1853 Gadsden Purchase Added Southern Arizona (and Oro Valley) To The US

A war with mexico and then...

In 1848, the Mexican-American War ended with Mexico ceding nearly half of its territory in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to the United States; including what is now, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Colorado. 

 

The territorial boundary line in what is now Arizona was north of the Gila River (making the Tucson area part of Mexico). This restricted access to California via the established Mormon Battalion route which remained part of Mexico. Settlers in that area were often under attack and without protection.

...a purchase of land that includes Oro Valley 

President Franklin Pierce, sent James Gadsden, U. S. Minister to Mexico, to Mexico City to purchase additional land needed to connect the lower Mississippi to California. Initially, the parcel of land was to include all of Baja California and the Port of Guaymas on the Gulf of California.

 
With the looming conflict between the North and the South, the northern states were wary of the possible expansion of a southern route to the west which could strengthen the southern economy as well as expand slavery.

 
Gadsden had been given six boundary line proposals by the U. S. Senate with commensurate purchase prices to take to the Mexican government. Finally, in 1853, a compromise was reached in Congress, and the border was set to cross Arizona south of the Gila where it stands today. The Gadsden Purchase ($10,000,000) acquired all of New Mexico south of the 34th Parallel plus the land between New Mexico and California (now Arizona). The newly acquired land became the Territory of New Mexico and part of the United States. Arizona did not become its own territory until 1863.

Purchase accommodated building the rail roads

Gadsden did not believe the ratified treaty for the land was in the best interest of either the U. S. or Mexican governments. That being said, the Gadsden Treaty that was signed December 30, 1853, would add the needed territory to build the southern transcontinental railroad which in large part was the primary reason for the purchase.

 
Bringing commerce to Tucson and the surrounding region

Though Gadsden did not see the fruition of his efforts, the railroad lines that he envisioned did come to be. Between 1878 and 1881 the Southern Pacific Railroad built the southern transcontinental line between Yuma and El Paso. The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad linked to the port of Guaymas in Sonora, Mexico. All of these lines are within the Gadsden Purchase area and make it one of the busiest lines in the Western Hemisphere. Needless, to say it put Tucson and the greater Tucson area on the map and on the road to progress.

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This month visit the the Pusch House Museum to learn more about "Traditions, Toys and Trains"

Want to find out more about railroad lines in our area? Stop by the Pusch House Museum on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to Noon, December 3, 10, and 17 for the Oro Valley Historical Society’s new exhibit, “Traditions, Toys, and Trains”. The exhibit features familiar holiday traditions, the history of some of our favorite toys and local train history and the connection between trains and Christmas. Children can also drop off letters to Santa in our “special mailbox” on those dates AND on Saturday, December 17 from 10 to Noon, they can meet Father Christmas!

Alert: OVCN Sports Facility Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing Next Tuesday

David v Goliath

A most important public hearing is being held next Tuesday, December 6, by the Planning and Zoning Commission. It is a hearing on whether the character of the original section of Oro Valley will be completely blown up in favor of a church's desire to impose their will on that community. The hearing starts at 6pm in town council chambers. 

You can read all about the history here.  You can visit the town's project page here.

Residents are united in their opposition... Committed to preserving the community

The residents in the area are united. They do not want the facility built in their backyard. There is no compromise. They have formed the Concordia/Buena Vista Group. 

You may not live in the area of Buena Vista and Concordia. So we've embedded a video [panel right] that the Group created to show you what we are talking about.

Some of you may not even care. 

After all, this is not your backyard into which the field lights will shine... or the noise will blare.  This is not your street onto which the traffic will pour... or the cars will park...

But it is your town. And these are your neighbors. So, maybe you ought to get involved.

Church is resolute in its plan

The position of the applicant, the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene, is that these hearings are a formality. They believe that they are legally entitled to do whatever they wish with the property because it furthers their religious objective. Their plan: To partner with a "non profit" sports business to both build and to operate the facility. 

The Commission will hold an executive session prior to the hearing “…to obtain legal advice regarding the Oro Valley Church of The Nazarene rezoning application.”

Town staff wants compromise

The Town Planning and Zoning staff has been facilitating the meetings. As we have reported, however, staff has encouraged the residents to seek a compromise. Residents have rejected this. Instead they proposed a number of alternatives. For example, OVCN could build the facility elsewhere. The residents could buy the property. The land could be used to further religious purpose by becoming a nature preserve or, perhaps, a farm.

