Blue Moon's History
Barrio Blue Moon is one of Tucson's older neighborhoods and was named after the "Blue Moon Ballroom" a dance hall which opened in 1920 and was very popular until it burned down on March 16, 1947. Entertainers, Billy Eckstien, Paul Whitman and Tommy Dorsey performed at the "Blue Moon". Many longtime residents recall dancing there which they describe as a large barn with wodden window flaps which were pulled up at night so the cooling air could enter. Bonnie Henry, from the Arizona Daily Star wrote a book about Tucson and included a chapter on the "Blue Moon Ballroom" Other residents had horses, goats, and a chicken farm. Within 15 years ago many homes were completly demolished and rebuilt only a few still remain from the 40's.
Barrio Blue Moon Neighborhood Association was chosen in June of 1999 and the Back to Basics Neighborhood for Ward VI. Blue Moon is in the final construction stages of the $800,000 Back to Basic Grant. In Sept. of 2001 the neighorhood recieved another grant of $150,000 from the Pima County Neighborhood Reinvestement. This money will go to developing a desert lot in a natural park with an access ramp for residents of the Tucson House. Blue Moon is a culturally diverese and historically important part of the community.
Some of the improvements have include playground equipment for the neighborhood park (Esquer Park), traffic mitigation devices, sidewalks, t-shirts with the Blue Moon logo, artwork and dusk-to-dawn lights for the alleyways. Back to Basics monies have also funded a tool-lending library for neighborhood residents.
Westside Coalition Weed & Seed
Westside Coalition Weed & Seed uses an innovative ad comprehensive approach to community revitalization, crime prevention, and law enforcement. It invites neighborhood residents, law enforcement agencies, human service providers, public officials, schools, churches, and business to work together in the shared goal of weeding out the violent crime and seeding in social and economic revitalization.
Contact people:
Dick Kolt, (520) 906-6064
Maricia Roberts, (520) 791-4499 x 1585
Address:
270 S. Stone Ave
Tucson, AZ 85701
You are an important part of the community’s efforts to make our neighborhood a better place. Please join us at these meetings!
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