Cityscape
Similar to many other Western U.S. cities, Tucson was developed on a grid plan, with the city center at Stone Avenue and Broadway Boulevard. While this intersection was initially near the geographic center of Tucson, that center has shifted as the city has expanded far to the east. An expansive city covering substantial area, Tucson has many distinct neighborhoods.
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Earliest neighborhoods
Tucson's early neighborhoods (some of which are covered by the Tucson Convention Center) include Barrio Libre; Barrio Anita, named for an early settler; Barrio Tiburón (in the present Fourth Avenue arts district), designated in territorial times as a "(red light) district"; El Jardín, named for an early recreational site, Levin's Gardens; and El Ollo, named for a lake that was part of the gardens. Up until the building of the Tucson Convention Center (or TCC), El Ollo referred to this part of the city, which was inhabited mainly by Mexican-American citizens and immigrants from Mexico. Other historical neighborhoods include Armory Park, south of downtown, the Sam Hughes neighborhood (named after an instigator-hero of the Camp Grant Massacre), located east of the University of Arizona, and Menlo Park, situated adjacent to Sentinel Peak.
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Downtown
Downtown Tucson is undergoing a revitalization effort by city planners and the business community. The primary project is Rio Nuevo, a large retail and community center that has been in planning for more than ten years. Downtown is generally classified as north of 12th Street, east of I-10, and southwest of Toole Avenue and the Union Pacific (formerly Southern Pacific) railroad tracks. Downtown is divided into the Presidio District, Convention District, and the Congress Street Arts & Entertainment District.
UniSource Energy Tower (center) as seen from Congress St looking eastTucson's tallest building, the 23-story UniSource Energy Tower (also called the Bank Building) is situated downtown and was completed in 1986. The proposed Century Tower for downtown would surpass the Bank Building at 27 stories. Other high-rise buildings downtown include Bank of America Plaza, and the Pioneer (completed in 1914).
Attractions downtown include the historic Hotel Congress designed in 1919, the Art Deco Fox Tucson Theatre designed in 1929, the Rialto Theatre opened in 1920, and St. Augustine Cathedral completed in 1896. Included on the National Register of Historic Places is the old Pima County Courthouse, completed in 1927.
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Central or Midtown
As one of the oldest parts of town, Central Tucson is anchored by the intersection of Broadway Boulevard and Country Club Road. The University of Arizona, chartered in 1885, is located in midtown and includes Arizona Stadium and McKale Center. Historic Tucson High School (designed in 1924), and the Arizona Inn (built in 1930) are also located in Central Tucson.
Tucson's largest park, Reid Park is located in midtown and includes Reid Park Zoo and Hi Corbett Field. Local retail business in Central Tucson is concentrated along Fourth Avenue and the Main Gate Square on University Boulevard near the UA campus. The El Con Mall is also located in midtown.
Speedway Boulevard, a major east-west arterial road in central Tucson, was named the "ugliest street in America" by Life Magazine in the early 1970s, quoting Tucson Mayor James Corbett. Despite this, Speedway Boulevard was awarded "Street of the Year" by Arizona Highways in the late 1990s.
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South Side
South Tucson is administered largely by the city that shares its name. The South Side of Tucson is generally defined as the area north of Los Reales Road, east of I-19 and southwest of Aviation Parkway. The majority of Tucson's Mexican-American population live on the south side. The Tucson International Airport and Tucson Electric Park are also located on the south side.
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West Side
West Tucson is a combination of urban and suburban development. Generally defined as the area west of I-10, West Tucson encompasses the banks of the Santa Cruz River and the foothills of the Tucson Mountains. Attractions in West Tucson include Saguaro National Park West, Sentinel Peak, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Old Tucson Studios, and the Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa.
On Sentinel Peak, just west of downtown, there is a giant "A" in honor of the University of Arizona. Starting in about 1910, a yearly tradition developed for freshmen to whitewash the "A", which would be visible for miles. However, at the beginning of the Iraq War, anti-war activists painted it black. This was followed by a paint scuffle wherein the "A" was painted various colors until the City Council intervened. It is now red, white and blue except when it is white or another color decided by a biennial election. Because of the three-color paint scheme often used, the shape of the A can be vague and indistinguishable from the rest of the peak. The top of Sentinel Peak, which is accessible by road, offers an outstanding scenic view of the city looking eastward. A parking lot located near the summit of Sentinel Peak was formerly a popular place to watch sunsets, view the city lights at night, or engage in necking. This is no longer possible as a recent ordinance has forced the closing of Sentinel Peak at 8 p.m. Every evening Tucson Police set up a barricade blocking the entrance while they force the evacuation of all visitors off the mountain.
