Pioneer fire burned into city’s collective psyche
by Paul L. Allen on Aug. 02, 2006, under Local
Aftermath of the Pioneer Hotel fire in 1970
Editor’s note: Each day through Aug. 20 the Tucson Citizen will provide glimpses into random highlights of life in the Old Pueblo.
The date Dec. 20, 1970, is burned into Tucson’s collective psyche – literally.
That was the day the Pioneer Hotel, long a downtown skyscraper and landmark, was destroyed by an arson-caused fire, claiming the lives of 28 victims. A 29th individual died, months later, of injuries sustained in the fire.
The fire, which caused the largest single loss of life in the city’s history, drew national attention and prompted outrage on the part of some because of allegations that the Fire Department was underequipped and unable to reach the top of the 11-story building at North Stone Avenue and Pennington Street.
Some of the victims perished in the flames or from smoke inhalation in their rooms, while others, desperate to escape the fire’s intensity, leapt to their deaths from the windows.
Following the fire, police arrested Louis Cuen Taylor, a 16-year-old who had been arrested several times previously for minor juvenile offenses, and he subsequently was charged with arson and murder. Convicted in 1972, he was sentenced to life in prison.
Taylor insisted he was at the Pioneer to steal food and drinks from a Hughes Aircraft Co. Christmas party. Witnesses testified that he helped people escape the flames.
Three small fires, believed to be arson, were reported by resident hotel manager C.E. Goyette two months prior to the December conflagration. It isn’t known whether the incidents are connected.
Among victims of the fire were owners of the hotel, Harold and Margaret Steinfeld. Steinfeld and his father, Albert, a prominent Tucson merchant, built the hotel – completed Dec. 12, 1929 – at a cost of about $1 million.
Thirty-three firefighters, among 203 battling the blaze, suffered injuries.
In 2002, a coalition of groups and individuals petitioned to have authorities reopen the Louis Taylor case, claiming the evidence against him was flimsy and that inadequate investigation was made of the three previously reported fires.
Despite those efforts, however, Taylor remains in prison.
Vice mayor Steve Leal helps Cele Peterson hit a piñata Tuesday afternoon at the El Presidio site, at Church Avenue and Washingon Street. The event kicked off Tucson's 231st birthday celebration. The wall at right is a replica of the original Presidio wall. The replica is still under construction.
Local community leaders gather for a kick off celebration Tuesday afternoon at the El Presidio site, at Church Avenue and Washingon Street. The event kicked off Tucson's 231st birthday celebration. The structure is a replica of the original Presidio wall. The replica is still under construction.
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IF YOU GO
What: Reservations for Aug. 20 Tucson birthday gala dinner dance, 4:40-9 p.m.
When: Reservations must be made by Aug. 10.
Where: Dance is at Tucson Convention Center, Copper Ballroom, 260 S. Church Ave., west entrance.
Sponsor: Los Descendientes del Presidio de Tucson, 3557 N. Tin Star Place, Tucson, AZ 85745.
Admission: $80.
Information: 245-9564.
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