Men's Gymnasium, University of Arizona
National Register of Historic Places

Men's Gymnasium, University of Arizona

Tucson, Pima County, Arizona
Listed
October 3, 1990
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
90001526

About this property

Bear Down Gym, originally known as Men's Gymnasium, is a 300-seat multi-purpose arena in Tucson, Arizona. It opened in 1926. It was home to the University of Arizona Wildcats basketball team. It was replaced when the McKale Center opened in 1973. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bear Down Gym is also famous for its inclusion in the 1984 blockbuster film Revenge of the Nerds. It was the gymnasium of the fictional "Adams College" and also temporary home to the Nerds after they were kicked out of their original Freshmen home (Cochise Hall). It was designed by Lyman & Place/Roy Place, architect, and was built by Clinton Campbell. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Men's Gymnasium, University of Arizona in 1990. The building has been renovated and updated to accommodate the growing needs of University of Arizona students, including housing resources for students such as the Think Tank, where students are tutored. Plans are in the works to add a three-story building over the spot currently holding an old swimming pool.

Location

Tucson, Pima County, Arizona
32.23104, -110.95002

Categories

ENTERTAINMENT/RECREATIONARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

University of Arizona Campus Historic District
Listed
0.1 mi
Old Main, University of Arizona
Civil War
0.2 mi
Rincon Heights Historic District (Additional Documentation))
Listed
0.2 mi
Old Library Building
Industrial
0.3 mi
Smith, Professor George E. P., House
Industrial
0.4 mi

Questions about this property

When was Men's Gymnasium, University of Arizona listed on the National Register?

Men's Gymnasium, University of Arizona was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 3, 1990.

What type of historic resource is Men's Gymnasium, University of Arizona?

Men's Gymnasium, University of Arizona is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Men's Gymnasium, University of Arizona?

The period of significance for Men's Gymnasium, University of Arizona is recorded as the industrial era, specifically around 1926.

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