|
Tucson loves to celebrate its rich medley of cultures, architecture, and peoples. The community places an emphasis on preserving its colorful heritage and on maintaining a casual attitude despite fresh growth. Arizona's oldest city established the same year Paul Revere made his famous ride through Boston has become a trendy spot for cosmopolitan ambience. Named "a mini Mecca for the arts" by The Wall Street Journal, and included in the book, "50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family," Tucson also is ranked ninth in the "12 Best Walking Cities in the U.S." list by Prevention Magazine; criteria includes low crime rates, mass transit, air quality, and the number of historic sites, museums, parks and gyms each city has.
 Tohono O'odham women fill ollas from a shallow hand-dug well.
Nicknamed "The Old Pueblo" after the Spanish meaning for town or village, the name Tucson comes from the O'odham tribe and was pronounced chuk-shon, meaning "spring at the foot of a black mountain." Continuously inhabited for more than 12,000 years, the area has been home to Native Americans, Spanish explorers, Mexicans, Europeans, and West-bound pioneers.
Archaeologists have found evidence of the ancient Hohokum Civilization living in the Tucson basin as early as 900 A.D. The Santa Cruz River once flowed through this picturesque desert valley, supporting abundant wildlife and agriculture. In 1539, a Spanish expedition led by Fray Marcos de Niza traveled through the area in search of the Seven Cities of Cibola. Tucson is one of the oldest towns in the United States, founded in 1775 by Don Hugo O'Connor, an Irishman who was an officer in Spain's military. He established the Tucson Presidio as a military outpost. When Spanish settlers arrived in 1776 the Presidio of Tucson was enclosed with an adobe wall for protection from the native Apache tribe, who quite obviously did not put out a welcome mat for the newcomers.
Tucson officially became part of the United States with the Gadsden Purchase of 1854 and served as the capital of the Arizona Territory from 1867 to 1877. Early Tucson was a major outpost, a Butterfield Overland Stagecoach stop, and a rowdy frontier town tempered only by social refinements of new settlers from more civilized cities back east. The town prospered and boasted a population of more than 7,000 by the early 1800s, making it one of the largest cities in the West. The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1880 paved the way for modern growth, which was further stimulated by the founding of the University of Arizona in 1885. The University opened its doors in 1891 on land donated by a saloonkeeper and two gamblers.
After World War I, veterans with damaged lungs sought the dry air and healing power of Tucson's climate. During World War II the opening of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and the rise of local aeronautical industries attracted many military families. The city has experienced remarkable and steady growth since the 1950s, and many people have moved to the area from the Midwest and nearby California because of the lower housing costs and spectacular scenery. In recent years, the metropolitan area has become a popular resort and golf destination. Archaeologists have found evidence of the ancient Hohokum Civilization living in the Tucson basin as early as 900 A.D. The Santa Cruz River once flowed through this picturesque desert valley, supporting abundant wildlife and agriculture. In 1539, a Spanish expedition led by Fray Marcos de Niza traveled through the area in search of the Seven Cities of Cibola. Tucson is one of the oldest towns in the United States, founded in 1775 by Don Hugo O'Connor, an Irishman who was an officer in Spain's military. He established the Tucson Presidio as a military outpost. When Spanish settlers arrived in 1776 the Presidio of Tucson was enclosed with an adobe wall for protection from the native Apache tribe, who quite obviously did not put out a welcome mat for the newcomers.
Tucson officially became part of the United States with the Gadsden Purchase of 1854 and served as the capital of the Arizona Territory from 1867 to 1877. Early Tucson was a major outpost, a Butterfield Overland Stagecoach stop, and a rowdy frontier town tempered only by social refinements of new settlers from more civilized cities back east. The town prospered and boasted a population of more than 7,000 by the early 1800s, making it one of the largest cities in the West. The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1880 paved the way for modern growth, which was further stimulated by the founding of the University of Arizona in 1885. The University opened its doors in 1891 on land donated by a saloonkeeper and two gamblers.
After World War I, veterans with damaged lungs sought the dry air and healing power of Tucson's climate. During World War II the opening of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and the rise of local aeronautical industries attracted many military families. The city has experienced remarkable and steady growth since the 1950s, and many people have moved to the area from the Midwest and nearby California because of the lower housing costs and spectacular scenery. In recent years, the metropolitan area has become a popular resort and golf destination.
Article courtesey of Scott James Hubbard - About Tucson Arizona |
