Last Sunday, April 12, 2015, was a very good day for a walking tour of historic Downtown Tucson. The weather was overcast and cool. The 20-some folks on this, our History & Libation Tour, were delightful; all eager to learn more about the Old Pueblo’s illustrious heritage.
As tour guide, I was having a good time sharing what I know about Tucson in the 1870’s and 80’s. We were in search of George Hand’s Tucson. Mr. Hand was a saloonkeeper who kept a diary of events. On our walkabout, we stopped at many places that are not particularly special today. But reading excerpts from Mr. Hand’s diary and using old photographs and maps allowed us to time-travel back to another era and imagine the events and people that made these places historically noteworthy.
For example, we “discovered” the Foster & Hand Saloon at Meyer Avenue and Mesilla Street buried under a now defunct Holiday Inn. It was a block from the Congress Hall Saloon, the fanciest drinking & gambling establishment in town. We discovered the remnants of the first Catholic Cathedral and Church Plaza where so many joyous festivals had taken place in George Hand’s day.
Downtown History Museums
A docent from the Arizona Historical Society gave us a tour of the Sosa-Carrillo-Fremont House and the Downtown History Museum. Many long-time residents of Tucson have told me that they did not even know these historical treasures were here. But they are a “must visit” for any quality Tucson history tour.
We saw where “The Wedge” had been; and Maiden Lane, euphemistically referred to as the “Sporting District”. We re-discovered the “Royal Road”, “Cemetery Street”, “Street of Joy”, “Ditch Street”, & “Camp Street”. All were important Downtown streets back then; and still are; except the names have changed and their history almost forgotten.
We located the spot where four men, three murderers and one horse thief, were lynched by an angry mob. We “saw” the first Pima County Courthouse where 100 local men were brought to trial on the orders of President Grant for their roles in the Camp Grant Massacre.
We stopped by the homes of three prominent businessmen and political leaders and learned about their successes and tragedies. Many were mentioned in Mr. Hand’s diary.
We had a fine lunch at Maynard’s in the historic train depot, and afterward went to the spot were Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday killed one of the men responsible for the ambush of Deputy U.S. Marshal & Tombstone Police Chief Virgil Earp and the assassination of his deputy and brother, Morgan Earp. Of Mr. Stilwell, Mr. Hand’s wrote, “… the most shot-up man I have ever seen.”
We ended our tour at El Presidio del Tucson, founded by an Irishman working for the King of Spain the same year America’s founding fathers were plotting a rebellion against the King of England.
Next Tour
All in all, it was a splendid way to spend a Sunday. I wish you could have been there.
Our next tour, Tombstone At Twilight, will be the afternoon and evening of Saturday, April 25th. Click HERE for the particulars. Please join us. It’s going to be a hoot!
