On Monday, Nov 4th, we drove to Tubac, a famous authentic western town south of Tucson. Tubac was established in 1752 as a Spanish presidio (fort), creating the first European settlement in Arizona. Then in 1821, the Spanish were ousted by the Mexicans and the Apaches began warring with the Mexicans. In 1853, James Gadsden, the American Ambassador to Mexico, signed a treaty purchasing a huge tract of land from Mexico, including Tubac. The Apache chief, Geronimo, and his warriors wreaked havoc against the Mexicans. He was finally defeated in 1886, in Cochise County on Canyon Road near Tubac. The fighting eventually stopped and the 200-year war came to an end.
Today, Tubac is the town ” where art and history meet”. There are over 130 galleries and artists studios and shops to browse through all day. We wandered around the galleries all morning until we came to the Hugh Cabot Studio and Gallery situated in the oldest building in Arizona. Olivia Cabot, the wife of Hugh, was sitting at her desk when we arrived and she proceeded to tell us the life history of Hugh Cabot. A wonderful old lady, 85 years old, and full of energy. In 2006, Hugh became an “American Master Painter”. Cabot spent 30 years in Tubac, and he is best-known for his bold, powerful Western landscapes awash with light and color that literally glows; as well as his distinctive portraits of what he calls the “world’s leading icon”, the cowboy. We had a fabulous lunch at the Shelby’s Bistro and then drove back to Tucson to Lazydays. This town is a must see on your list of things to see around Tucson, I would love to return.