The Tucson citizen., 1902-02-07
Tuc9on a
Winter
Resort.%

|
the Southern part of the Territory of
Arizona. and on the edge of the Santa
Cruz Valley, lies the City of Tucson.
That it was first settled several centur-
les ago has little to do with what we
have to say here, but yet its story full
OF adventure and romance lends an in
describable charm to the old town.
Evidences of Thrift-Its antiquities
are, however. fast disappearing before
the march of progress The adobe walls
that formed the battlements of the old
Mexican Pueblo have crumbled away
and the mission ruins are falling to
pieces. Prominent public buildings,
churches, stores and handsome modern
residences have been erected with bcauti-
full gardens, flowers and shrubbery sur
rounding many of the latter. Old streets
have been graded, new ones laid out, and
other improvements made which give a
thrifty appearance to the city.
Foreign Element.--Of it's population,
however, consisting of about ten thou
sand people, large Mexican element re-
mains, and its presence gives foreign
air to the community as also do the
adobe buildings III which they mainly
dwell.
Topogra y.-The location of the city
in a vast amphitheatre as ii were. SUR
rounded by beautiful mountains. and
resting under the canopy of the lovelest
OF blue skies, is beautiful. The splendid
roads i'll the vicinity make driving and
bicycling an especial pleasure. In every
direction charming mountain views
greet the eye, and at the sunset hour
gorgeous and respondent colors cover
the western sky, the departing ofthe
sun casting shadows upon the tops OF
the mountains which fairly enchant one.
Public Library. has a well
selected library.
Hotel ommodatious.-The hotel
accommodations are ample, and for
those preferring them there are cottages
and rooms for rent at reasonable rates
Tucson as Health Resort.-Itis how
ever of Tucson as health resort of
which we wish to speak especially here
and first of all let us say that it is situat-
ed almost in tie centre of the climatic
belt recommended by the United States
Medical Commission, as the most favor
able region in the United States for those
afflicted with pulmonary ailments.
Altitude Above the Sea The altitude
of Tucson is about 2, 400 feet above the
sea, and this by the way seems a medium
altitude particularly suited to those suf-
fering from such diseases.
The Rainy Season.-July, August and
September constitute the so-called
rainy season." but the rains during
these months, when there are any, while
hey are often violent are nothing more
than showers. 1t soon clears OFF and
the sun comes out as bright as ever. In
tuly of this year there was scarcely any
rain. In no country are there 80 many
days of sunshine as in Arizona.
Exceedingly Small Rainfall.-At Tue
son the rainfall for the whole year is only
about eleven inches. Some years it is
not even as much as that. During the
nine months, October to June inclusive,
| lS94-5 ther e were but twent y-five cloudy
| days and nine of those were in one
month.
Temperature. the months OF
June, July and August the average tenn
perature is about 80 degrees, but there
is so little humidity in the atmosphere
that no inconvenience is experienced.
There being but limited irrigation in the
neighborhood of Tncson there is no
humidity produced in that way, AS is
notably the case in the neighborhood of
Phoenix, where agricultural develop
ment has through the aid of irrigation
reached great stage. The fall. winter
and spring months can be compared
with the Italian CLINE Flowers bloom
during the entire winter months.
Wonderful Dryness of Climate.-There
is nothing more remarkable about the
climate of Tucson than it's dryness. 1t
is phenominal. There isno such thing as
what is called sultry weather as in the
east A recent visitor to Tucson joking
iy remarked that mot even the rains
seemed damp" 1t is fact that the ef-
feet of heavy shower is observable for
but few hours. In this dry climate
sunstrokes are unknown. The dry air
induces exceedingly rapid evaporation OF
the abundant perspiration. AS mat
ter of course the supply of fluid must be
maintained, hence one drinks great
deal Of water here.
Good Water at Tucson.-Everyone is
aware of the Importance of good water,
and this Tucson certainly has. More
over, there are two ice factories which
supply any quantity of beautiful ice.
Effect of dry Climate on Temperature.
Another effect of the extremely dry eli
mate is that the sensible temperature is
far less than that recorded by the ther-
momrter would indicate. Some claim
that there is a difference of as mach as
fifteen degrees between the sensible tenn
perature and that recorded by the ther-
mometer.
Climate the Only Cure for Pulmonary
Disease - 1t is admitted that no medical
treatment has yet been discovered that
will cure pulmonary consumption. The
only cure is that of climate, and in Tue
son the warm dry atmosphere seems to
be especially cfficacious. AS to the special
advantage which it's climate offers for
the relief and restoration of those suffer
ing from pulmonary complaints. note
what different prominent physicians of
the city say:
DR.. w. B. Purcell, County Physician,
Observes:-"It is an undisputed fact that
proper climatic conditions give the
greatest relief to those affected with or
having tendency to phthisis.