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Tucson, Arizona

To say nothing is out here is incorrect; to say the desert is stingy with everything except space and light, stone and earth is closer to the truth.
William Trogdon

The City of Tucson is located in Pima County, Arizona. It is 116 miles south of Phoenix, the Arizona capital, and about 65 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The state of Arizona and most of the Native American reservations within Arizona are on Mountain Standard Time all year long. The Navajo Reservation switches to Daylight Savings Time during the summer.

History
Population
Wildlife
Weather
Airport
Traffic
Links to other general Tucson Web sites
Moving to Tucson? information to help you get started.

History

The Hohokam Indians were the first settlers in the Tucson area, farming the valley floor as early as 100 A.D., when it was fed by a river. By the time the Spanish had arrived, the Hohokam had disappeared, and been replaced in the area by the Pima and Tohono O'odham tribes. The early Western visitors were missionaries for the Spanish church in the late 1600's. Here, they found an Indian village called Stjukshon, roughly translated as "spring at the foot of the black mountain." The name referred to the then-flowing Santa Cruz river, which is now a storm-fed wash. The name was changed to the Westernized Tucson when the Spanish explorers built the Presidio of San Augustin in 1775. This walled city provided refuge for travelers and residents, and was nicknamed the "Old Pueblo," a nickname still used today.

After the Mexican Revolution of 1821, Tucson came under Mexican rule. The Gadsden Purchase in June 1854 claimed Tucson as part of the United States Territory of Arizona. During the Civil War, the Confederate cavalry under the command of Capt. Sherrod Hunter captured Tucson in February 1862. Two months later, Union soldiers led by Col. James Carleton came from California, and a battle ensued at Picacho Pass on Butterfield Road approximately 42 miles north of Tucson. This battle turned the leadership of Tucson back over to the U.S. as Confederate forces retreated.

The 1860's were the days of the Wild West in Tucson. The town was known as a rowdy frontier town tempered by social refinements brought by city settlers. The town of Tombstone, where the infamous "Shootout at the OK Corral" took place, is located about 50 miles southeast of Tucson. Tucson was the territorial capital from 1867 until 1877, and by 1880, the first train rolled in and the population had grown to over 7,000. Arizona finally became a state in 1912.

Population

The 1994 Census found more than 700,000 people residing in Tucson, and the population continues to grow. The city of Tucson has no suburbs in the classic sense--as growth continues beyond the city limits, more city is annexed. Much of the population and business is comprised of three sources: The University of Arizona, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and the large number of retired or semi-retired people who spend the winter here (often referred to as "snowbirds"). The University employs thousands of residents and contributes a large sum to the local economy. DMAFB was an important World War II training site and was home base for the A-10's (Warthogs) used in the Gulf war. It has survived recent military cutbacks and shutdowns and contributes significantly to Tucson's economy. The mild winter months here and in Phoenix make these cities ideal for winter visitors.

Wildlife

Desert wildlife is often viewed as scary and dangerous by people from other parts of the country. Cactus, scorpions, black widow spiders, wild coyotes, and rattlesnakes are common to the Arizona desert. However, none of these plants or animals is in the habit of attacking people unless threatened and unable to run away. Scorpion, black widow, and snake bites are often poisonous enough to kill small animals like cats and rabbits, but will only make a human sick. Antidotes are readily available as well. Coyotes live in the mountains and foothills and occasionally will venture into yards and make off with pets for food. The number of incidences of coyotes eating humans, though, is incredibly small. Cactus spines are usually strong and sharp, so it is wise to keep your distance from then when walking or hiking, especially since some have hooked spines somewhat like brambles or thistle burrs. However, the abundance and variety of cacti native to the area are spectacular. Keep your eyes open for flowering cacti in the spring!

Weather

Arizona is famous for its warm, dry climate. The average minimum temperature is 54F (12C) and the average maximum is 82F (28C), while the rainfall is a desert level (only 12 inches (30.5 cm) per year). Because Tucson is situated at a southerly latitude, the sunshine here is more direct than in northern cities. It is very easy to sunburn, even on cloudy days and in the winter! Daily sunscreen is recommended for fair-skinned people prone to burning, and extra caution is recommended for everyone.

