photo: Phoenix Michael
To visit downtown’s El Presidio neighborhood is to discover that this is, in fact, where it all began. We needn’t consult musty tomes to explore El Presidio’s storied history since here it has been preserved, cherished and carried into the present day. From West 6th Street to West Alameda Street and North Stone Avenue to North Granada Avenue, Tucson’s oldest neighborhood has aged gracefully. Familiarize yourself with its many offerings!
As one of the nation’s oldest continually inhabited sites, it stands to reason that the El Presidio Historic District is home to the oldest continuously family owned Mexican restaurant in the United States. The venerable El Charro Café, 311 N. Court Ave., receives rave reviews (Gourmet Magazine, USA Today) with good cause. Native corn, the signature Pico de Charro and uniquely flavorful sauces such as prickly pear infused BBQ continue to delight diners after nearly 90 years in operation. El Charro’s La Tiendita gift shop will also please your out-of-town visitors. Call 622-1922 or see ElCharroCafe.com to plan a feast of fiesta-size proportions.
Even among revitalized downtown’s many success stories, Old Town Artisans stands out. This cluster of shops at 201 N. Court Ave. is housed within adobe walls constructed in the 1850s. Native American paintings, pottery and jewelry beg to be taken home from La Zia while world imports await at Tolteca Tlacuilo. Enjoy eclectic edibles at La Cocina Restaurant & Cantina’s tranquil courtyard where a small grocery, Tu Cocina, also opened last month. Weekly events at La Cocina include Greg Morton’s bluegrass happy hour Fridays 6-10 p.m., jazz with Elephant Head Wednesdays 6-8:30 p.m. and DJ Herm’s Dance! Dance! Dance! party Saturdays 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Find directions and details at OldTownArtisans.com and LaCocinaTucson.com.
A stroll through Presidio San Agustín del Tucson at 133 W. Washington St. is an enjoyably educational eye-opener. This meticulously recreated Spanish fort is built directly upon its original 1775 location and includes a mural by Bill Singleton & Sons depicting early Presidio life. “I’ve always loved history,” Tucson Presidio Trust docent Jean Baxter says as we gaze upon a centuries-old open Hohokam pit house and are struck by the impact of humanity’s rapid evolution. Male volunteers are sought to portray 18th century soldiers in the Presidio’s regularly-occurring Living History Days; call Rick Collins at 837-8119 if interested. On December 17 from 6-9 p.m., a luminaria festival featuring Spanish colonial food, storytelling and period craft making will be held. Learn more at TucsonPresidioTrust.org.
No El Presidio tour would be complete without an afternoon at The Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave. Current exhibitions such as “Han and Beyond - The Renaissance of China: The James Conley Collection” and “Art of Latin America” are well worth the price of admission. Wednesday, December 7 at 1:30 p.m., an Art Talk series presents “The Art and Architecture of Mission San Xavier Del Bac” in the Education Center Auditorium; TMA’s Museum Store carries many excellent gift items and is even open on Christmas Eve! TucsonMuseumOfArt.org has hours, parking tips and youth program information.
Additional El Presidio attractions include the tasty bagel dogs of Arizona Bagel & Deli at 177 N. Church Ave., the row of mouthwatering mansions along North Main Avenue which pioneer folk once dubbed Snob Hollow, and the Alene Dunlop Smith Garden at 312 N. Granada Ave. A historic block consisting of the J. Knox Corbett House, La Casa Cordova, the Edward Nye Fish House, the Romero House and the Stevens/Duffield House makes for a pleasant self-guided walking tour while El Presidio Bed & Breakfast Inn at 297 N. Main Ave. takes care of all guests.
In 2012, El Presidio Historic District continues to celebrate its heritage with the opening of Centennial Park at 198 N. Main Ave. Here, on what was once the well-traveled El Camino Real (The King’s Highway), a pocket park will commemorate 100 years of Arizona statehood. This officially designated Arizona Centennial Legacy Project will transform a vacant lot into a meaningful monument. Feeling supportive? Buy a brick or otherwise get involved at CentennialParkTucson.org and AZCentennial.gov. Forward, then! Let our future be informed by our most valuable resource: our past.
