Thomas Gist papers
Tom Gist and his wife Tish sitting outside a house he designed, undated (Box 7 Folder 12).
Collection dates: 1918-2000
This collection contains the personal and professional files of architect Tom Gist as well as his architectural drawings and photographic material. The majority of the materials included pertain to his architectural work around Tucson including design plans, drawings, contracts, correspondence, photos, and other important information in regards to the building of the homes. Other material include personal artifacts and photographic material spanning his entire life including his time in the Air Force as a Bombardier and his participation within the Tucson Natural History club.
Tom B. Gist (1917-2000), was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He went to various military schools before he graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Mining Engineering in 1939. During World War II he served as a bombardier and developed a bomb error calculator that increased the accuracy of bombing for which he was awarded the Legion of Merit award. After the war he relocated to Tucson, Arizona where he became a prominent custom home designer and builder from the mid 1950's through the late 1970's. Many of the over 170 homes he designed and built were regulary featured in various magazines such as Better Homes and Gardens and the Tucson Citizen. Due to his unique and detailed building style many of these homes are a part of Historic Districts throughout Tucson, including his own home which is now a part of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
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