Tucson, Arizona History: The American Southwest
The history of Tucson, Arizona begins somewhere around 12,000 years ago when paleo-Indians first started frequenting the area. Several tribes called this area home for the thousands of years before the Spanish set up missions in the area. Of course, the most well-known historical period in the Southwest is the frontier period of the US and that begins in 1821 when Tucson became part of Mexico after the Mexicans gained independence.
Joining the US
Tucson would not become a part of the United States of America until 1853. It would effectively remain outside of American control until 1856, when the first US military garrison moved into the area. Over much of the 19th century, Tucson and the area around it were fought over by the United States government and the Apache Indians. Tucson would also end up being part of the Confederate Arizona Territory until the Confederates were booted out of Arizona by the Californians.
Growth and the 20th Century
Tucson didn’t really start to explode in population until the 20th century. Tucson is famous for its dry desert climate and, following World War I, it became a destination for soldiers who had suffered damage to their lungs due to gas attacks during the Great War. Tucson would continue to gain in popularity over the 20th century but, between the years 1910 and 1920, it became the second-largest city in Arizona as Phoenix grew faster.
Today
Today, the University of Arizona, many of the most vital businesses in the state and a thriving community are all located in Tucson, Arizona. Over the years, it’s been part of Spain, Mexico, New Mexico, the Confederate States of America, a US territory and finally the state of Arizona. Tucson, Arizona currently enjoys one of the fastest growing populations in the United States. It’s particularly popular because of its incredibly mild winters, which are appealing to people who come from more northern climes.