Planning and Zoning Commission hearing is yet another step in a long process

Next week's hearing is just another step in the process. The matter will be considered by the Oro Valley Town Council at yet another public hearing at a date to be determined.

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Get Involved: Shape Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve

One day left to give your input on Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve

You have until tomorrow to provide input into the future of the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. The town has completed community meetings. There have been four of them. The only opportunity for input remaining is a survey.  After that, a consultant will compile “results” and present recommendations to the Oro Valley Town Council.

Here are four reasons you should complete the survey.

This is not just another park

It’s a nature preserve. Because it was built as an 18-hole golf course, the land is a massive 203 acres filled with natural vegetation and wildlife. The town stated vision is for the Preserve to be place for a leisurely walk… for education… for attracting tourists. There are many ways to accomplish all of this.

You are going to pay for its creation and its upkeep

It is a beautiful piece of land that is in major disrepair. [panel right] The “fancier” the town makes it, the more it will cost and the more will be the cost of maintaining it. That maintenance cost will be yet another addition to a massively growing town parks and recreation budget. When all is said and done and Naranja Park comes on stream, the parks and recreation budget is going to increase substantially. The money to pay for that comes from the General Fund. The sales taxes you pay go into that fund. 

You might never use it

You will most certainly visit the nature preserve if you live near it.  Because of the location, however, it is not likely that you will use it otherwise. It simply isn’t convenient. Thus, you may want to limit the vision of what should reasonably be put on the property.

Survey input is light. Total community input is light

Only a few hundred surveys have been submitted to date. Because it’s a blind survey, you can submit the same survey as many times as you want. It is likely that most of the input regarding the future of the Preserve has come from those who live in the area of the Preserve.

This is going to be a total community funded adventure and you should make sure that your voice is heard.

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Council Appropriates $3.2 million More For Naranja Park Buildout

Council appropriated $3.2 million reserves for Naranja Park Buildout
On November 16, the Oro Valley town Council appropriated $3.2 million to “complete” the build out of Naranja park amenities. The approval is exactly what Town staff wanted and includes all of the value engineering changes town staff recommended.  In addition, the council earmarked $509,000 of development impact fees to cover the overrun.

Bond project items that will not be funded at the moment are detailed in our posting of November 16. These will be subject to “pay as you go” spending. 

Nicolson: Sports Tourism is "front and center"

One of the key areas considered by the Council was sports tourism. This concept was introduced to council by former Mayor Hiremath. Councilmembers Nicolson and Jones-Ivey want a world-class pump track that can be used for competition. They think that it will bring people from out of town who will stay in the hotels that have yet to be built. During the one hour discussion, Nicolson, focused only on the pump track. He spoke of nothing else. Clearly, Nicolson wants his pump track.

Musette Drive Connection from Tangerine

Barrett: Borrowing was a good deal when we did it

Vice mayor Barrett commented several times during the meeting to justify why borrowing money to finance the park was good idea. The town received a favorable interest rate on the $25 million in borrowing. The amount of funding to build out the amenities was estimated to be $33 million. Yes. The amount ballooned to well over $50 million, Barrett noted. 

Mayor Winfield claimed that there was no way to predict the overrun

According to Winfield, the original estimate was provided by an engineering firm. This is not the case. It was provided by a Parks Consultant. In addition, the council was advised on several occasion by Public Works Director Keesler that there were materials shortages and that costs were rapidly inflating. 

Solomon: Council ignored statistically valid survey regarding parks priorities

Councilmember Steve Solomon said the same thing that he has said every time this subject is on the agenda. His assertion is that the amenities that are being built don’t follow what people want because they don’t in any way sync with the statistically valid survey that the town did 18 months ago. No one asked for a skate park. Or a splash pad. Residents want trails. Solomon is correct. But that ship has sailed!

Bohen: Last election validates doing this

Councilmember Bohen pointed out that we had a recent election of four people. These are the same four people who proposed the bond. They were reelected. Obviously, the community felt they were doing the right thing.

Greene voted "no" but gave no reason

Councilmember Mo Greene did not vote for the measure. He did not state the reason why he voted “no” since he did not speak. Our guess is that he was caught off guard when Solomon voted in favor. Generally, Greene votes the way Solomon votes.

Winfield's "sleight-of-hand" succeeds

Mayor Winfield is giddy over the fact that Naranja Park is going to be completed. He achieved what former Mayors Paul Loomis and Satish Hiremath were not able to get done. Both Loomis and Hiremath proposed that the town issue bonds that would be paid via a secondary property tax.  Residents voted “no” on that. 