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North Side
North Tucson includes the urban neighborhoods of Amphitheater and Flowing Wells. Usually considered the area north of Fort Lowell Road, North Tucson includes some of Tucson's primary commercial zones (Tucson Mall and the Oracle Road Corridor). Many of the city's most upscale boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries are also located on the North Side including St. Philip's Plaza. The Plaza is directly adjacent to the historic St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church (built in 1936).
Also on the North Side is the suburban community of Catalina Foothills, located in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains just north of the city limits. This community includes among the area's most expensive homes, commonly multi-million dollar estates. The Foothills area is generally defined as north of River Road, east of First Avenue, and west of Sabino Creek. Some of the Tucson area's major resorts are located in the Catalina Foothills, including the Westin La Paloma Resort, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort and Canyon Ranch Resort. La Encantada, an upscale outdoor shopping mall, is also in the Foothills.
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East Side
East Tucson is relatively new compared to other parts of the city, developed between the 1950s and the 1970s. East Tucson is generally classified as the area of the city east of Swan Road, with above average real estate values relative to the rest of the city. The area includes urban and suburban development near the Rincon Mountains. East Tucson includes Saguaro National Park East. Tucson's Restaurant Row is also located on the East Side, along with a significant corporate and financial presence. Tucson's largest office building is 5151 East Broadway in East Tucson, completed in 1975. Park Place, a recently renovated shopping center, is also located on the East Side.
Situated between the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Rincon Mountains near Redington Pass northeast of the city limits is the community of Tanque Verde. The Arizona National Golf Club, Forty-Niners Country Club, and the historic Tanque Verde Guest Ranch are also in Northeast Tucson.
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Southeast Side
Southeast Tucson continues to experience rapid residential development. The area includes the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The area is classified as south of Golf Links Road. The suburban community of Vail is also located on the Southeast Side.
Also the birthplace of African-American author Joshua Lopez. One of his most famous writtings "Watch the Blue Bird Fly" is displayed at Cienega High School.
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Northwest Side
Much of the Northwest Side is single-family residential areas, as seen from the northeastern foothills of the Tucson MountainsThe expansive area northwest of the city limits is known as the Northwest Side. The Northwest Side includes significant economic diversity ranging from the rural communities of Catalina and parts of the town of Marana, to the affluent town of Oro Valley in the western foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, and residential areas in the northeastern foothills of the Tucson Mountains. The community of Casas Adobes is also on the Northwest Side, with the distinction of being Tucson's first suburb, established in the late 1940s. Casas Adobes is centered around the historic Casas Adobes Plaza (built in 1948). The Foothills Mall is also located on the Northwest Side.
Many of the Tucson area's golf courses and resorts are located in this area, including the Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort in Oro Valley, the Omni Tucson National Resort & Spa, and Westward Look Resort. Catalina State Park and Tortolita Mountain Park are also on the Northwest Side.
Music
Can't Find Anything To Do? Visit These Sites!
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Books
Carnegie Free Library -1900, now the childrens museum
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THE CITY OF TUCSON's Details
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TUCSON
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THE CITY OF TUCSON loves you! Posted at 7:19 AM Dec 8 view more
The Oldest City In The United States Still Rocking Since 1692
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Tucson (pronounced /'tusan/, Spanish: Tucsón) is the seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States, located 118 miles (188 km) southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles (98 km) north of the Mexican border. As of July 1, 2005, a Census Bureau estimate put the city's population at 515,526,[1] with a metropolitan area population at 946,362 as of 2006. In 2005, Tucson ranked as the 32nd-largest city and 52nd-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. It is the largest city in southern Arizona and the second largest in the state after Phoenix.
