Now’s the time to become a member of Oro Valley Historical Society! Renew or join now through May 11 and you will have the opportunity to win a $25 gift certificate to Harvest Restaurant. For membership information contact Carol Bull (carolpfc@icloud.com) or Teri Colmar (teri.colmar@gmail.com). You can also stop by the Oro Valley Historical Society tent at the Steam Pump Ranch Farmers Market from 8 – Noon OR attend the OVHS meeting on Thursday, April 25 at 3:00 p.m. (Pusch House at Steam Pump Ranch) OR use the JOIN tab on this website. We hope you’ll help to “Keep Oro Valley History Alive”!
We hope you didn’t miss all the activity at Steam Pump Ranch on Saturday! It was a picture perfect day…the crowd will attest to that. Celebrate Oro Valley (the 45th Anniversary of the founding of Oro Valley) was a huge success! The Pusch House was open and OVHS docents 
hosted hundreds of visitors who moseyed in to see the historical exhibits of local cattle ranching. The Heritage Garden was full of family activities and demonstrations of branding. The Procter-Leiber House had displays of family memorabilia from the 1930s and later. Our table hosts answered many questions about the OVHS and sold a number of Jim Click Millions for Tucson raffle tickets (all proceeds benefiting OVHS), and books (Claiming the Desert, written by Jim Williams). Thank you to all of our precious volunteer members for making this such a special day! It’s never too late to join the fun! If you’d like to become an OVHS member stop by the next meeting on Thursday, April 25 at the Pusch House at Steam Pump Ranch at 3 p.m. or check the website event page and “Join” page for further information.
It’s a busy week for Oro Valley Historical Society (OVHS)! On Wednesday, April 10 there’s a volunteer/member gathering at Steam Pump Ranch. Be there at 2 p.m. for an overview of OVHS and membership and volunteering. There’s an opportunity for every interest! Meet at the Pusch House.
On Saturday, April 13 wish Oro Valley a Happy Birthday as the town celebrates 45 years since its founding. All the Celebrate Oro Valley activity will take place at Steam Pump Ranch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There’ll be musical entertainment, equestrian demonstrations, food, and the artisan and farmer’s market. But wait there’s more! OVHS will have Pusch House tours with new exhibits featuring the history of cattle ranching in our area. The Heritage Garden will have great family activities and demonstrations also centered on ranching and the “PZ brand” of Steam Pump Ranch.
Stop at the OVHS Booth where our volunteers can give you the low down on Steam Pump Ranch. If you join OVHS between April 10 and May 11 you’ll be eligible to win a gift certificate for Harvest Restaurant! While you’re at the booth, don’t forget to buy a Jim Click Millions for Tucson Raffle ticket. Prizes include a Jeep Grand Cherokee (you might even get a glimpse of it on Saturday), 2 Round-trip First Class tickets anywhere in the world, or $5000. All prizes are courtesy of Jim Click and ALL proceeds from the tickets we sell go directly to OVHS.
We hope to see you….back at the (Steam Pump)Ranch!
Interested in volunteering? It’s only 8 days away! The Oro Valley Historical Society is hosting an informational meeting for volunteers on Wednesday, April 10 at 2 p.m. at Steam Pump Ranch. Find out about the variety of volunteer positions we offer. It’s fun, educational, and friendly! For more information contact Carol Bull at carolpfc@icloud.com or just “COME ON DOWN” to Steam Pump Ranch (10901 N. Oracle, Oro Valley) and “sit a spell”. Meet at the Pusch House at the south end of the ranch. Our Volunteers are Worth Their Weight in Oro!
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- Steam Pump House
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- Heritage Garden
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- Pusch House
How many times have you passed it on the way to Phoenix. Picacho Peak is still a natural landmark much as it was through history. In 1775, Juan Bautista de Anza, commander of the Presidio of Tubac passed through this area during his expedition to settle San Francisco and establish a Presidio there. The expedition of soldiers and their families, interpreters, priests, cooks and cowboys along with 1000 head of livestock were to stop at El Aquituni, a well-known watering site just east of Picacho Peak. Anza was reluctant to stop due to Apache raids in the area. Since there was also a lack of water, they continued on to the Gila River and to a settlement of Pima Indians. The result of the expedition was the building of numerous settlements and missions along the trail as well as the San Francisco Presidio. Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail covers over 1200 miles of rich and diverse history. The historic sites, stops, and views are plentiful. Travel it today to discover and explore an important chapter in Southwest/California history.
Near El Aquituni: Camp 21 on the Bautista de Anza expedition
Brittlebush and ocotillo near Picacho Peak
Join the Celebration on Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Steam Pump Ranch!
A celebration for the community we love! This year’s theme, “Our Legacy, Our Future,” will highlight the region’s early beginnings through the present, with a look toward the future. Many of the activities will focus on our ranching past. Stop by the Heritage Garden for demonstrations of “branding”. Children can make a stick riding horse or bull at the crafts table.
The Pusch House will feature unique displays and information regarding ranching at Steam Pump Ranch and the Oro Valley area. Roam around the house on a self-tour or let our docents guide you through. Donations are greatly appreciated and the main source of our income to “Keep Oro Valley History Alive”!
But wait there’s more! Three musical acts, horse demonstrations, the James D. Kriegh meteorite display and an art show. Be sure to stop by the Oro Valley Historical Society tent to buy “Claiming the Desert”, by Jim Williams, notecards, water and a Jim Click “Millions for Tucson” Raffle ticket. Raffle tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100 for a chance to win a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2 First Class roundtrip tickets to ANYWHERE in the world, or $5000. ALL proceeds from the ticket sales go to OVHS!
What a great family-friendly way to spend the day…don’t miss it!
And one more thing…if you’d like to become a volunteer for this or any of the Oro Valley Historical Society events or activities contact Carol Bull at carolpfc@icloud.com.