Life in the Old Pueblo - Then and Now

An Arizona vacation is not complete without spending some time in The Old Pueblo. Never heard of The Old Pueblo? Of course you have. You know it by its modern name Tucson! That’s right; Arizona’s second largest city is steeped in a history that is as remarkable as it is diverse. It’s rich heritage and cultural diversity is a blend of Native American, Spanish, Anglo and Mexican.

Life in The Old Pueblo can be traced back to 10,000 B.C. when the first inhabitants hunted Mammoths. The earliest known Native Americans to inhabit the area were the Hohokam, dating back to 300 A.D. A remarkably advanced culture, the Hohokam successfully thrived in the area cultivating crops and creating irrigation systems using The Santa Cruz River. The Pima and Tohono O’odham are descendants of The Hohokam and inhabit the region to this day.

The influence of the Spaniards came to the area when Don Francisco Basquez Coronado in 1540 led an expedition to the area in search of the famed seven cities of gold.

In 1775 The Presidio of San Augustin Del Tucson was established by Hugo O’Conor of the Royal Spanish Army and with it the official birth of Tucson. In 1821 Mexico won it’s independence from Spain and thus the Mexican Flag now flew over Tucson.

With the Gadsden Purchase in 1854, Tucson became part of the United States raising the Stars and Stripes. It was the Capitol of The Arizona Territory from 1867 - 1877.

In its early days, Tucson was a wild frontier town where shootouts were common and rowdy cowboys and outlaws drank in the saloons. In 1891, on land donated by a saloon owner and a couple of gamblers, the Arizona Territorial University opened. This was the precursor to The University of Arizona, one of the finest Universities in the nation.

The building of the railroad brought another new culture to . Chinese immigrants provided much of the labor in the building of the railroad. This new race of people with their own culture, customs and dress caused a stir to many who resided in the area. Many Chinese immigrants left but some families remained to seek their fortune in this new and strange land. Many farmed, some opened laundry services. In the late 1870’s the Wong family opened the O.K. Restaurant at Church St. offering meals for 75 cents.

The Railroad brought many changes to The Old Pueblo including investors, entrepreneurs, and settlers ready to start families. Thus began the start of a thriving city of legendary proportions.

Today Tucson stands as a city with the best of both worlds, a thriving metropolis with the warm friendly feel of a small town. Tucsonans are described as laid back, friendly and hospitable. It is a place where old and new stand in harmony. Where the historic meets the contemporary.

From the architecture to the cuisine it is a stunning example of what a great city should be. The climate is wonderful with great weather 360 days a year. From the desert floor to Mt. Lemmon, Tucson is a place where you can see a Wild West shootout and visit an art museum in the same day.

Spend a day hiking a desert trail through mountains filled with cacti and have a hot stone massage in the evening. You can watch a rodeo or take in a play. Listen to a cowboy band or a string quartet. Dine on anything from hot to haute.

Make sure that your Arizona travel plans include a visit to The Old Pueblo. But be warned, like many before you, you may never want to leave.