Since I was already in Tucson, all this recent reminiscing about coming out and my days at the University of Arizona prompted a visit to my old stomping grounds yesterday. On an intellectual level I was aware that the campus had changed, but when I saw exactly how much, it was quite an emotional—and bittersweet—homecoming.

I knew about and had visited (during a job interview many years ago) the Pancheco ILC (integrated learning center) that had been constructed under the main mall, so that was no big surprise.

And from quick recent visits, I also knew that the old Student Union had been razed and rebuilt. (R.I.P Louie’s Lower Level) But what threw me for a loop was the huge housing boom that had occurred over the past few years. Areas formerly parking lots were now brand new (and from the looks of it, damn trendy) residence halls (something the university had always needed, even when I was a student there) that almost made me wish I was 18 again.

Not possessing a decent camera until the early 80s, I didn’t really have many photos of my days at U of A, so finding shots for the obligatory “then and now” comparisons was fairly easy. What wasn’t so easy was recreating the exact angles, but I think I’ve done a reasonable job. So without further ado…

Navajo Hall

This is the first dorm I lived in.


Navajo Hall, 1976


Navajo Hall, 2008

Apache Hall

This is where I lived when I ripped my closet door off its hinges.


Apache Hall, 1976


Apache Hall, 2008


Apache Hall North Entrance, 1976


Apache Hall North Entrance, 2008

Back in ‘76, Apache/Santa Cruz Hall sat like an island in a huge sea of asphalt. Yesterday I had a hard time finding it, because now it was nestled up against several new dormitories, making this 50s era building look even more pathetic than it did in the 70s. (It always reminded my parents of a prison.) And your eyes aren’t deceiving you. The brick column with the “Apache Hall” plaque is shorter than it is in the top photo. It looks like the front courtyard wall was rebuilt at some point because it’s missing at least one row of bricks. There’s also a security gate and an entrance gazebo that wasn’t there 30 years ago. Nice.

My, my…how times have changed from the days when the main entrance doors of the dorms used to stay unlocked all day. Now they’re all keypads and card swipes. I guess now that laptops and iPods are de rigueur, security is much more of a concern than it was when the most anyone had to worry about was the loss of a tricked out stereo.

Student Union


South Facade, 1976


South Facade, 2008

Main Library


Northwest Corner Looking South, 1976


Northwest Corner Looking South, 2008


Northwest Corner Looking North, 1976


Northwest Corner Looking North, 2008


North Facade,1976


North Facade, 2008

Flandrau Planetarium


Looking East from in front of Student Health, 1976


Looking East from the former site of Student Health, 2008

Math Building


Looking East, 1978


Looking East, 2008

Old Main


Looking Southeast, 1976


Looking Southeast, 2008

Intersection of University and Park


Looking West, 1976


Looking West, 2008

Kaibab-Huachuca Hall

This is where I lived during my second year at the U.


Looking Southwest, 1978


Looking Southwest, 2008