Winfield, on the other hand, circumvented the entire “property tax thing” by issuing a bond that will be serviced from the existing sales tax. A rather clever sleight-of-hand. Oh yes… Winfield and his council also abandoned the “pay as you go” funding for parks improvements. This is a policy that his council at one time affirmed and that all council’s have followed.  The reason that policy prevailed is that is unwise to borrow to fund “wants.”

The "thing in the punch bowl:" Town has no idea what it will cost to maintain Naranja Park

What is lost in all of this is what it is going to cost to maintain the new Naranja Park. Ongoing maintenance cost of the facility has never been considered by this Council  This despite the fact that town ordinances require estimating maintenance cost before committing to build any facility. That is simply smart fiscal management. It is important to know what it is going to cost to maintain a new facility because that cost is borne in future budgets.

Happy Thanksgiving... LOVE Returns Next Monday

 

Bits and Pieces

Fight identity theft:Free document shredding event tomorrow 

"The Town of Oro Valley, in partnership with AARP, will hold a free document shredding event for Oro Valley residents on Saturday, November 19 at the Oro Valley Marketplace (12155 N. Oracle Road), from 8 a.m. to noon or until trucks are full. Residents can bring up to five medium-sized boxes that will be shredded on-site. Shredding confidential documents helps fight identity theft. For questions related to this event, please contact Constituent Services Coordinator Jessica Hynd at jhynd@orovalleyaz.gov or 520-229-4711. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release) 

Oro Valley website economic development web site wins award from Arizona Association for Economic Development 

 ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (Nov. 14, 2022) – The Town of Oro Valley is pleased to announce that its new economic development website, chooseorovalley.com, was recently awarded a Golden Prospector award from the Arizona Association for Economic Development. The Golden Prospector awards were established to encourage and recognize excellence in economic development. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release) 

Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve safety improvements in progress

Vistoso Trails initial site cleanup including weed, invasive grasses and dead tree removal, trail accessibility and restoring restrooms to working condition is in the constuction pahse Significant work is required to ensure public safety and access. Through October, the Town has spent $130,067 (37% of budget) and is expecting to complete the project on budget ($350,000 from the Community Center Fund) at this time. The project has experienced delays due to pest infestation and an increased scope of work. (Source: 22-11-15 Town of Oro Valley Budget and and Finance Commission meeting) 

Westward Look Drive Improvements entering procurement phase. . . budget overrun expected 

As part of the Westward Look annexation, the town agreed to reconstruct Westward Look Drive from Ina Road to Vista Oest. This includes removing and replacing extruded curb, adjusting manholes and water valve covers. The budget for this project is $539,625 (General Fund. Through October, the Town has spent $50,107 (9% of budget) The design for this project is complete and the project is currently in the procurement phase. "The construction contract was awarded to Sunland Asphalt Company; however, at the request of the Westward Look Resort management and due to other title issues, construction has been significantly delayed. Due to the delay, the Town must now go out to bid again, which is expected to be higher than the original bid and exceed the budget by approximately $150,000." (Source: 22-11-15 Town of Oro Valley Budget and and Finance Commisssion meeting)

November Is Native American Heritage Month

A celebration

November is Native American Heritage Month, an annual celebration when we can all come together to honor and celebrate the cultures, traditions, history and contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

 
Proclamation

As President Biden stated in his Proclamation of October 31, 2022:

"During National Native American Heritage Month, we celebrate Indigenous peoples past and present and rededicate ourselves to honoring Tribal sovereignty, promoting Tribal self-determination, and upholding the United States’ solemn trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations. 

America has not always delivered on its promise of equal dignity and respect for Native Americans.  For centuries, broken treaties, dispossession of ancestral lands, and policies of assimilation and termination sought to decimate Native populations and their ways of life.  But despite this painful history, Indigenous peoples, their governments, and their communities have persevered and flourished.  As teachers and scholars, scientists and doctors, writers and artists, business leaders and elected officials, heroes in uniform, and so much more, they have made immeasurable contributions to our country’s progress.

Grown in importance over time

What started in the early 1900s as a day of recognition for the contributions of America’s first inhabitants has grown into a month designated to acknowledge their achievements and cultures. In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as the first National American Indian Heritage Month (now known as Native American Heritage Month).

