Tucson History

El Presidio Historic District

Walking Tours of Downtown

Your guide, dressed in authentic period costume, reveals Tucson's history by telling the stories of the people and places that frequented the areas of downtown that you visit on this tour, making history come alive. Bette Richards is a curator assistant at the Sosa Carrillo Fremont House Museum and has trained numerous tour guides and docents.

Presidio: Tour the area where the Spanish first built their presidio (fort) in 1776. See the reconstruction of the presidio tower and hear the stories of these first Anglo settlers of Tucson. This tour includes the mansions of Main Street, built around 1900; the homes of pioneers Sam Hughes, Hiram Stevens, Edwin Fish, the Steinfeld house, and Casa Cordova; and Tucson's oldest shopping area, Old Town Artisans. The tour usually takes about 2 hours and varies depending on attendees' interests.

Barrio Viejo: Tour the area of old 1800s' adobe homes and row houses common to early Tucson and Sonora, Mexico, including El Tiridito Shrine, Teatro Carmen, some of Tucson's favorite murals, Chinese groceries, and the site of one of Tucson's most horrendous crimes. This neighborhood had the town's first public park at Carrillo's Gardens. Tour includes Sosa Carrillo Fremont House and La Pilita museums when they are open. Many of the old adobe homes have been renovated and are occupied.

Shady Lady: Your own shady lady tour guide will show you where the early red light district of Tucson was, including Maiden Lane and Gay Alley. You will hear the stories of the ladies of the night and their customers, as well as the police who looked over them. Learn the interesting stories of Anna Charaleau, George Hand, and Jesus Camacho.

• Attendees: 4 min./25 max.
• Length: 2 hours
• Contact: Bette Richards 

Arizona Historical Society 
949 E. 2nd St., Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 940-7225

Historic Block Walking Tour

From Gadsden to Gatsby

On this half-day walking tour of the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, discover the varied architectural styles found in the area. Along Main Avenue in Tucson's first neighborhood, the El Presidio Historic District, view Sonoran row houses, bungalows, and homes combining Spanish colonial and prairie elements. Also tour the interior of the 1907 mission revival style J. Knox Corbett House and visit the Palice Pavilion for a glimpse of Art of the Americas. Afterward, spend time shopping at the Museum Shop, or stay longer at Café à la C'Art or another downtown eatery.

Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block 
140 N. Main Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 624-2333
education@tucsonmuseumofart.org, http://www.tucsonmuseumofart.org

Historic Train Depot

Southern Arizona Transportation Museum Tour

The first passenger train arrived in Tucson on March 20, 1880, and the Southern Pacific Railroad quickly took hold, becoming a leading employer in the area. The railroad also brought numerous cultural changes. Suddenly the 10-day stage ride to San Francisco was only two days by train. Tucson was no longer a town cut off from the rest of the country by virtue of inaccessibility.

Visit the historic train depot in Tucson and experience this exciting history. Enter Locomotive #1673 for a close and personal look at this treasure that was almost lost. Learn about the 1882 depot incident involving Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp and take your picture next to their life-size bronze statues. Listen to audio of railroad stories, see a 1907-era depot diorama, and learn how the railroad changed Tucson forever.

• Attendees: 1 min./150 max.
• Length: 1.5 hours
• Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.;
  Fri. and Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Contact: Laura Caywood Barker, Museum Director

Southern Arizona Transportation Museum 
414 N. Toole Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 623-2223

Roll with it! Segway Guided Tours

Travel Through Tucson's History

Jump on a self-balancing, battery-powered Segway PT from Roll with it! for an unparalleled sightseeing experience! With insightful commentary provided by a professional guide, you'll glide right up alongside Tucson's greatest landmarks! After graduating from training, you'll head out to the unique sites of downtown Tucson. (Roll with it! provides training on how to ride a Segway before departing on either of its tours.)

The Presidio Trail: A Historical Guided Segway Tour of Downtown Tucson

Start at Historic Fourth Avenue shopping district-six blocks of unique window displays and over 100 shops, specializing in everything from antiques to custom-made furniture to Mexican imports. Then stop at The Historic Railroad Depot where a life-size sculpture of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday marks the 1882 incident ending in the death of Frank Stilwell near the first depot. Stop for unforgettable views of "A" Mountain and continue to Presidio San Agustin de Tucson-the adobe fort which was the beginning of Tucson. Admire Barrio Viejo Streetscape-adobe buildings built in the late 1800s.

Shake, Rattle & Roll Segway Tour

Start at Historic Fourth Avenue shopping district-six blocks of shops, specializing in everything from antiques to custom-made furniture. Then to Iron Horse district-a village bustling with Southern Pacific rail employees in the mid to late 1800s. Cross the unforgettable Rattlesnake Bridge. Stop by Pie Allen, where some of the oldest adobe architecture, eccentric Victorians, and artistic bungalows can be found. See the West University District with its front porches filled with flowers in this luxurious area. Keep your eyes peeled for giant Saguaro Cacti, which can live to be 200 to 300 years old!  Finally, you'll delight in a milkshake at a Tucson landmark and restaurant, Delectables, famous for its atmosphere.

• Attendees: 2 min./20 max.
• Length: 2-2.25 hours
• Contact: Denise Russell

Roll with it! Segway Guided Tours
(520) 749-5325
tours@tucsonrollwithit.com
www.tucsonrollwithit.com