University of Arizona - Desert Yearbook (Tucson, AZ)

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200 years of Tucson living BY DONNA MEEKS (Facts taken from Arizona Daily Star Bicentennial Supplements. Aug. 24, 1975) It was on Aug. 20, 1775, that San Augistin delTucson was founded by Spanish Col. Hugo Oconor who noted that the area met the requirements of water, pasture, and wood. El Pueblo Viejo, as Tuscon was dubbed by many Mexican and Indian residents, was where it was because a fort was needed between the Mission at Tumacacori and the Presidio at Tubac. Though it is hard to believe today, Tucson ' s greatest advan- tage was its water. The Santa Cruz River created fertile farm- land, provided power for the flour and lumber mills and was a source of life and enjoyment to Tucson ' s first residents. However, early pioneers who passed through described Tuc- son as dreary, dangerous, and uncivilized. Because of its isola- tion, gamblers and Mexican bandits thrived in Tucson. There was also a shortage of women, adding to Tucson ' s early unpo- pularity. But about the time of Tucson ' s Centennial in 1 875, families started settling in the Old Pueblo. More and more of the town ' s activities were cen- tered around the family, and the Catholic church. Tucson thrived again, this time as a city and not as a fort. Then another hardship came to Tucson residents. Because of overgrazing, extensive wood- cutting (which caused erosion), and the rapidly growing water needs of the city, Tucson ' s water sources dried up. Fortu- nately Tucson found other rea- sons for existence. Five of these reasons are well known to all good students of Arizona History: the five C ' s. Copper, Climate, Citrus, Cotton, and Cattle all began to attract settlers to Tucson. Tucson also became a major transportation center in the West and mushroomed during the Califor- nia Gold Rush. These industries kept Tucson growing steadily until the turn of the 20th century when residents began to capitalize upon one of Tucson ' s world-famous attrac- tions: air. Clean and clear and especially dry. Health seekers, attracted by the wonder air, began coming here in droves in the early 1900 ' s. Tourists also flocked to Tucson in increasing numbers over the years, and many decided to make Tucson their home. Several industries, nota- bly aviation and the just-boom- ing astronomy complex, are results of the clean air. Today Tucson ' s air is drawing less and less praise. On many days, the air is clouded t y smog from the ever-growing number of cars in the valley and mine smelters outside of the valley. Non-native vegetation brought in to green the yards of transplanted Easterners has brought on such a startling increase in pollen that some doctors are sending their asthma patients to other states. And astronomers are worried that bright lights from the ever- growing urban sprawl will encroach upon their nighttime observatories. Nevertheless, Tucson contin- ues to boom in 1975, Arizo- na ' s growth rate was topped only by one state in the Union, California. So for now, at least, Tucson will remain a thriving metropolis. 200 years, and many more to come. So rest in peace, Hugo Oconor, wherever you are. TUES0N 1775 - 1875 BICENTENNIAL tucson bicentennial 23

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Tucson s diary: 1775 to today 1775 Col. Hugo Oconor was sent by the viceroy of New Spain to relocate four military outposts, one of which he placed near the Santa Cruz River and named San Augustin deTuixon. 1783 The Franciscan Padres began their church, San Xavier del Bac, the White Dove of the Desert, which stands today. 1 797 This year in Tucson there were 79 civilian settlers outside the fort. 1862 The farthest west battle of the Civil War was fought at Picacho Peak. Five men were killed. 1863 President Abraham Tucson in 1884 (Az. Historical Society photo) Lincoln signed into law a bill creating the territory of Arizona. 1 867 Tucson became the capital of the state and remained so for ten years. 1 848 The Treaty of Gua- dalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexi- can-American War. The U.S. got, among other things, all of Arizona north of the Gila. 1 853 Col. James Gadsden completed arrangements with Mexico to purchase the land south of the Gila. 1877 In this year when Tucson became an incorpo- rated city it contained: two hotels, a courthouse, a jail, 15 general stores, two breweries, one bank, ten saloons, two flour mills, four livery stables, a public school with 300 students, two jewelry stores and several other small establishments. 1 880 Tucson nuns added further luster to the town by opening St. Mary ' s Hospital. 1883 The Tucson Police Dept. was established. 1907 A court ruled that cattlemen and miners would be allowed to wear their guns for two hours after their arrival in town, and that poker would be illegal only if played in public. 1912 Arizona was admit- ted to the union on Feb. 1 4. 1921 - - All through the year there was a financial Depres- sion. But in Tucson, the condi- tions were reported to be better than the rest of the country. 3,373 hobos were flushed out of SP freights in the Tucson divi- sion in one month alone. 1925 The city acquires 1280 acres for a military airfield that was to be named for two Tucsonans, Sam Davis and Oscar Monthan. 1927 More than 20,000 Arizonans greeted the Spirit of St. Louis, which, piloted by Charles Lindburgh, lands in Tucson. 1931 Gasoline-powered 24 tucson bicentennial