Lecture: Tucson’s Territories & Other Oddities – Sept 18, 7 pm

Once Southern Arizona became part of the United States in 1854, Tucson was the largest settlement in the region until statehood in 1912. During those 58 years, Tucson was part of three territories as well the site of many unusual events. A giant sea serpent visited in the 1890s as did a few round-the-world bicyclists, including a woman rider. At the same time, the community’s population was diversifying as Chinese, African-Americans, and Yaquis joined the Tohono O’odham, Mexican Americans, and European Americans who already resided in the community. Author David Devine will provide an overview of the territorial period and include stories both serious and light-hearted.