Local History Tucson

Below is a title list of most interesting local History stories about Tucson and the vicinity. Click on one of interest or browse through the stories further below.

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The Second Anza Expedition: Journey of a Lifetime!

SouthernArizonaGuide.com

In 1775, along the East Coast of North America between what would become the states of New Hampshire and Georgia, America’s founding fathers were busy fomenting rebellion against the King of England, ruler of the 18th century’s global superpower. In the Western region of the North American continent, what is … Continue reading

Where Does The Santa Cruz River Start & End?

SouthernArizonaGuide.com

The Santa Cruz River is about 184 miles long. It begins in the high grasslands of the San Rafael Valley east of Patagonia, AZ. At first, it runs south into Sonora Mexico for several miles before it changes its mind and

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The Tale of William Oury

SouthernArizonaGuide.com

Occasionally we post other works that appeal to us and we believe will appeal to our fan base. It is a video about William Oury, a Tucson Pioneer who has a neighborhood center in the Barrio Anita named after him. This is a great little video prepared by the youth … Continue reading

Look to the Mountains: A History of Mt. Lemmon

SouthernArizonaGuide.com

I found this book on the history of Mt. Lemmon at the Palisades Ranger Station on Mt. Lemmon last summer and have been trying to get time to read it ever since. The complete title is: Look to the Mountains: An in-depth look into the lives and times of the people … Continue reading

Apaches Attack A Stagecoach; Passenger and Driver Murdered!

SouthernArizonaGuide.com

Arizona Weekly Citizen: August 7, 1881 Back in the 1860’s to 1880’s, the terrorist threat to Anglo and Mexican Tucsonans was local and ever-present. Only back then, they weren’t called “terrorists”. They were called “Apaches”. Click on the picture to enlarge the article. Background to the Article In the 19th … Continue reading

Pioneer Hotel – The Fire That Destroyed Downtown Tucson

SouthernArizonaGuide.com

In the 1920’s, one of Tucson’s richest men was Albert Steinfeld. When he was 18-years-old, the German-born Steinfeld came to Tucson in 1872 via stagecoach to work for his uncle Louis’ mercantile, Zeckendorf’s. Originally, Zeckendorf’s was a large one-story adobe building with a flat roof situated just west of Calle … Continue reading

Tucson Police Capture The Dillinger Gang: No Shots Fired!

SouthernArizonaGuide.com

Part1 of 3: The Dillinger Phenomenon Editor’s Note: Tucson celebrates Dillinger Days every year in front of the Hotel Congress. 2019 will be January 18 & 19. It’s a hoot. John Dillinger robbed banks. To many, he became a popular folk hero, not unlike train robber Jessie James back in … Continue reading

The Roads Of Tucson: A Historical Perspective

SouthernArizonaGuide.com

The most common complaint I hear about Tucson is the awful condition of Tucson roads, particularly the proliferation of potholes. Every time this subject comes up I recall that Congress Street wasn’t even paved until 1912 the year Arizona became a state. From myriad accounts by travelers in those early years, any pavement was better than no pavement.

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Tucson History As Told By People Who Lived It

SouthernArizonaGuide.com

Throughout the history of Tucson, people who lived here, and others who were just traveling through, occasionally recorded their impressions. These hardy pioneers left us with a way to peak into our past though a tiny knothole in time.

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