University of Arizona

Students, faculty, staff, and the public are now welcome to visit Special Collections without an appointment from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

Josias T. Joesler papers

1927 to 1956
MS 470
Collection Guide
Color rendering of a residential floor plan and elevation for a two-bedroom, two-bath revival style residence.

The Josias T. Joesler papers contain original architectural drawings, specifications, notes, and correspondence created by Josias T. Joesler between 1927-1956. Series I: Architectural drawings is part of the Arizona Architectural Archives collection transferred to Special Collections in 2011. Series I consists of drawings for various projects spanning the years 1927-1956 and comprises the bulk of the collection. Series II comprises project records for approximately 35 projects dated between 1937-1943 (bulk 1941).

Josias Thomas Joesler was born in Zürich, Switzerland, in 1895. In 1927, Joesler moved to Tucson, Arizona to work with developers John and Helen Murphey, a partnership that lasted for thirty years until his death in 1956. Joesler is described by architectural historians as having an eclectic approach, borrowing from historic and contemporary architectural sources and interpreting regional and local architectural forms endemic to the Sonoran Desert. Though he worked as a solo practitioner on occasion, it is estimated that Joesler designed over 400 projects with the Murpheys in Tucson, including commercial buildings, churches and residences.

Included materials:
Drawings
Correspondence
Subject Area:
Business
Environment
University of Arizona
Collection Area:
Arizona & Southwest
Related collections:
Arizona Architectural Archives records

Land Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.