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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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Look to the Mountains: A History of Mt. Lemmon

Rose Canyon Lake on the way to Summerhaven and Ski Valley near the summit of Mt. Lemmon.

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

Tucson Sense of Place: Vintage Neon Signs: Part I

Editor’s Note: This is a three-part series. You can reach the other parts by clicking the link at the bottom of the article. Dedicated Tucsonans interested in preserving our city’s history have, over the past 7 or 8 years, saved quite a few of the old neon signs that once … Continue reading

Tucson Street Names Honor Many Who Were Killed By Apaches

Many of Tucson’s first streets were named for early pioneers, folks who came to the Old Pueblo in the 1860’s or early ’70’s. I was struck by how many of our street names honor pioneers who were killed by Apaches. Then I got to wondering, how many Tucson street names … Continue reading

Postcards of Historic Downtown Tucson: Then and Now

As a “city”, Tucson really came into its own in the first decade of the 20th century, even though the city was legally incorporated in 1877. It never amounted to anything of importance until the Southern Pacific Railroad arrived in 1880. The railroad connected Tucson to the outside world. It brought hardware, lumber, and fresh produce at affordable prices. Even today, you can see how the architecture of the city changed after the arrival of the railroad.

From Cowtown to Desert Metropolis: Roy Drachman’s Tucson

“From Cowtown to Desert Metropolis” is Roy P. Drachman’s telling of an oasis in the Sonoran Desert that, in the twentieth century, became a mid-sized American city. Mr. Drachman is the grandson of Polish immigrants who lived his first 10 years in Tucson’s Barrio Viejo, the old neighborhood south of … Continue reading

Steinfeld’s Was More Than The Big Department Store Downtown

Some time ago, we published our review of Bettina O’Neil Lyon’s excellent Tucson history book entitled Zeckendorfs & Steinfelds: Merchant Princes of the American Southwest. Tina is the granddaughter of Albert & Bettina Steinfeld. I was particularly interested because I learned so much about Downtown Tucson and its fascinating pioneer … Continue reading

A Day Trip Through History: The Santa Cruz River Valley

Tucson Convento & Chapel on the West Bank of the Santa Cruz River.

A brief history of the Santa Cruz River Valley from Tucson, South to the Mexican Border. Here you will find the Spanish missions and presidios (forts) of the Pimeria Alta, Land of the Upper Pimas. Today, Interstate 19 makes traveling this 70-mile section of Arizona history an easy day trip. … Continue reading

Our Tucson History & Libation Walking Tour Offers Wine & Food Tastings From Spanish Era

Our new, very special Tucson History & Libation Walking Tour last month was a real hit, so we will be offering it again. Get the full schedule of tours and dates here. This is your opportunity to experience 1870’s Tucson through the eyes of saloon keeper, George Hand who left us … Continue reading

Revisiting the Mission Garden in Tucson

Recently we made another visit to the Mission Garden nestled under “A” Mountain in Tucson. This is where the original gardens of one of the first settlers of Tucson tended an elaborate garden complete with an irrigation system. Having last been to the Mission Garden some years ago when it … Continue reading

Zeckendorfs & Steinfelds: Merchant Princes of the American Southwest

A newspaper ad for Zeckendorf merchanise in the 1870's.

On one of our monthly Tucson History & Libation Walking Tours, I had the distinct pleasure to meet a fellow author, although at the time I did not know it. You see, to sign up for our Southern Arizona Guide tours, folks usually go to FareHarbor and pay via credit … Continue reading