J. C. Penney--Chicago Store - Tucson,Arizona - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

"The J.C. Penney/Chicago Store is significant as an extant example of a Commercial Palatial (Italianate) Style-Influenced building and the work of prominent Tucson architect, David Holmes, related to the context of Architecture in Downtown Tucson. The period of the building's significance begins with the date of its construction, 1903, during the third period of Tucson's central business district development (1896-1935), and continues through the fourth period of downtown development (1935-1970) on to the current time period. An additional date of significance, 1927, has been added recognizing the year J.C. Penney, the building's longest single tenant, began their occupation of the building and lasted until 1957.

According to the 1901 Sanborn map, although the corner lot was vacant, a building appeared on the 128 E. Congress lot. If it is the same as today's building, then it predates 130 E. Congress which was allegedly built in 1903. both lots had been owned by Anton Hittinger, a prominent Tucson mercantiler, since 1892. The building was commissioned by Anton Hittinger to house the Los Angeles Furniture Store. In 1927, the building was leased to J. C. Penny and Company and converted into a department store managed by Matthew Mansfeld. Tucson's first J.C. Penney Department Store was established in 1920 and was located first at 202 East Congress Street and then at a location across the street from 202 East Congress Street. Due to the company's overwhelming success a larger building was needed and in 1927 The J. C. Penny company moved to 130 East Congress Street ("Penny's has opened twenty-one Stores in Arizona", 1957). In 1955 the J. C. Penny Building was sold to Meyer Feldman, the head of the Zephyr Venetian Blind Company. On September 16th, 1957 the J. C. Penny Department Store moved to a larger building located at 107 North Stone Avenue. The grand opening was marked by the company's owner, J. C. Penny, arriving in a helicopter in celebration of his eighty-second birthday. In 1982 the J. C. Penny Department Store at 107 North Stone Avenue the last department store to leave downtown, relocated to the El Con Mall.

In 1967 the building at 130 East Congress Street was purchased by its current owner Phil and Joe Levkowitz in order to house the Chicago Music Store (Levkowitz, 2002). Harry and Clara Levkowitz, parents of Joe and Phil, began the "Chicago Store" as a general store in the 1930s at another location in Tucson. When Phil started playing in the Tucson High School Band the "Chicago Store" began carrying musical instruments and hence became known as the "Chicago Music Store" (Boice, 1995). Phil and Joe Levkowitz also purchased the building at 128 East Congress Street, which had begun as a liquor store and then in 1937 became Gus's Taylor Shop and remained so until the Levkowitz purchased it. The building at 128 East Congress Street is now the "Chicago Music Land Sheet Music Store." Both stores are owned and operated by the Levkowitz family and carry both new and used merchandise.

The building retains a high degree of integrity considering it continued use throughout its history. Although superficial modifications have been made to the building's exterior, including painting of the brick walls and filling-in of the window openings, these are all reversible and do not compromise the integrity of its location, design, workmanship, and materials. The building continues to provide a strong association with its significance as an example of a two-part commercial block relating to the context of Planning and Development of Downtown Tucson, as an extant example of a Commercial Palatial (Italianate) Style-Influenced building and the work of prominent Tucson architect, David Holmes." - National Register Nomination

Street address: 130 E. Congress St. Tucson, Arizona County / Borough / Parish: Pima Year listed: 2003 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering Periods of significance: 1900-1924, 1925-1949, 1950-1974 Historic function: Commerce/Trade Current function: Commerce/Trade Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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