Join the Tijuana House of Culture anniversary celebration on July 17 as the historic building marks 95 years since its founding with performances, talks and community tributes
Next Thursday, July 17, the Tijuana House of Culture (Casa de la Cultura de Tijuana, CCT) will commemorate the 95th anniversary of the building that first opened as the Álvaro Obregón Elementary School. The celebration, announced by CCT coordinator Mara Maciel López during a guided tour for Agencia Fronteriza de Noticias, begins at 6:00 p.m. in the theater and on the main steps of the historic venue.
Built in 1929 by contractor ZD Agnew and designed by engineer G. Guerrero Preciado, the neoclassical structure was inaugurated on July 17, 1930. Its Ionic columns and balanced proportions were intended to symbolize the solidity of political power, according to Viridiana Ambriz Fimbres in the visitor’s guide, Tijuana House of Culture. The date also marked the second anniversary of President Álvaro Obregón’s death, for whom the original school was named.
Over the decades, the building adapted to the city’s evolving needs. It has housed elementary, middle and high schools and even served briefly as the Autonomous University of Baja California’s temporary headquarters. During World War II, from 1940 to 1945, the Mexican Army used its communications center to relay messages—sometimes via bicycle messengers—to counterparts in San Diego.
In 1977, educational activities ceased and the building was officially converted into the Casa de la Cultura de Tijuana. On January 31, 2014, the state government declared it a Cultural Heritage Site of Baja California. Today, the CCT welcomes more than 25,000 visitors each year and offers workshops in visual arts, music, languages and theater across its three levels. The venue also hosts rotating exhibitions, stage performances and concerts.
The on-site theater seats 500 people, and visitors can explore a library, art gallery and literary café. Since 2019, the National Institute of Fine Arts has endorsed the School of Artistic Initiation for children ages six to nine, providing early arts education within the building’s historic walls.
At the July 17 ceremony, retired teacher Francisco Mendoza—who witnessed the building’s transformation from school to cultural center—will deliver a special talk. “I saw students file in for classes here and later watched the space evolve into a hub for art and community,” Mendoza said. Several former teachers and alumni from the building’s school years have been invited to join the celebration.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to share personal stories and memories of the building. The evening will feature a tango performance, reflecting the CCT’s commitment to presenting diverse artistic forms.
Looking ahead, Mara Maciel López announced the development of a permanent program to bring performances and activities tailored to all ages, with a special emphasis on children. “We want to activate every corner of this building—through play, learning and creativity—so that young visitors feel at home here,” she said.
In October, the Casa de la Cultura will host a series of events to mark its anniversary month, including collaborations with local artists and the Tijuana Opera company. Additionally, a summer camp for children ages five to 12 will run from July 14 to August 8, offering workshops in music, theater and visual arts.
With nearly a century of history behind it, the Tijuana House of Culture continues to bridge past and future—honoring its origins as a school while nurturing new generations of artists and community members.
