Corbett House, Tucson

The Corbett House is a popular stop for visitors interested in local arts and architecture. This Mission Revival–style home was completed in 1907 and served as the residence of the J. Knox Corbett family until 1963.

The Corbetts were a well-known Tucson family, and their home often functioned as a gathering place for community events and social occasions. Inside, the family furnished the rooms with European art and carefully chosen pieces that reflected both taste and status. The house also contained one of the area’s earliest air-conditioning systems, a notable feature at the time. Local stories even suggest that a small gin still operated here during Prohibition, adding another layer of interest to the property’s history.

J. Knox Corbett served as mayor, and his wife, Lizzie Hughes Corbett, was the daughter of Samuel C. Hughes, a Tucson City Council member and an influential figure in the city’s early development. Their home reflects the connections and ambitions of some of Tucson’s most active early residents.

Today, visitors can tour the Corbett House on Sundays through guided visits that highlight the home’s architectural details, original furnishings, and family history. While it is not open for general drop-in visits, those who plan ahead can step inside one of Tucson’s most notable historic homes and get a closer look at the life of a prominent early-20th-century family.