TEMPE, Ariz. (KPNX) — The former home of Arizona’s fourth governor will soon be turned into a new restaurant concept by the owners of a Thai restaurant in Phoenix.
The City of Tempe has announced that the Benjamin Baker Moeur House and Hatton Hall, located near 7th Street and Mill Avenue, are expected to be turned into a new restaurant by the owners of Glai Baan.
The Moeur House was originally built in 1893 and was purchased by Dr. Benjamin B. Moeur in 1896. He lived in the house until his death in 1937.
Moeur was the fourth person to serve as governor after he successfully defeated incumbent Gov. George W.P. Hunt to win his party’s nomination in 1932.
Moeur served as governor of Arizona during the Great Depression, from 1933 to 1937. He died just a couple of months after leaving office and was buried at Tempe’s Butte Cemetery.
“Through all of these undertakings, Moeur exhibited arguably one of the most unique and captivating personalities in Arizona, a cigar ever-present in his mouth, profanities streaming forth in every sentence, all the while acting as a humanitarian who cared more for others than for himself,” a biography of Moeur’s states on the City of Tempe website.
In the 1990s, the City of Tempe adapted the Moeur House to be used as offices for the city council. The city has reported spending about $2 million on restoring and rehabilitating the century-old home and the surrounding property. Hatton Hall, which was added to the property in 1993, is named after former councilwoman Patricia A. Hatton.
The new restaurant concept is expected to open next year.