Tucson is a community loved by its residents, and warmly welcomes all those joining us for a visit or through relocation. Its rich cultural medley thrives throughout its architecture, its food, its art, its music, its benevolence, and all credited to the history of its people-past and present. Despite the youthfulness of its population, the community has preserved its colorful heritage and casual attitude. Paul Revere made his famous ride through Boston the year Tucson became established, and is therefore Arizona's oldest city established the same year, although there is much evidence of its inhabitation long before. Named " a mini Mecca for the arts " by The Wall Street Journal, and included in the book, " 50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family, " Tucson also is ranked ninth in the " 12 Best Walking Cities in the U.S. " list by Prevention Magazine; one of the 3 best outdoor biking and hiking communities, the best retirement location with criteria including low crime rates, mass transit, air quality, and the number of historic sites, museums, parks, gyms, and the blessing of glorious sunshine.

In days past it bustled with saloons filled with rowdy patrons and the Butterfield Stage rolling over dusty city streets, but the independent feeling of the Old West remains. Tucson is the largest city in southern Arizona and one of the fastest growing urban areas in the Southwest with thriving business, a magnificent University, industry that makes sense, resorts to suit any need, but the people are the driving force behind making things happen.

Its name comes from the O’odham tribe “chuk-shon” means “spring at the foot of black mountain,” and its affectionate nickname, “The Old Pueblo,” comes directly from our Spanish heritage. The aspirations of a respectfully mixed population allow Tucsonans to embrace a quality of life where the American dream can still come true and individual voices can be heard. Tucson has been continuously inhabited for more than 12,000 years and has been home to Native Americans, Spanish explorers, Mexicans, Europeans, and West-bound pioneers.

A treasure trove for archeologists, they have found evidence of the ancient Hohokum Civilization living in the Tucson basin as early as 900 A.D. In the early 16th century a Spanish expedition led by Fray Marcos de Niza traveled through the area in search of the Seven Cities of Cibola. Tucson was actually founded in 1775 by Don Hugo O'Connor, an Irishman and an officer in Spain's military. The Presidio was a military outpost. When Spanish settlers arrived in 1776 the Presidio of Tucson was enclosed with an adobe wall for protection from the marauding Apache tribes.

When the United States, through the Gadsden Purchase of 1854 acquired the land of Southern Arizona was acquired, Tucson served as the capital of the Arizona Territory from 1867 to 1877. Early Tucson was a major outpost with Fort Lowell housing Union troops, a Butterfield Overland Stagecoach stop, and a rowdy frontier town tempered only by social customs of new settlers bringing their refinements acquired in other communities. In the 1920’s and 30’s, Tucson was frequented, and grew by many needing the healing power of dry air and the power of Tucson’s climate.