Today is Tucson’s birthday!! Happy Birthday to The Old Pueblo!

The history of Tucson, Arizona, begins thousands of years ago but officially dates back to August 20, 1775 when Hugo O’Conor establishes the Tucson Presidio. This year marks the official birthdate of the City of Tucson. Tucson becomes part of Mexico when it fights for independence in 1821. After the Gadsden Purchase in 1854, Tucson falls under the jurisdiction of the United States.

Arizona becomes an official territory in 1863. Between 1867 and 1877, Tucson holds the title of territorial capitol. In 1880, the Southern Pacific Railroad reaches Tucson. The population reaches 8,000.

Arizona became the 48th state in the Union in 1912. By 1950 Tucson’s population has reached 120,000 and by 1960 it nearly doubled to 220,000. 

Tucson becomes the 33rd largest U.S. city in 1990 as its population tops 400,000.

So happy birthday to our home. Raise a glass. Bake a cake. Gaze at the sunset. Whatever you do, enjoy this day, Tucson’s birthday!

Carol Fenn 8-2018

The image of the milkman delivering bottles of milk to the front door is forever etched on the mind of most people. But such deliveries are a thing of the past almost everywhere. Perhaps this is why so many have a fondness for milk bottles. These nostalgic bottles vary greatly in style, size, etc. This makes for a fun treasure hunt and if you come into the Midtown Mercantile Merchants Mall at 4443 E. Speedway you just might find a bottle or two.

Those who have been bitten by the milk bottle collecting bug will find many examples to add to their collection. There is a vast array of different sizes, shapes, and colors. There are related bottles as well, such as those produced to hold cream or cottage cheese.

The number of different dairies is too many to count. Most collectors specialize. Many focus on a particular dairy, or dairies within a particular geographical area. Such as Tucson, or Arizona. Rumors are that at one time Tucson had over forty active dairies so there are lots of bottles out there waiting to be found! Other than location, some collectors search out only cream-top bottles or bottles with a particular design – such as cows, clover leafs, human faces, or dairy barns.

Common milk bottles can be found for anywhere from $5 to $25. The prices go up from there. It’s not unusual to see milk bottles with price tags of $50, $100, and a whole lot more.

So put on your treasure-huntin’ shoes and get out there and grab some of these fantastic little pieces of history.

Carol Fenn 3-2017