Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Kim Labriola
Did you know that the Broadmoor neighborhood was built upon Tucson’s first golf course, which went out of business during the Great Depression? Now it makes sense why nearby Country Club Road has its name. Read on to learn more about this historic district located along the eastern end of the Sunshine Mile.
About Broadmoor Neighborhood
Most of the neighborhood was built between 1944 and 1964, during the post-war building boom. The neighborhood consists of 365 homes. Most homes in Broadmoor neighborhood are ranch style with 2-4 bedrooms, situated on 1/5 – 1/4 acre lots.
Broadmoor – Broadway Village Homes for Sale
Interested in buying or selling a home in Tucson? Contact us to go over your needs. 520-975-8956 or Hello@RealTucson.com
Where is Broadmoor located?
Broadmoor is centrally located in Tucson, just southwest of the intersection of Broadway Boulevard and Country Club Road. It is bordered by Winsett Street to the south, Tucson Boulevard to the west, Broadway Boulevard to the north, and Country Club Road to the east. However, the homes located along Country Club Road are part of the Broadway Village subdivision and are not included in the Broadmoor Historic District.
Broadmoor – Broadway Village Map
History of Broadmoor and Broadway Village
Broadmoor sits upon land that was homesteaded in 1885 by Joseph Durr and was used for cattle grazing. In 1914 Tucson Golf and Country Club purchased 120 acres for an 18-hole golf course, clubhouse, pool, and tennis court which was intended to be used by Tucson’s most affluent residents as well as winter visitors. The golf course was a ‘skin course’, meaning it had dirt fairways and oiled sand greens instead of grass.
In the 1920s, Randolph golf course opened about a mile east of the property. And in 1929 El Rio Country Club, Tucson’s first golf course with actual grass, was opened. The new competition and the Great Depression eventually led to the permanent closing of Tucson Golf and Country Club. For many years the clubhouse was used as a meeting space for the Shriners club but was demolished in the mid-1960s.
In 1939, the property that bordered Broadmoor to the east was purchased by builder and developer John Murphey. The John and Helen Murphey worked with architect Josias Joesler to design single family homes to be built along the west side of Country Club Road. This subdivision was called Broadway Village which was also the name of the new Joesler designed shopping center located at Broadway Boulevard and Country Club Road.
A few years later in 1943 Harold Tovrea, an Arizona native, University of Arizona alum, and real estate developer, purchased the old golf course land and set up the Broadmoor Realty Company to develop the neighborhood. The neighborhood was probably the first in-fill development in Tucson. Broadmoor homesites were sold to small builders and individuals. Most lots were just under ¼ acre with prices starting at $700 per lot. The CC&Rs required homes to be a minimum of 1000 or 1200 square feet, depending on the lot and the value of the homes was required to be at least $5000-$6000.
Interested in buying or selling a historic property in the Tucson area? Contact us today: Hello@RealTucson.com or 520-975-8956
Origins of the names of the neighborhood and streets
Tovrea was an avid golfer and was inspired to name the neighborhood and streets after renowned resorts and hotels located across the US. The Broadmoor Resort, still in existence today, is a golf resort and hotel located in Colorado Springs. Malvern was a resort in Maine. Devon and Croydon were resorts located in New York and Chicago. Other famous resorts or hotels used as name inspiration were Exeter, Stratford, Manchester, and Eastbourne.
Neighborhood Layout
The streets in Broadmoor are curvilinear and inward oriented with limited access points. The bulk of the homes in the neighborhood are on east-west streets that align with Arroyo Chico, a dry riverbed that usually only runs after a good storm. The oleander lined Arroyo Chico divides the northern part of the neighborhood from the southern part with a pedestrian bridge and 2 street crossings connecting the two sections.
The southern portion of the neighborhood allowed for smaller, more affordable homes. These homes were often built of painted concrete block instead of red brick to keep the building costs down.
Broadmoor is unique because it has some nice walking paths, one along Arroyo Chico and another that goes straight through the neighborhood thanks to a utility easement.
Neighborhood Amenities
- Malvern Plaza with a Little Free Library and benches
- Treat Walkway provides a shortcut for pedestrians
- Oleander lined Arroyo Chico is a great spot to take a walk
- Murals along the Arroyo Chico
Interested in buying or selling a historic property in the Tucson area? Contact us today: Hello@RealTucson.com or 520-975-8956
Adjacent to Reid Park
The neighborhood is located just northwest of Reid Park, a large public park with walking/jogging paths, ball fields, ponds, a zoo, and an amphitheater.
Nearby Shopping and Other Services
Broadmoor is located along the Sunshine Mile a shopping district on Broadway between Country Club and Euclid. Broadway Village, a shopping center with restaurants, a grocery, offices, and retail, is directly north of the neighborhood. El Con shopping center is a ½-mile east of Broadmoor, it consists of a myriad of big-box stores and several chain restaurants.
Voluntary HOA
Broadmoor combined with neighboring Broadway Village has a voluntary homeowner association which hosts events such as a 4th of July Parade, ice cream socials, Halloween get-together, craft fair and more. Neighborhood volunteers built and installed a little free library in the neighborhood plaza and completed other neighborhood art projects.
Public Schools
The neighborhood is serviced by these TUSD public schools: Robison Elementary, Mansfeld Middle, and Tucson High.
One of Tucson’s newest historic districts
Broadmoor is one of Tucson’s newest historic districts. It officially received the National Historic District designation in February 2021. Owning a contributing property in a historic district can result in lower property taxes in most cases.
What I Love about Broadmoor
- Short bike ride away from University of Arizona and downtown.
- Few access points into the neighborhood allows for less and slower moving traffic.
- Midcentury masonry ranch style homes, where no 2 look exactly alike.
- A short walk or bike ride away from Reid Park.
- A short walk or bike ride to shops and restaurants in Broadway Village and along the Sunshine Mile
Are you interested in buying or selling a home in Broadmoor / Broadway Village? Contact us to go over your needs:
Hello@RealTucson.com or 520-975-8956
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