Monte Mansfield (Mansfeld)

Monte Mansfield is said to have been the man who played the "greatest single role in Tucson's growth." He is credited for the establishment of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Hughes Aircraft Corporation in Tucson. He was president of the Tucson Airport Authority, at the time.

Monte Mansfield's business ventures began in 1904, when he was the director for Arizona's horticultural exhibit at the St. Louis World's Fair. From 1905-1908 he worked for the Consolidated National Bank (now Valley National Bank), after which he spent four years in the hotel business in the East. After various other positions held in Arkansas, Chicago, and Los Angeles (where he attended Brownsberger Business College), he returned to Tucson. In 1914, Mansfield opened his own Ford dealership. He remained as the firm's head for forty years, retiring when the dealership was sold to the Holmes Tuttle Company (still in operation).

During his active business career, Mansfield formed the Broadway Improvement Association (dedicated to developing the thoroughfare into a cosmopolitan boulevard), and was instrumental in the construction of the Stone Avenue underpass as well as president of the Southwest Improvement Company (1922) which helped promote its University Manor subdivision in the Sam Hughes neighborhood. Mansfield held numerous political offices including offices in the Tucson Chamber of Commerce, on the Arizona Aviation Committee as well as serving on the Tucson City Council from 1917 until 1918.

Mansfield's Home, at 40 E. Plaza del Encanto (#103), was constructed in 1934. He and his wife, Eleanor, lived in the home from 1946 until 1961. Monte Mansfield died on December 19, 1959. Eleanor remained in the home until 1961.(1946-61)