Entertainment Magazine: Arizona: Tucson Tucson's history spans thousands of yearsPhoto: The old military plaza in Tucson in the eary 1900's.Tucson, Arizona's "modern" history, as we know it, began hundreds of years ago, although humans have been continuously living in the Tucson-area for possibly 15,000 years. This section of the Tucson Entertainment Magazine explores the many stories that were left behind about the history of Tucson. Read from chapters of historic books on Tucson and download free PDF samples of some current books on Tucson's history.
The Hohokam, O'odham, Sobaipuri tribes lived throughout the Tucson basin for centuries. They roamed from the Santa Cruz River to the Canada del Oro to the Rillito Rivers depending on the seasons and available water. Even though they fought with neighboring tribes, when the Spanish first trekked through in the 1550s, they had no idea of the changes that would come from these outsiders visits and eventual conquest. Tucson in the 1600s remained relatively serene until the end of the century when a new wave of Spanish infiltration began with the journeys of Father Eusebio Kino. The Tucson of the 1700s was shaped by the efforts of the Jesuits and the Spanish military to exploit mineral and human resources as they settled the Tucson valley. The Royal Spanish Presidio of San Augustin del Tucson was established on August 20, 1775. Each year, Los Decendientes del Presidio de Tucson, Los Cascarones, and other local organizations host events to celebrate Tucson's official birthdate in 1775. The annual Tucson birthday celebration is held the 3rd week of every August. This special event recognizes the five different flags that have flown over the city of Tucson since its founding in 1775. San Xavier mission plays a large role in the establishment of Tucson's long history. Other evidence proves humans have inhabited the Tucson area for tens of thousands of years. Tucson's other early mission- Mission Santa Catalina de Cuitakbagu. Somewhere near the the Cañada del Oro, north of Tucson, Arizona, there may have beem another early Jesuit mission called the “Mission of Santa Catalina (Catarina).” There is a legend of a lost mission in the Santa Catalina mountains that was destroyed by Apache Indians.
"Treasures of the Santa Catalina Mountains"
Download free Tucson Chronicles newspaper and read more about the "Treasures of the Santa Catalinas." The Tucson Gold RushTucson has been experiencing a gold rush for hundreds of years. A new book in preparation explores the exciting Tucson Gold Rush period of the 1880s. After the Gadsden Purchase, Americans began to flood the Southwest United States in search of gold, silver and copper. In the 1880s, numerous mining claims were staked throughout the Catalinas, many reclaiming old abandoned Spanish and Mexico diggings. Many of the claims were owned by prominent Tucson businessmen who spent their weekends scouring the nearby mountains for precious minerals.
As several missions were established in the valley near the Santa Cruz river, some reports included mining operations by the Jesuits deep inside of the Catalina Mountains. Explore the historical records that account for that thousands of pounds of gold, silver and gold-in-quartz that has been extracted from the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Mining in the Catalina MountainsThe Santa Catalina Mountains became valued for its copper and other precious metals in the late 1800s through the mid 1940s. This period of mining brought thousands of people to live and work throughout the Catalina Mountains from Mt. Lemmon to Oracle. Such notables as W.F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody owned extensive mining claims in the back hills. The Mine with the Iron Door is the legend of the lost Escalante mine that supposedly contains gold mined by the Pima Indians under the Jesuits occupancy. The Iron Door Mine was sealed up and its location is lost on history. But, the mine legend is still alive. Find out about more historical dates leading up to Tucson's establishment.
Tucson's History Archives - Download PDFsAs a special feature, we uncovered several out of print books about Tucson written at the beginning of the 1900's. These books are now in the public domain and can be read online or downloaded for free.
Local Tucson History BooksThese books on Tucson history and legends are written by local author and publisher Robert Zucker. These books are available on Amazon.com.
Tucson Gold Rush 1880 explores the period when local businessmen explored the nearby mountains in search of gold, silver and copper. Profiles on local pioneers and their stories about prospecting the Tucson mountains.
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