About Tucson

Explore Ancient History

The history of Tucson, Arizona begins around 12,000 years ago when the Paleo-Indians were said to have created a settlement alongside the Santa Cruz River. Archaeologist excavations have located village sites dating back about 4,000 years. The floodplain of the Santa Cruz River was extensively farmed for almost two thousand years. These people constructed irrigation canals and grew corn, beans, and other crops while gathering wild plants and hunting animals. The Hohokam people, the same culture that settled in the Phoenix area, thrived along the Santa Cruz River until long periods of drought forced them to abandon the area around 1450.

In 1692, a Jesuit missionary named Eusebio Francisco Kino arrived in the Santa Cruz River Valley and Mission San Xavier del Bac in 1700. The Spanish established a fort in 1775, and the town came to be called “Tucson,” meaning “at the base of the black hill.” Tucson became a part of Mexico when it gained independence from Spain in 1821. In 1853, it became part of the United States of America as part of the New Mexico Territory. The Arizona Territory was formed in 1863, and Tucson held the title as capital from 1867-1879. The University of Arizona was founded in 1885.

By 1900, around 7,500 people had taken up residence in Tucson. A Veterans Hospital was built right around the same time, and many World War I veterans who had been gassed sought treatment for their respiratory difficulties because of the clean, dry air. The population of the city gradually increased and was larger than Phoenix until around 1930, when the larger state capital outgrew Tucson.

Today, Tucson still remains a thriving metropolitan area with about 550,000 people. With the variety and availability of activities in the area, it enjoys about 3.5 million visitors annually. The city and the surrounding area are the perfect choice for the ideal Arizona vacation—one you’ll remember forever.

For help planning your Tucson, AZ vacation, check out the following informative links:

Lodging 
Find the ideal accommodations. There are a variety of choices in the area.

Restaurants 
Tucson is known for its Mexican and southwestern cuisine, but there is so much more.

Activities 
Make your vacation one you’ll never forget. Rafting near Tucson is just one of the activities you can spend your day enjoying. Try horseback riding in the Sonoran desert or hiking in the Coronado National Forest.

Parks, Canyons, Caves, and Culture

Tucson is a great choice for your next Arizona vacation. There are so many great things to enjoy, many of which are just a short distance away. Hike or take a whitewater rafting trip through the Salt River Canyon or visit Saguaro National Park, Colossal Cave Mountain Park, Kartchner Caverns State Park, or Biosphere 2. You can also venture out to Mission San Xavier del Bac, a historic Spanish Catholic mission built from 1783-1797.

Don’t forget to visit many other vacation towns and destinations on your Tucson, AZ vacation, including Phoenix, Globe, Tombstone, and Casa Grande.