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Tucson is an ancient city. With its original settlement by Paleoindian and Archaic hunters and gatherers dating back nearly 12,000 years, it is one of the oldest towns in the US. Hugh O'Conor established the Tucson Presidio in 1775 on the site of an Indian village called Stook-zone (water at the foot of black mountain), and this is considered Tucson's "official" birthday. Spanish settlers arrived a year later. With the Gadsden Purchase of 1854, it became part of the United States and served as capital of the Arizona Territory from 1867 to 1877.

Tucson's cultural heritage includes Spanish, Mexican, and Native American influences. The city has flown the flags of three different countries and both sides in the Civil War, although the battles between settlers and the Apaches prevented its taking part in that conflict.

Tucson honors its diversity, and its own traditions evolve with each new influx of immigrants. It has always attracted visionaries, opportunists and free thinkers.

The discovery of gold in California brought an influx of Easterners to the area, but it wasn't until the US purchased the land from Mexico in order to lay a southern rail route that the population really began to swell. In 1867 Tucson was connected to the rest of the world, and began marketing itself as a sunshine state. In 1912 Arizona became the 48th of the United States of America.

With its relaxed attitude, the natural beauty that it preserves, and cultural activities, such as the Symphony, Arizona Opera Company, Arizona Theater Company, and the Museum of Art, retirees find Tucson a rewarding place to live. It boasts the best of both worlds: the progress and innovation of a metropolitan community coupled with small-town friendliness and concern for people.

Tucson has much to offer its residents and visitors alike. It is home to the Optics Valley, a premier health-services center, the world's astronomy center, and a premier research and industrial center.