Happy 249th birthday, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. You don’t look a day over 245. 😉
Over the last 200 years, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has given us stunning sunsets, delicious food, sunny skies and a community and culture like no other.Â
In honor of the Old Pueblo’s birthday on Aug. 20, we’re sharing 15 interesting facts about our beloved city.
Thanks for being you, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. We â¤ï¸ you.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s name originates from a Tohono O’odham word
A monsoon storm cloud is caught in the sunset behind a stand of saguaros on the west side of Tumamoc Hill, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Ariz., August 10, 2023. The storm threw down some widely scattered rain, wind and lightning around metro ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
The name ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ comes from the Tohono O’odham word “S-cuk SÇ«n,†pronounced “Skuk-shone,†which means “spring at the base of the black mountain,†according to the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. Back then, the mountain they were referring to is what’s now known as Sentinel Peak.
“The arriving Spanish established the Presidio San AgustÃn del Tucsón fort on Aug. 20, 1775, using a spelling of this word that they had heard from the locals. This fort established what would become ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s modern-day downtown. Later, with the arrival of more settlers, the name ‘ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™ was used and has stuck ever since,†the Star reported.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is one of the only places where students get time off for a rodeo
Wyatt Casper rides Nutrena's Foul Motion out onto the arena, scoring 88 points during the finals in saddle bronc on at the Fiesta de Los Vaqueros ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Rodeo, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., February 26, 2023.
Many ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ transplants are surprised when they find out that local students usually get a two-day break from school for our local rodeo every February.
It’s not just elementary, middle and high school students who get the time off. Pima Community College students get the days off, too!
Also, the annual ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Rodeo Parade is the country’s largest non-motorized parade.
Stravenues are exclusive to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
Stavenues in the Pueblo Gardens, like E. Menor Stra. and S. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stra., are among the first stravenues in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
Stravenues, defined as “a street which runs diagonally between and intersects a street and an avenue†according to Pima County’s , can only be found in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
“Our records indicate the name is only found in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥,†the Star reported, citing a national spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service.
The U.S. Postal Service recognizes stravenues and uses the abbreviation STRA for the unique road name.
Currently, Pima County has around 40 stravenues.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ was home to the first skateboard park
Part of the Surf City ad in the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Citizen from Sept. 2, 1965.
Surf City, the “world’s first championship skateboard course,†opened in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on Sept. 3, 1965, according to the .
Surf City was located at 5140 E. Speedway (now home to the Shop-4-A-Cause thrift shop).
Professional skateboarder and the 1964 Women’s National Skateboard Champion Patti McGee was present for the grand opening of the skate park.Â
Building the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ wasn’t ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s first choice
The University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is a huge part of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, both physically and culturally.
But did you know that ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ didn’t even want to house a major university? That’s at least a folktale that’s been heard in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ over the last 100 years.
“As the story goes, the state’s land-grant university wasn’t ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s first choice at the 13th legislative meeting in 1885. Several territorial institutions were up for grabs, including a prison, a mental institution, a normal school and a university to teach agriculture, science and engineering,†according to the .
But because ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s representative, C.C. Stephens, was late to the meeting, the city lost out on other bids. Initially, community members were upset with the choice.
“Despite the initial upset, the university would open its doors to an inaugural class of 32 students in 1891,†according to the .
Notable UA alumni include Linda McCartney, Savannah Guthrie, John Hughes, Kristen Wiig and more.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ ties to the Civil War?
Here's a glimpse of what ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ looked like in 1862. This photo shows ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s original Cathedral of St. Agustin and the lost Placita de la Mesilla (now Viente de Agosto Park).
While an actual Civil War battle didn’t take place in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ (one actually did take place near  though), the Old Pueblo does have a tie to the Civil War.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ became occupied by Confederate forces in February 1862 until a group of Union troops arrived in the Old Pueblo in May 1862, leading to the evacuation of Confederate forces.
The Confederate forces only held ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ for about 80 days. After the Union arrived, they occupied ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ from their arrival in 1862 until 1865.
An interesting Twitter/X thread about this historical event can be found .
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is home to one of the largest temporary tattoo manufacturers in the U.S.
Victor Meza, press manager at TM International, pours an adhesive on the back of a strip of temporary tattoos on Sept. 14, 2009. The company, based in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, manufactures and sells temporary tattoos.
’s factory is located in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
The temporary tattoo manufacturer has produced temporary tattoos since 1989, with many of their products found in big-box stores like Walmart, Target and Hobby Lobby.
The company also creates custom temporary tattoos!
If temporary tattoos remind you of your childhood, you’ll be happy to know that ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is home to the Lisa Frank factory, too.
