's Shoes was featured in The New York Times in 2015. It was highlighted for being a great example of Tucson's modern architecture.
There were plans to widen Broadway Boulevard. This made people worry about the old buildings. The Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation (THPF) talked to the Hirsh family in 2015. They wanted to help save the building. After many talks, THPF bought the property in 2016 to protect this amazing example of modern design.
On October 5, 2016, the Sunshine Mile was listed as one of America's "11 Most Endangered Properties" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Hirsh's Shoes Building has become a symbol of mid-century design in Tucson.
