Walking Tour from the Presidio to Mission Gardens

With local historian Ken Scoville founder and director of Old Pueblo Tours. Discover Territorial Tucson with a walking tour from the Presidio Museum to Mission Garden.  This tour will use photographs, maps, and George Hand’s Saloon Diary  to visit many of the vanished locations of the Old Pueblo in the 19th century. 

Imagine that it is May in Territorial Tucson.  The Old Pueblo has a population of about 3,300 and everyone knows that the long summer is fast approaching.  We are new arrivals having just arrived at the Overland Stage stop last night and were able to get rooms at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.  Levin’s Park and Brewery was close by for quick refreshments before going to bed.  This morning we will walk around town to see the sights.  The courthouse is a prominent building on Court Plaza and just a few years ago there was a public hanging just to the west of the building.  We were told that Zeckendorf’s Mercantile is a great place to shop while some of us might look for some diversions on Maiden Lane.  The other major plaza is Church Plaza with the only cathedral in town.  The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet have a convent just next door. Some of us might like some additional refreshments at Charlie Brown’s saloon before we continue to Carrillo Gardens  to see the lake and flowering landscape.  Our final stop will be the abandoned convento building and Sentinel Peak.  

Ken Scoville is one of Tucson's leading historians and preservationists.  His detailed knowledge of Tucson's historic buildings and locales has been tapped repeatedly to help guide the development and planning of downtown.  He provides knowledge of past places and people who have contributed to our culture and heritage.    The walk will be about 1 1/2 miles.  Ken will lead you on an adventure travel through time as you walk from the Presidio, across the Santa Cruz and over to the Mission site and Mission Gardens.  Please wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen.  Bring water and a snack.  At the end of your walk we encourage you to visit La Cocina across from the Presidio, for lunch. 

Leaves from the Presidio at 8:30 am 

Tickets: $25 per person.  $10 of your ticket price will go to Presidio Museum and $10 to the Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace.  21st century refreshments will be available at the current Mission Garden with your ticket price.