Major incorporated suburbs of Tucson include Oro Valley and Marana northwest of the city, South Tucson (surrounded by Tucson), and Sahuarita south of the city. Communities in the vicinity of Tucson (some within or overlapping the city limits) include Casas Adobes, Catalina, Catalina Foothills, Flowing Wells, Green Valley, Marana, Tanque Verde, New Pascua, and Vail.
The name Tucson originates via Spanish from the O'odham, Cuk son (pronounced [Tuk son]; roughly, "chuk shon"), meaning "Black Base," a reference to the mostly volcanic mountains on the west side of the city. The most notable of these mountains is Sentinel Peak, better known as "A Mountain" because it sports a large letter A in honor of the nearby University of Arizona, situated in west central Tucson. Tucson is sometimes referred to as "The Old Pueblo" or as us nighttimers call it, "The Naked Pueblo". TUCSON ROCKS!
Stone Avenue in Tucson, 1880
History Tucson was probably first visited by Paleo-Indians, known to have been in southern Arizona by about 12,000 years ago. Recent archaeological excavations near the Santa Cruz River have located a village site dating from 4,000 years ago. The floodplain of the Santa Cruz River was extensively farmed during the Early Agricultural period, circa 1200 BC to AD 150. These people constructed irrigation canals and grew corn, beans, and other crops while gathering wild plants and hunting animals. The Early Ceramic period occupation of Tucson saw the first extensive use of pottery vessels for cooking and storage. The groups designated by archaeologists as the Hohokam lived in the area from AD 600-1450 and are known for their red-on-brown pottery.
Jesuit missionary Eusebio Francisco Kino visited the Santa Cruz River valley in 1692, and founded the Mission San Xavier del Bac about 7 miles (12 km) upstream from the site of the settlement of Tucson in 1700. The Spanish established a presidio (fort) on August 18, 1775 and the town came to be called "Tucson." Tucson became a part of Mexico after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821. Following the Gadsden purchase in 1853, Tucson became a part of the United States of America. From August 1861, until mid-1862, Tucson was the capital of the Confederate Arizona Territory. Until 1863, Tucson and all of Arizona was part of the New Mexico Territory. From 1867 to 1879, Tucson was the capital of the Arizona Territory. The University of Arizona, located in Tucson, was founded in 1885.
By 1900, 7,531 people lived in the city. At about this time, the US Veterans Administration had begun construction on the present Veterans Hospital. Many veterans who had been gassed in World War I and were in need of respiratory therapy began coming to Tucson at this time, due to the clean dry air. The population increased gradually to 13,913 in 1910, 20,292 in 1920, and 36,818 in 1940. In 2006 the population of Pima County, in which Tucson is located, passed one million while the City of Tucson's population was 535,000.
During the territorial and early statehood periods, Tucson was Arizona's largest city and commercial area, whereas Phoenix was the seat of state government and agriculture. The establishment of Tucson Municipal Airport, the first in the world, increased its prominence. By the 1920s-30s, Phoenix outgrew Tucson and has continued to expand. Tucson has been growing but at a slower pace.
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Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show is held every year in February for two weeks. It is one of the largest gem and mineral shows in the world, and features many of the finest mineral specimens. There is no single location for display of minerals, but rather dozens of locations spread across town. The show has an estimated attendance of more than 50,000 people from over twenty countries. Attendees frequently include the general public, experts, beginning collectors, museum employees, dealers, retailers, and researchers. Many museums and universities, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Sorbonne, have displayed materials at the show.
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Tucson Folk Festival
For the past 21 years the Tucson Folk Festival has taken place the first Saturday and Sunday of May in downtown Tucson. In addition to nationally known headline acts each evening, the Festival highlights over 100 local and regional musicians on four stages in one of the largest free festivals in the country. Organized by the Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association, volunteers make this festival possible. Arizona's only community radio station KXCI 91.3-FM, is a major partner, broadcasting from the Plaza Stage throughout the weekend. In addition, there are numerous workshops, events for children, sing-alongs, and a popular singer/songwriter contest. Musicians typically play 30-minute sets, supported by professional audio staff. A variety of food and crafts are available at the festival, as well as local micro-brews. All proceeds from sales go to fund future festivals.
