Q 01/05

In which year was the Presidio San Agustín del Tucsón, which founded Tucson, authorized?

A) 1783

B) 1821

C) 1775

D) 1854

Answer · why

C) 1775

Irish-born Spanish officer Hugo O'Conor picked the site on August 20, 1775; the present downtown Pima County Courthouse stands near the spot.

Q 02/05

The name Tucson comes from the O'odham phrase Cuk Ṣon. How is it commonly translated into English?

A) the base of the hill is black

B) the place of many springs

C) the valley of the tall grass

D) where the two rivers meet

Answer · why

A) the base of the hill is black

Cuk means "(be) black" and Ṣon refers to the base of something, describing the dark basalt hill just west of downtown.

Q 03/05

A giant whitewashed 'A' for the University of Arizona sits on which hill west of downtown?

A) Tumamoc Hill

B) Wasson Peak

C) Pusch Ridge

D) Sentinel Peak

Answer · why

D) Sentinel Peak

Students built the 160-foot-tall basalt "A" in 1916 after a football win over Pomona College, giving the hill its everyday name, "A" Mountain.

Q 04/05

Tucson is commonly known by which nickname?

A) The Copper City

B) The Old Pueblo

C) The Sun City

D) The Desert Gateway

Answer · why

B) The Old Pueblo

It traces back to an 1880 telegram calling Tucson the "ancient and honorable pueblo," which newspapers shortened over time.

Q 05/05

Tucson served as capital of the Arizona Territory during which years?

A) 1867–1877

B) 1856–1863

C) 1877–1889

D) 1889–1912

Answer · why

A) 1867–1877

Prescott held the capital before and after Tucson's decade; Phoenix took over for good in 1889.