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 chose the site on August 20, 1775; the old downtown courthouse stands near the spot of the original presidio w...

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

Sentinel Peak earned its everyday name, 'A' Mountain, after students built the 160-foot basalt 'A' in 1916 following a football win over Pomona Colleg...

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

'The Old Pueblo' traces to an 1880 telegram that called Tucson the 'ancient and honorable pueblo', a phrase 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

Tucson was territorial capital from 1867 to 1877; Prescott held it before and after, and Phoenix took over for good in 1889.