The Garden District neighborhood, located just ten minutes from Tucson, was once a scattered area of homes, ranches, and farms in the 1920s and 30s. The area was home to Tom Cheesbourg, a seven-time Indy 500 driver, who was born in 1927 and still lives in his family’s adobe home at Columbus and Lee.
In 1931, Bernice and Rutger Porter established the Desert Gardens Nursery on the corner of Grant and Maple (Alvernon) Boulevard. The Porters built a beautiful home surrounded by lush gardens, and Bernice later donated the property to the City of Tucson. In 1983, the Tucson Botanical Gardens was opened on this site to serve as a horticultural center, bird sanctuary, and educational center.
Louis Wilson built one of the first subdivisions in Tucson, Frontier Village, at the intersection of Pima and Maple (Alvernon) in 1946. 150 homes with two or three bedrooms, front lawns, and shrubs were constructed by 1950, with curvilinear streets designed to create a safe, attractive, and landscaped neighborhood for children and families.
In the 1970s and 80s, lot splits and zoning changes led to the creation of more R2 and R3 properties, and many single-family homes were replaced by inexpensive multi-family units. This resulted in absentee landlords and poorly maintained rental properties becoming an issue in some parts of the Garden District.
By the 1990s, the neighborhood had become a high-risk area with issues of crime and poorly maintained properties. In response, some residents formed a neighborhood association with the aim of maintaining Pima as a residential street and building a library with a focus on children. The MidTown Neighborhood Association was created in 1997, covering a one-square-mile area with boundaries between Grant to Speedway and Alvernon to Swan. The Association worked with Molly McKasson at Ward VI to secure a $150,000 grant to purchase property for the new library. After many years of hard work, the Martha Cooper Library was built and is now one of the most used libraries in Pima County.
In a few years, the neighborhood association felt that the name “Mid Town” did not reflect the neighborhood’s values or character. Therefore, the name was changed to the Garden District Neighborhood Association (GDNA), honoring the Tucson Botanical Gardens, a “gem” within the neighborhood’s boundaries and a guiding vision for the culture and appearance that residents wanted to create in the future.
The Garden District also worked closely with Wright Elementary School. For years, neighborhood meetings and potlucks were held monthly at the school. Kha Dang, also known as the “King of Clubs,” organized clubs such as the Bike, Lego, Computer, and Chess Clubs to benefit children and families.
Over the years, residents have written grants and worked hard to improve the appearance, safety, and quality of life in the Garden District. Major projects included grants for construction of sidewalks on both sides of Columbus and building the Pima Pedestrian Path, replacing a frontage road on Pima with sidewalks and vegetated water harvesting basins. Other grants included playground equipment for Wright, traffic calming roundabouts and speed tables, home repairs for low-income residents, and hundreds of trees planted. In 2011, Brad Holland donated a portion of his property at 1933 Bell to create a community garden.
Today, the Garden District is a vibrant, active neighborhood with over 7,000 residents from 3,500 households. The area has a large immigrant and refugee population and is highly pedestrian-friendly, with a variety of services and businesses within easy walking distance. Preservation of R1 properties is a major priority, as is improving the safety and stability of residents. The Garden District is now known for its engaged residents, annual Porch Fest, community-wide yard sale, holiday party at the Botanical Garden, child-centered events, grant-funded improvements, green infrastructure, monthly crime meetings with the police, five Little Free Libraries, a weekly e-newsletter, and twice-yearly plant swaps.
Despite the challenges faced in the past, the Garden District has transformed into a thriving and active community. The efforts of its residents have led to significant improvements, making it a highly desirable place to live in Tucson.
To support the Garden District and stay up-to-date with their latest news and events, please follow them at https://gdna.weebly.com
Rest and Recover in our Comfortable Vacation Rental in Central Tucson
Nestled in the heart of Tucson, our rental home is just a stone’s throw away from some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in the area. From hiking and biking trails to fishing spots and waterfalls, there’s no shortage of outdoor recreation activities to enjoy during your stay.
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And when you wake up in the morning, delight yourself with a fresh cup of coffee or tea in the butler’s pantry without having to leave the house or even your pajamas. It’s the perfect way to start your day and prepare for your next adventure.
So whether you’re visiting Tucson, Arizona for a weekend getaway or an extended stay, our comfortable Tucson vacation rental is the ideal home base for all your outdoor recreation activities. We can’t wait to welcome you and help you make the most of your time in this beautiful corner of the world.