Tucson

Bartlett on Tucson:

July 17th [1852]...Tucson is the most northern town in Mexico, and a very old place. It is found on the oldest maps, and is referred to by the early missionaries. It has always been, and is to this day, a presidio or garrison; but for which the place could not be sustained. In its best days it boasted a population of a thousand souls, now diminished to about one third that number. It stands on the plateau adjoining the fertile valley watered by the Santa Cruz River...In addition to the river alluded to, there are some springs near the base of a hill a mile to the west of the town, which furnish a copious supply of water. Near these is a hamlet, and a large hacienda, which in former times must have been very rich. It is now in a decayed state, and but a small portion of its fine lands are cultivated. This hacienda is seen in the foreground of the annexed sketch of Tucson.

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