The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
18th century
1732 – Mission San Xavier del Bac founded by Jesuits near present-day Tucson. 1776 – Presidio San Augustin del Tucson (military outpost) established. 1779 – December 6: First Battle of Tucson. 1782 May 1: Second Battle of Tucson. December 25: Third Battle of Tucson (1782). 1784 – March 21: Fourth Battle of Tucson, Sonora, New Spain.
19th century
1846 – December 16: Capture of Tucson, Sonora, Mexico, by United States forces. 1848 – Population: 760. 1853 – Territory becomes part of the United States per Gadsden Purchase. 1856 – August 29: Conference held to organize Arizona Territory. 1857 – San Antonio-San Diego Mail Line in operation. 1862 February: Tucson occupied by Confederate forces. May 20: Capture of Tucson by Union forces. 1863 – Tully, Ochoa & Co. merchandisers in business. 1866 – L. Zechendorf & Co. merchandisers in business. 1867 – Tucson becomes capital of Arizona Territory. 1869 – St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church built. 1870 Arizona Citizen newspaper begins publication. J.S. Mansfield news depot in business. 1872 Public School department organized. Population: 3,500 (estimate). 1873 San Diego-Tucson telegraph begins operating (approximate date). Fort Lowell built near Tucson. 1875 – Estevan Ochoa elected mayor. 1876 – Pie Allen becomes mayor. 1877 – Town incorporated. 1878 – El Fronterizo newspaper begins publication. 1879 Arizona Daily Star newspaper begins publication. Presbyterian Church built. 1880 Southern Pacific Railroad begins operating. Tucson Library Association organized. St. Mary's Hospital opens near town. Population: 7,007. 1881 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad begins operating. Methodist Church built. 1882 – March 20: Wyatt Earp kills Frank Stilwell. 1883 – City chartered. Townsite is bounded by Speedway Boulevard on the north, 22nd Street on the south, 1st Avenue on the east, & on the west by Main Avenue from north of 18th Street, & 10th Avenue from south of 18th Street. 1885 – The first public park in Tucson known as Carrillo's Gardens is built by Leopoldo Carrillo. 1890 – Population: 5,150. 1891 – University of Arizona opens per Morrill Act; Old Main, University of Arizona built. 1893 – Arizona State Museum established. 1897 – Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson established; Cathedral of Saint Augustine (Tucson) built. 1900 – Population: 7,531.