ARIZONA - When exploring the deep history of the Grand Canyon State, the timeline leads south to the Sonoran Desert and the city of Tucson. Established in 1775, it holds the title of the oldest European settlement in Arizona, pre-dating the American Declaration of Independence.
The Founding: August 20, 1775
Tucson's origins as a modern city are military in nature, tied to the northern expansion of New Spain.
- The Presidio: On August 20, 1775, Hugo O'Conor, an Irish mercenary serving the Spanish crown, selected a site for a new military fort. He named it the Presidio San Agustín del Tucsón.
- The Purpose: The fort was built to protect the mission at nearby San Xavier del Bac and to defend settlers from Apache raids. A massive adobe wall was constructed to enclose the garrison and the families living there, forming the nucleus of what is now downtown Tucson.
Indigenous Roots
While 1775 marks the European founding, the Santa Cruz Valley is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in North America. The area was the ancestral home of the Hohokam people, who farmed the river valley for over 4,000 years, building extensive irrigation canals that are still studied by engineers today. By the time the Spanish arrived, the region was inhabited by the Tohono O'odham (meaning "Desert People"), who called the area Cuk Ṣon (pronounced "Chuk Shon"), meaning "at the base of the black hill." The Spanish corrupted this name into "Tucson."
A Technical Distinction: Tubac vs. Tucson
There is often a debate between Tucson and the nearby village of Tubac.
- Tubac's Claim: Tubac was established as a Presidio in 1752, making it 23 years older than Tucson.
- The Verdict: While Tubac is the oldest European settlement, it was temporarily abandoned several times due to Apache attacks and lack of support. Tucson, on the other hand, has been continuously inhabited since its founding in 1775. Furthermore, Tubac is currently an unincorporated census-designated place, whereas Tucson is a major incorporated city.
Settlement vs. Incorporation
Tucson remained a walled Mexican outpost until the Gadsden Purchase of 1854 brought it into the United States. It was officially incorporated as a city in 1877. This makes it older than the state capital, Phoenix, which was not settled as a townsite until 1867 and incorporated in 1881.
Tucson is the oldest city in Arizona, founded as a Spanish Presidio on August 20, 1775. Its name is derived from the O'odham name Cuk Ṣon. The region has a 4,000-year history of agriculture by the Hohokam and Tohono O'odham peoples. While the settlement of Tubac (1752) is technically older, Tucson holds the title of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the state.
Sources
- City of Tucson. "History of Tucson."
- Presidio San Agustín del Tucsón Museum. "Presidio History."
- Visit Tucson. "Tucson History & Heritage."
- Arizona State Parks. "Tubac Presidio State Historic Park."
- Tohono O'odham Nation. "History and Culture."