A History of the Santa Cruz River

115 N. Church Avenue,Tucson AZ 85701

18 November, 2021

Description

Travel back in time in this presentation by one of the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson's Board Members about the famous Santa Cruz River. The Santa Cruz River was the lifeblood of Tucson for early Native Americans, the Spanish Conquistadores and early American settlers. It saw many changes over the years, from floods to droughts eventually becoming dry most of the year as the water table dropped. It also became a neglected trench and trash heap. Community leaders envisioned something better. By the early 1970s, the Army Corps of Engineers was studying the feasibility of channeling the river and creating a park and in1977, work began. Mauro Trejo's professional experience is in hospitality management and he is currently the General Manager at Hilton’s Home2Suites. Mauro is a 7th generation Tucsonan descending from Elias’s and Gallegos. He has a passion for local history and has poured over the Tucson “classics” to learn as much as possible. Before becoming a Presidio Trust Board Member he volunteered as a docent and Turquoise Trail tour guide (which he still does), becoming one of their most knowledgeable. The Pima County Historic Courthouse is among Tucson’s most beloved landmarks. Designed by architect Roy Place, this iconic Spanish Colonial Revival-styled structure was built in 1929 and remained in service for an 86-year span during which time it served as the backdrop for numerous wedding proceedings and became home to several County departments.