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Fourth Avenue Street Fair
There are also two Fourth Avenue Street Fairs, in December and March, staged between 9th Street and University Boulevard, that feature arts and crafts booths, food vendors and street performers. The fairs began in 1970 when Fourth Avenue, which at the time had half a dozen thrift shops, several New Age bookshops and the Food Conspiracy Co-Op, was a gathering place for hippies, and a few merchants put tables in front of their stores to attract customers before the holidays.
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The Tucson Rodeo (Fiesta de los Vaqueros)
Team Roping competition at
Tucson's Fiesta de los VaquerosAnother popular event held in February, which is early spring in Tucson, is the Fiesta de los Vaqueros,or rodeo week. While at its heart the Fiesta is a sporting event, it includes what is billed as the world's largest non-mechanized parade[citation needed]. The Rodeo Parade is a popular event as most schools give two rodeo days off instead of Presidents Day. The exception to this is Presidio High, which doesn't get either. Western wear is seen throughout the city as corporate dress codes are cast aside during the Fiesta. The Fiesta de los Vaqueros marks the beginning of the rodeo season in the United States. Fiesta de los Vaqueros, the premier event of the rodeo year, is held at the beginning of the rodeo season.
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Tucson Meet Yourself
Every October for the past 30 years, Tucson Meet Yourself has presented the faces of Tucson's many ethnic groups. For one weekend, dancing, singing, artwork, and food from more than 20 different ethnic heritages are featured in the Downtown area. All performers are from Tucson, in keeping with the idea of "meeting yourself".
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All Souls Procession
One of the largest festivals celebrated is the All Souls Procession, held since 1989 on the first Sunday in November. Modeled on the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), it combines elements of African, Anglo, Celtic, and Latin American culture. At sundown, thousands of people garbed in myriad costumes, mostly of the deceased, gather near the corner of Fourth Avenue and University Boulevard. In 2005, the Tucson Police Department estimated that 7,500 people participated in this event. The organization Many Mouths One Stomach (see website) hosted the gathering to acknowledge, mourn and celebrate deceased loved ones, and the "grand mystery" of death. Starting in 2006, the All Souls Procession became a weekend-long event.
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TUCSON's CITIZEN OF THE MONTH! Each month we will be recognizing Tucson's Citizen Of The Month.
Know Of Any One That Deserves To Be Recognize? Send Us A Brief Statement Why They Should Be Tucson's Citizen Of The Month!
This month's Citizen is, MHI Entertainment Group.
Rock! Latin! Country! R & B! Metal!
Jazz! Acoustic! Reggae! Rap! Comedy!
MHI Entertainment Group is a minority owned, organization based out of Arizona. Our artist development/consultation program is creative in promoting talent development and also Hispanic and Native American cultural awareness in our communities through music. Also bringing opportunities to those that complete the MHI Entertainment Group programs.
This MHI Entertainment Group supports the Music & Arts programs of Arizona. Creating objectives to promote the enhancement and enrichment of the quality of life for communities it serves throughout the state of Arizona. Giving opportunities to minorities that are looking for an outlet other than crime and gangs as well as working with those individuals who because of physical handicaps think there are no opportunities out there for them.
We are an organization driven by compassion and desire. We believe that every person has a hidden talent and it's our job to help that talent. This professional organization is operated by Executive Director -Marty Mendoza, This dedicated team has various job duties including identifying new clients. MHI Entertainment Group scouts talent by attending music seminars, nightclub, music venues, community centers, and school functions.
http://www.myspace.com/mhientertainment
Past Recipients
December 2008 -Tucson Underground The Magazine
November 2008 -Arizona Thunder Photography
October 2008 -Jadi Norris
September 2008 -Kailey Carranza
August 2008 -Bookmans
July 2008 -Calexico
June 2008 - The Historic Hotel Congress
May 2008 - Michael Gilbert Ronstadt
April 2008 - Andy Taylor
March 2008 - Voices For Children
February 2008 - Florencia Turco
January 2008 – Barry Sparks
December 2007 -Epic Cafe
November 2007 -Carla Turco
October 2007 -Gabriel Ayala
September 2007 -Scary Guy
August 2007 -Chief John W. Harris
July 2007 -Pablo Francisco
June 2007 -Veronica A. Leybas
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