
	HOME	HISTORY from Spanish, & Mexican to American governments Father Kino	DESERT CITY Tucson, 'The Old Pueblo,' settled by Indian tribes, founded by Spanish explorers	A CULTURAL MIX Indians, Mexican and Anglos make the Tucson mix	ENJOYING THE WILDERNESS Visit the canyons and mountains of the Sonoran Desert	LIFESTYLES Living in Tucson, the outdoor life

SEE: • Congress Hotel • Neighborhoods & Barrios

TUCSON, THE OLD PUEBLO...
Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and Old West combine to
make this a most unique American city.

Often voted one of the best cities in America Tucon's mix of modern and
vintage southwestern cultures makes it an exciting city live in or visit.

	The city sits in a high desert valley surrounded by four majestic mountain ranges

In the heart of downtown, century-old adobe homes, graceful Victorian mansions, and sleek modern office buildings stand side by side. Museums, galleries, and an array of restaurants make it easy to explore the city’s culture and flavor on foot.

Left: Standing in elegant contrast to Tucson’s modern skyline, the Pima County Courthouse—designed by Roy Place in 1928—features classic Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.

PIMA COUNTY HISTORIC COURTHOUSE

Pima County Courthouse Tucson Arizona.

Downtown also features the city's major performing arts events, provided by the Tucson Convention Center and the Temple of Music and Art presenting the main venues for opera, symphony and dance performances.

Tucson’s downtown has evolved into the city’s entertainment hub, featuring fewer offices and more restaurants, along with a modern streetcar that brings in crowds from across the area.

Like many cities around the world, Tucson has seen its traditional architecture give way to modern development. In the 1960s, a wave of progress swept through the city, and early barrios built by Mexican settlers were threatened. Much of downtown Barrio Viejo was flattened to make room for a barnlike convention center, erasing layers of history in a single stroke. Yet out of that loss came awareness: today, Tucson is increasingly committed to protecting and celebrating the stories, colors, and culture that have shaped its unique past.

Benedictine Monastery

Built in the 1940s, the Benedictine Monastery served as a serene convent and chapel for the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, who lived and worked there for many decades. The Sisters’ presence became a quiet landmark in Tucson’s spiritual life. In 2016, facing an aging community and declining vocations, the order announced the monastery’s closure. The property was purchased by a developer the following year. Nearly a decade later, in 2025, new life returned to the historic chapel when concert promoters announced plans to open La Rosa, a music venue that will blend the site’s architectural grace with a new cultural purpose.

THE CONGRESS HOTEL

Tucson’s Hotel Congress is a living piece of the Old West, standing proudly amid a world of cookie-cutter chain hotels. Since opening in 1919, it has seen it all—including the infamous 1934 capture of John Dillinger’s gang. Today, the hotel buzzes with life as a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike, featuring a lively restaurant, bar, and music venue that keeps its legendary spirit alive.

Arrested at the Congress in 1934

Tiger's Taproom, many years of happy hours.

The ranch was later used as a shooting location for Duel in the Sun starring Gregory Peck and Jennifer Jones.

HACIENDA DEL SOLA, A TIMELSS SOUTHWEST HACINDA IN THE CATALINA FOOTHILS

Nestled at the base of the Catalina Foothills, Hacienda Del Sol was born in 1929 as a desert retreat and girls’ ranch school—a serene “home away from home” where the beauty of the Southwest inspired learning and leisure. By 1948, it had transformed into a glamorous guest ranch, drawing the glittering stars of Hollywood. Legends like John Wayne, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, and Katharine Hepburn walked its sun-drenched courtyards and strolled among its adobe walls, making Hacienda Del Sol a place where the spirit of the Old West met the golden age of cinema.

FAMOUS RESORTS
For the winter visitor, Ventana Canyon is just one of the many modern Tucson resorts

BARRIOS & NEIGHBORHOODS

Tucson’s barrios are living reminders of the city’s deep Mexican-American heritage. Barrio Viejo, one of the oldest districts, showcases the largest collection of 19th-century adobe architecture in the U.S., with narrow streets and colorful homes that whisper stories of the past.

LOST FOREVER

Though the northern half of Barrio Viejo was swept away in the 1960s to make room for a sprawling convention center, the surviving streets have been lovingly restored, preserving the charm and character of the neighborhood. Other historic barrios, like Barrio Santa Rosa, continue to celebrate Tucson’s Hispanic urban and architectural traditions, blending history with the rhythms of modern city life.

Colorful and rustic restored adobe casas

A city of neighborhoods

Many of the neighborhoods built after WW2 feature local parks and well kept homes.

LAWN MOWERS?

While many desert communities in the Southwest feature lush green lawns most
Tucson property owners choose a low water native desert landscape.

A cool drink during the hot summer, many gardners provide help for local wildlife

MOUNTAIN FOOTHILLS LIVING

Away from the bustle of the city, the soaring peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains provide a scenic backdrop for over 50,000 residents. The Catalina Foothills have their own distinct vibe, offering upscale shopping and dining that serve as an appealing alternative to downtown living.