Maize (also known as corn) has long been a staple for people in the Americas. Did you know that modern-day Pima County is the site of some of the earliest known spots for corn cultivation? Just 60 miles outside of Tucson, archaeologists have found evidence in the form of kernels that are estimated to be around 4000 years old.

The view from downtown Tuscon is break taking for more than one reason. One that visitors sometimes find surprising is Sentinel Peak. The 2,897 foot mountain is to the southwest of the downtown area and is positioned along the Santa Cruz River. The earliest known inhabitants cultivated crops along the mountain’s base.

The 19th century was a heady time for rail transportation, and Tucson was right there in the mix. On 20 March, 1880, the first passenger train pulled into Tucson. Seen as a major event, it wasn’t just the populace and the Southern Pacific Railroad that hailed this event. The mayor, R.N. Leatherwood, made sure to let the world know.

People who love to spend evenings gazing at the stars will love Tucson. It’s considered one of the best places in the United States for all things connected with astronomy. With clear nights and some restrictions on the amount of outdoor illumination used in some areas of the city, engaging in stargazing is easy.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be in the belly of a snake, a trip to Tucson will satisfy your curiosity. Take a trip down Broadway Boulevard. There you will find a covered bridge that’s designed in the form of a huge metal snake. Specifically, it’s designed to conjure up images of a diamondback rattler.

A trip to Tucson must include a visit to the Desert O sculpture. At first glance, it looks like a huge plastic doughnut or an inner tube. In fact, there’s more to it than the appearance indicates. Found on West Alameda Street between El Presidio Park and the Tucson Museum of Art, the Desert O has been around since 2005.

There was a time when billboards marred the view in Tucson. That began to change in 1970. That was the year Jim Corbett, then mayor of the city, referred to the East Speedway Boulevard as the “ugliest street in America.” In the following years, efforts were made to limit the size and number of billboards, and to get rid of signage that was considered to be outside the scope of the city’s emerging regulations.

Tucson is home to the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, a facility that locals are proud to have in their midst. The base is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as possessing the largest aircraft repair shop on the planet. It’s also known to be the largest storage facility found anywhere on Earth.

As added proof that there’s still more about wildlife and the planet to learn, the area around Tucson was the site of the discovery of a new species. The event took place in 2013 in the nearby Santa Catalina Mountains, which are clearly visible from the downtown area. There, a new species of scorpion was found.

Cyclists will find plenty to do in Tucson. Along with being a cycle-friendly town, Tucson is host to one of the most significant events in the state. Held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the El Tour de Tucson attracts people from all over the Southwest and beyond.

Who was the founder of Tucson? Many attribute that honor to Hugo O’Conor, an Irishman who was a colonel in the Spanish army. While there were settlers in the area earlier, O’Conor is credited with creating a permanent setting that led to the founding of the city.