Summer: The summertime temperatures climb into the 100's during the day and only fall to the 80's or 90's at night. The air humidity levels linger near 10% during the spring and early summer, so it is often a good idea to leave out pans of water in your house if the dryness bothers you. Later in the summer, Tucson receives the majority of its annual rainfall in the form of afternoon thunderstorms, often nicknamed monsoons. These storms span only a few hours but dump a lot of rain. The city has no sewer system but set up its streets to channel this sudden runoff into the river washes, so driving is hazardous both during and after the monsoon storms.

Winter: Don't leave your sweaters and blankets at home! Nighttime winter temperatures commonly dip into the low 30's. Days are mostly sunny and pleasant, and there are occasional rainstorms when there is snow in the rest of the world. It has been known to snow even here (!), but the snow usually melts before accumulating. Skiing and other snow-related sports are as close as Mt. Lemmon, and are common in Flagstaff (which is at an altitude a full mile above Tucson).

Sightseeing and Activities

Because Tucson has such a mild climate, outdoor activities go on year-round. Be sure to bring your bathing suit, hiking boots, camping gear, tennis racquet, bicycle, baseball glove, frisbee, or whatever outdoor equipment you have. When the weather gets too hot in the summer, Mt. Lemmon and the Catalina Mountains are a cool 45 minutes away, with mountain pine forest climates. Skiing is popular in Flagstaff in the winter months as well.

For a beautiful and informative introduction to the desert, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is highly recommended. It is a collection of desert plants and animals in natural habitats, and exhibits about the g eology and history of the area. Take Speedway Blvd. west through Gates' Pass (a popular site to watch sunsets) to Kinney Rd. and follow the signs. While you're there, check out Saguaro National Park. Walking through the natural areas of Tucson is also a recommended activity; the two most well-known spots are Sabino Canyon and Mt. Lemmon. Sabino Canyon is a secluded area right in the middle of the city, with running streams and many hiking trails. A paved road ascends the gorge and a tram runs regularly from the visitors center for those less into hiking. Take Tanque Verde Road east to Sabino Canyon Road; follow that north to the visitors entrance. Mt. Lemmon is the highest peak in the Santa Catalina mountains that range north of the city. A winding road leads to Summerhaven, a cute touristy town at the top of the mountain. Watch the climate change as you drive up the mountain--from scrub and cactus at the bottom to cool pine forest at the top. There are also some breathtaking lookouts along the way. No gas is available anywhere along this road. Take Tanque Verde Road east to the Catalina Highway; follow Catalina Highway up the mountain. There is a $5 charge per vehicle now to use the Catalina Highway.

The state of Arizona boasts many monuments, forest areas, and park areas run by the National Park Service, including Grand Canyon National Park. The south rim of Grand Canyon is open year-round, and the less-crowded north rim is open from May through the fall months. Camping on the rim is permitted only in designated campgrounds; camping in the canyon is by permit only. Admission to the park is $10 per car. To get to Grand Canyon's south rim, take I-10 north to Phoenix, then continue north to Flagstaff on I-17. Follow the signs in Flagstaff to U.S. 89 north / Grand Canyon.

Traffic

The majority of the city streets are laid out along a grid pattern, with avenues running north-south and streets east-west. House numbers are sequential and correlated with the grid. While I-10 passes the city on its west and south sides and I-19 leads south to Nogales, Tucson does not have any expressways within the city. The main roads are usually jammed during rush hours. To alleviate this, construction to widen roads is a common sight, and "suicide lanes" are used on Grant Road and Broadway Boulevard. These make the middle lane, usually reserved as a turn lane only, into a one-way traffic lane. Between the hours of 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m., there are NO LEFT TURNS ALLOWED on either of these streets, even at lights. To attempt one could result in a head-on collision -- hence the nickname "suicide lane."

Airport

The Tucson International Airport is located 7 miles south of downtown Tucson and is served by most major carriers. However, a larger variety of flight times and destinations (and often, cheaper tickets) can be had by flying in and out of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, just south of Phoenix. Several ground shuttle companies operate between the two airports.

Other Web resources:

The University of Arizona's Tucson Links

Pima Community College's Community pages

Internet Tucson

The Arizona Guide

PtyS/LPL Home Page