Tucson Arizona History

In 1864 the First Territorial Legislature incorporated the Arizona Historical Society "to preserve the relics and paint the wonders of the past." The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) is Arizona's oldest cultural organization. Their mission was to preserve Arizona history for the present and future.

Tubac was founded in 1752 by the Spanish and used as a (presidio) fort. Today artists' studios are home to where the Spanish military used to be. You can visit Tubac's Presidio State Historic Park located in the village's Old Town to experience this town's history.

More than ninety businesses are now located in Tubac Arizona, 45 minutes south of Tucson. Plan to spend a full day enjoyed the many art galleries, working studios and unusual gift shops. A variety of restaurants are open for lunch and dinner.

The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail follows the riparian corridor of the Santa Cruz River alongside Highway I-19. Anza followed the river on his expedition to California, where he founded San Francisco. In Tubac, south of Tucson, a small historical town and art colony, the trail is easily accessible and full of many species of Arizona birds.

This is a common area to see the Broad-billed Hummingbird, Northern Cardinal, Arizona flycatchers and kingbirds.

San Xavier Mission

Tucson Arizona

The site for the church was chosen by the Jesuit missionary Father Eusebio Kino in 1700, and named for his patron saint, St. Francis Xavier. Work on the present structure began about 1783. San Xavier was completed in 1797, and has been continuously in use since then, serving members of the Tohono O'Odham Nation. It is considered the finest example of mission architecture in Arizona as well as the United States.

Old Tucson Studios is where the West was filmed! From western movie heroes like John Wayne to Harrison Ford, many Hollywood's legends have walked these rugged old streets. The Studio has been the setting for hundreds of major motion pictures. Be a part of the more than 350,000 guests who visit the park each year to retrace the footsteps of their favorite stars and spend a day in the life of an Arizona 1880's western town.

The Old West comes alive with gunfights in the streets, saloon girls, trail and stagecoach rides. And there is now a western-history educational program focusing on Arizona's pioneers, including Native Americans.

There are new exhibits and shows being added all the time, so even if you have visited Old Tucson in the last couple of years it is time to visit again.