Tuscon Official Destination Guide - Fall/Winter 2008 - (Page 7)

ERIC J. ANDERSON In 1692, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, the famed Italian priest who served as a missionary for the Spanish Church, made the first of many visits to the site, which the native people named Chukshon, roughly meaning “spring at the foot of the black mountain.” Spain’s claim to Tucson ended when Mexico gained its independence in 1821. Tucson became part of the United States with the Gadsden Purchase in 1853 and remained so except for a brief period when Confederate soldiers seized the city during the Civil War.. SPANISH EXPLORERS FOUNDED EL PRESIDIO Present-day Tucson was founded August 20, 1775, by Irishman Hugh O’Connor, who served in the Spanish army. He established University of Arizona ARIZONA TERRITORY, A ROWDY FRONTIER Tucson once was known as a rowdy frontier town, tempered by social refinements brought by train-traveling city settlers. In 1867, when Tucson was named capital of the Arizona Territory, the townspeople invested in what they hoped would be a staRICHARD CUMMINS the walled Presidio San Agustín del Tucson. Although the original structure no longer COLORFUL HERITAGE SHAPES MODERN CITY All around town you’ll find interesting combinations of the old and the new. Residents actively support local arts—the city’s own fine symphony, ballet, opera, theater, and avant-garde art scene have made Tucson a thriving cultural center. Economic development is transforming the city as it continues to attract national and international businesses, many drawn here by the University of Arizona’s highly respected research facilities. While Tucson enters the 21st century as a progressive city, ranking among the fastestgrowing urban areas in the nation, residents strive to preserve the area’s history and protect the natural environment. Revitalization of the downtown area and a project to redevelop the area surrounding Sentinel Peak, also known as “A” Mountain, are just a couple of the ongoing efforts celebrating the unique land, history, and cultures of Tucson. HOHOKAM FARMED SANTA CRUZ VALLEY The area surrounding Sentinel Peak, a volcanic mountain just west of downtown, has been inhabited for an estimated 3,000 years and is considered the city’s birthplace. The Hohokam Indians, meaning “the vanished ones,” farmed the area when it was fed by the Santa Cruz River in the first century. After the Hohokam inexplicably disappeared, Akimel O’odham and Tohono O’odham communities settled there. WWW.VISITTUCSON.ORG Tucson Mountain Park stands, a recently completed replica gives visitors a glimpse at what life was like in Tucson during the late 1700s. See Downtown Walking Tour, page 20. ble community. In 1885, Tucson established the University of Arizona. The capital was moved north to Phoenix before Arizona became a state in 1912. TUCSON OFFICIAL DESTINATION GUIDE 7 http://www.visittucson.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tuscon Official Destination Guide - Fall/Winter 2008

Tuscon Official Destination Guide - Fall/Winter 2008 Contents Welcome to Tucson Maps & Transportation Accommodations Culinary Heritage & Culture Outdoor Adventure & Nature Golf Attractions & the Arts Shopping Newcomers & Services Index

Tuscon Official Destination Guide - Fall/Winter 2008

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