574 federally recognized tribes

There are currently 574 federally recognized tribes, and Native Americans comprise about 2 % of the United States population. They account for over 10% of the population in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and South Dakota, and 20% in Alaska. 

 

22 in Arizona

Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, each with its own history, culture, and traditions. Nearly 30 percent of the land base in the state belongs to tribal nations and communities. The first reservation established in the state was the Gila River Indian Reservation south of Phoenix, in 1859, under U.S. government treaty authority. It is home to the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Pee-Posh (Maricopa) tribes.

 
Arizona contains the largest Indian Reservation in the United States, the Navajo Nation, established in 1868, which also extends into Utah and New Mexico. The reservation covers over 27,000 square miles. Nearly 200,000 members (Dine’) live on the reservation while the Navajo population is approximately 400,000 enrolled members.

 

Oro Valley has a rich Native American heritage

The land that is now Oro Valley was once used and maintained by Indigenous people. Before Spanish explorers, Mexican settlers, miners, and other European-Americans entered the Cañada del Oro Valley the land was occupied by numerous people. Seasonal hunting and food gathering camps from many hundreds of years ago were located along the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains and large villages were present near the Cañada del Oro.

 
The Romero Ruin in Catalina State Park was a large Hohokam village occupied for centuries. It is open to the public and has an interpretive trail that provides information about the inhabitants who lived there around 1000 years ago. Honey Bee Village was also a large Hohokam village, located near Rancho Vistoso Boulevard. The central portion of the village (13 acres) has been set aside as an Archaeological Preserve surrounded by residential development. It is also open to the public. A third large village, known as Sleeping Snake Village, was located near the foothills of the Tortolita Mountains. It was excavated in preparation for development of the Vistoso Golf Course that is now the Town of Oro Valley Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. A few petroglyphs remain near the trails.

 
These three large villages are considered ancestral villages by the Tohono O’odham. The Tohono O’odham Nation, the second largest reservation in Arizona, established in 1916, lies in the Sonoran desert west of Tucson although Oo’dham people historically lived throughout much of southern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico.

 

Certain place names in early Arizona history were derived from the O’odham language of the late 1600s and 1700s. Tucson came from Cuk son meaning “black base” (Black Mountain lies at the southern edge of Tucson). The state name, Arizona, is derived from “Al sonag” meaning “Place of the small spring”.
By the time Spanish explorers and then Mexican settlers entered the Tucson Basin there were apparently no O’odham settlements near the Cañada del Oro. The valley had become part of Apache raiding territory.

 
Apaches are culturally distinct from the Akimel O’odham and Tohono O’odham peoples who consider the Hohokam their ancestors. By the early 1700s nomadic Apaches (Ndee) had acquired horses from Spanish explorers and with them they developed raiding practices that became an important part of their economy. Mexican settlements and O’odham villages were frequent targets.

 
While under Mexican rule in the late 1700s and early 1800s military troops stationed in Tucson occasionally pursued Apache raiders north along the western edge of the Santa Catalina Mountains crossing the Cañada del Oro in what is now Oro Valley. The Cañada del Oro crossing played an important role in a number of raids among the Apaches, Tohono O’odham and the increasing number of Mexican and American settlers.

 
Most Apaches in the Cañada de Oro Valley were moved to the San Carlos Apache Reservation, established in 1872, although some were allowed to live freely in the San Pedro Valley. They hunted and farmed in the Oro Valley area until the first large ranches, including Romero, Sutherland, Pusch’s Steam Pump and San Pedro, were established. Soon afterward the transition to a livestock and ranching economy dominated by newly settled Americans was complete in southern Arizona and there was no longer a home for Apaches outside of established reservations. Today, little evidence remains of their historic use of Cañada del Oro Valley.

 
The Pascua Yaqui Tribe is located in the Tucson vicinity, however there is no material evidence that they lived or used the lands that are now part of Oro Valley. Their roots are in Sonora, Mexico and many still live there on reserved lands. Some migrated to Arizona in 1884 fleeing government persecution for their traditional agricultural lands. The Tribe received reservation status for a small parcel of land southwest of Tucson in 1964 and they were granted federal recognition in 1978.

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November is a special time to learn more about the legacy of native traditions and people as well as the important issues facing Indian country today. There are numerous events, museum exhibits, programs and lectures throughout the state honoring our first residents. In Oro Valley there is an exhibit devoted to Native American cultures in the Pusch House Museum at Steam Pump Ranch.