At the 250th anniversary of Tucson's official founding on August 20, 1775, the city is now an environmentally attractive, if economically poor, major college town with a large military base onto which numerous rapidly growing suburban communities have been grafted. Tracing Tucson's history since the 1854 Gadsden Purchase brought Southern Arizona into the United States, this book's second edition contains significant updates and revisions including extensive coverage of the 2015-2024 period.

Tucson has a remarkable American history and this book describes many of its highs and lows including its longstanding ethnic diversity and racial divides, the contentious battle that secured the University of Arizona for the community, its important ceremonial traditions and social customs, and the significant challenges it faces going forward. Additionally, recollections of many of those who have helped make Tucson such a memorable place are included along with a review of the major accomplishments and shortcomings that Tucson has experienced since 1854.