El Charro is the oldest Mexican restaurant in the country continuously run by the same family
Ray Flores Sr. and Chef Carlotta Flores, seated, of Flores Concepts and Si Charro restaurants pose for a portrait with their family at El Charro Restaurant, 311 N. Court Ave. in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on September 1, 2022.
El Charro — initially founded by Monica Flin in 1922 — is currently run by her great-grandniece Carlotta Flores. The restaurant is “the nation’s oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family,†according to their .
Since its start over 100 years ago, El Charro has opened new locations and added new restaurant concepts to its lineup including The Monica, Charro Vida,  Charro Chico and Charro Steak & Del Rey.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has a dark sky ordinance — making ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ night skies one of the darkest in the country
The International Space Station cuts through the night sky, from upper left to lower center, in a stacked image made more than 100 long exposure images on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018.
In 2012, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ updated its outdoor lighting codes to “preserve the relationship of the residents of the City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and Pima County, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ to their unique desert environment through protection of access to the dark night sky,†according to the . “Intended outcomes include continuing support of astronomical activity and minimizing wasted energy, while not compromising the safety, security and well-being of persons engaged in outdoor nighttime activities.â€
The codes were initially established in the early 1970s, but have since been revamped due to circumstances like LED lights becoming more common.
Because of the dark sky ordinance, “ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ supposedly has the darkest night skies of any city its size in the country,†the reported in 2013.
The United States Handball Association Hall of Fame is located in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
The Bob Kendler Trophy on display in the United States Handball Association's Hall of Fame on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011.
The is located in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ near Grant Road and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Boulevard. The location is also the headquarters of the association.
Visitors are able to learn about the history of the sport and the individuals who have impacted handball.
The U.S. Handball Association Hall of Fame is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment on the weekends.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Inn was created by Isabella Greenway, who would later become ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s first Congresswoman
The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Inn, 2200 E. Elm Street, was built in 1930 and designed by Merritt H. Starkweather. It has a pueblo revival and a colonial revival design. February 27, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Inn was founded in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in 1930 by Isabella Greenway.Â
Three years later, Greenway would become ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s first Congresswoman. She was in office from 1933 to 1937.
Another fun fact about Greenway: she was lifelong friends with Eleanor Roosevelt, according to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Inn’s . Photo proof below:
From left, Mrs. Mary Harriman Rumsey, New York millionaire, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and Rep. Isabella Greenway of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, at the Junior League Ball at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. in 1934.
Many movies were filmed in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
Actors Anthony Edwards, far right and Robert Carradine, center, stumble with their suitcases during a scene for the film, "Revenge of the Nerds." Annette Knapp, far left and Susan Schellmeyer, were extras who played the part of picnickers on the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. The movie was filmed on areas in and around the campus. Photo taken: January 30, 1984. Alan Dorow / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
There are too many movies filmed in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ to list here, but you can find our full list . Not to mention the hundreds of movies (and TV shows) that were filmed at Old ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Studios.
A few notable movies filmed here include “Can’t Buy Me Love,†“Revenge of the Nerds†and “Major League.â€
Some of the movies on the list are available to watch on streaming services!
Buffalo Exchange was founded in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in 1974
Elizabeth Ferrara looks through some dresses while shopping at Buffalo Exchange, 2001 E. Speedway Blvd., on August 26, 2020.
Resale fashion store Buffalo Exchange got its start right here in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ during the early 1970s.Â
Buffalo Exchange was founded by Kerstin and Spencer Block in a small 450-square-foot spot, according to their .
With the growing popularity of resale, Buffalo Exchange expanded. They now have over 40 locations throughout the U.S.
Kerstin (and her daughter Rebecca) continue to run the company today (still out of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥!).
There’s a telescope mirror lab underneath the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ football stadium
Mirror Lab staff review the glass placed in the mold, checking for space for the last view pieces of glass for Giant Magellan Telescope mirror five. From left, Randy Lutz, Britt Kayner and Pat Peak.
The University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is home to a lot of unique spaces, such as the inside the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Museum.Â
One of the more unique spaces is the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab, which is housed under the “east wing of the UA football stadium,†according to the university’s .
Currently, the lab is working toward completing mirrors for the Giant Magellan Telescope. So far, they have finished five of the seven mirrors for the project, according to the .
Notorious gangster John Dillinger was captured here
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ front page on events surrounding the capture of John Dillinger and his gang in January 1934.
This interesting fact is pretty well-known around here, but for those of you who don’t know: John Dillinger, the notorious gangster, was captured in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in 1934.
Dillinger and his gang were in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in an attempt to evade federal law enforcement. After a fire at Hotel Congress, which led to the capture of his accomplices, Dillinger was arrested at a home on Second Avenue.
“Reportedly, upon his arrest, Dillinger said, ‘Well, I’ll be damned,’†.
Have any interesting ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ fun facts you want us to look into? Send us an email at thisistucson@tucson.com.