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Corbett is a residential neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona, Corbett’s location in east Tucson makes it accessible and well-connected to many areas of the city, the neighborhood covers a modest yet distinct area is bordered by S. Craycroft Rd. to the west, S. Wilmot Rd. to the east, E. 22nd St. to the north, and E. Gold Links Rd. to the south, a vibrant and historic community known for its quiet connected culture, southwest architecture, and strong sense of community, known for its commitment to a “Back-to-Basics” lifestyle, Corbett offers residents a blend of tradition and modernity. Established around the mid-20th century, Corbett has a rich history that mirrors the growth and evolution of Tucson. The neighborhood has seen gradual development and transformation into a still-growing community over the decades.

Sign located at the intersection of 29th Street and Jefferson Ave

The majority of residences located in the Corbett Neighborhood consist of brick, stucco, or adobe single family homes built sometime in the mid 50s to early 60s6 although there are some exceptions such as the Sunset Vista Apartments, San Simeon Condominiums, Old Pueblo Villas, 29 Palms, Jefferson Apartments, Eastwind Apartments, Jefferson Village, and the currently under construction Corbett Village1.

Locations

Corbett Elementary School served as the educational cornerstone of the neighborhood, Corbett Elementary School used to provide a quality education to generations of local children. Corbett Elementary unfortunately closed its doors in 2014, students were then sent to Wheeler Elementary School, which is located at 1818 S Avenida Del Sol, in the neighboring Terra Del Sol neighborhood. Corbett Elementary has since been torn down and will be the location of a development by Pepper Viner Homes1.


Corbett Elementary before being torn down

Harriet Johnson Park, this green patch, located in the northeast quadrant of Corbett, provides residents with a recreational space, picnic tables, a horseshoe pit, a ramada, a grill, a playground, a swing set, and a multipurpose field2. Harriet Johnson Park is available for hosting events throughout the year, either by simply arriving when the park is empty, first-come first-serve, or via reservation with the City of Tucson.

Image of ramada and location of Harriet Johnson Park from City of Tucson website

The Corbett Neighborhood also houses several churches:

  •  Shining Light Baptist Church (Baptist) located at 5745 E 26th St, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Church of Mankind (Non-Denominational) located at 1231 S Van Buren Ave, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Templo Betel (Pentecostal) located at 5665 E 29th St, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Trinity Life Church (Evangelical Pentecostal3) located at 1930 S Wilmot Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Sunshine Church (Non-Denominational) located at 2145 S Sahuara Ave, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Shalom Mennonite Fellowship (Anabaptist) located at 6044 E 30th St, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Verdad Del Evangelio is located at 5902 E 29th St, Tucson, AZ 85711, the former location of Morningside Baptist Church
    Templo Betel

While the Corbett Neighborhood offers easy access to some major chain businesses such McDonald's or Walmart it also offers many locally owned locations as well, some are listed below.

  • Mama Louisa's a family-owned Italian restaurant opened in 19564 located at 2041 S Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Nick's Sari-Sari Store a Filipino restaurant and store located at 2001 S Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Sun Oriental Market an Asian, mainly Korean, market located at 2205 S Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Micro Chip Auto Glass an auto glass shop located at 2309 S Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Wild West Meats a carniceria and panaderia located at 2023 S Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Auto Haven is a used car dealership located at 2323 S Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Great Wall China a restaurant opened in 19835 offering Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean food located at 2445 S Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Proper Barbershop is a more recently opened, 2019, veteran-owned barbershop located at 2511 S Craycroft Rd #101, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Solid Grindz is a restaurant specializing in Hawaiian barbeque located at 6255 E Golf Links Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711

Nick's Sari-Sari Store

Education

The Corbett Neighborhood is serviced by the Tucson Unified School District. While the neighborhood no longer has a school located within its borders students are still guaranteed an education and are zoned to attend:

  • Winnie E. Wheeler Elementary School a school in the Terra Del Sol neighborhood at 1818 S Avenida Del Sol, Tucson, AZ 85710 serving students in Pre-K through 5th grade.
  • Roberts-Naylor K-8 School a school in the Naylor neighborhood at 1701 S Columbus Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85711 serving students in kindergarten through 8th grade. This was originally Naylor Middle School before merging with the nearby Roberts Elementary School.
  • Palo Verde High Magnet School a magnet school in the Terra Del Sol neighborhood at 1302 S Avenida Vega, Tucson, AZ 85710 serving students in 9th through 12th grade.

Palo Verde High Magnet School

A Back To Basics Neighborhood

While many residents consider this in a more literal sense leaving the neighborhood a more reserved and traditional area it has another meaning. In the late 1990s, the City of Tucson began a program that involved the funding of neighborhood improvement, such as adding curbs or sidewalks9. These neighborhoods were known as Back To Basics Neighborhoods.

Johnathan Federico

On Saturday, April 9th, 2011 Johnathan "John-John" Federico was shot on the front porch of his apartment near Corbett Elementary School7. Nearing 1 a.m. on that Saturday gunshots were heard by 7-year-old Johnathan, his babysitter, and his older sister7 8. Standing in the northwestern area of Corbett Elementary School 23-year-old Alvin Valenzuela shot his gun into the air when Johnathan's older sister and another woman went out of the apartment to complain about the shots Valenzuela turned the gun on them8 and hit Johnathan who had run out onto the porch upon hearing the noise7. Johnathan was treated by TPD and was transported to a hospital by paramedics where he unfortunately succumbed to his wound7. Johnathan is buried at Holy Hope Cemetery in Tucson, Arizona.

References

1https://www.pepperviner.com/new-homes-at-corbett-canyon/

2https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation/Parks/Harriet-Johnson-Park

3https://worldagfellowship.org/

4https://mamalouisas.com/story

5https://tucson.com/entertainment/dining/restaurants/mr-ans-great-wall-of-china-serves-fresh-chinese-and-korean-food/article_d69e72b4-cb0f-5717-8ec3-8926a1d56a6a.html

6https://www.zillow.com/

7https://tucson.com/7-year-old-shot-to-death-near-tucsons-corbett-elementary/article_65f537b4-62c9-11e0-9786-001cc4c03286.html

8https://tucson.com/news/local/crime/distraught-family-recalls-7-year-old-killed-in-gunfire/article_241710fe-2269-5dee-bab3-59c05a2a16df.html

9https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/getting-back-to-basics/Content?oid=1072789

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