This week on Arizona Illustrated… come along for the ride as we tour exciting and unusual places all 90 minutes or less from the center of Tucson; from fishing, boating and cooler temps at Patagonia Lake State Park; to a local rock shop sells gems and oddities 365 days a year; discover arts, history and Arizona’s longest zipline in the town of Oracle; learn the inspiring story of Gordon Hirabayashi and the campground named after him, and Sabino Canyon Dam is a literal oasis in the desert.
Patagonia Lake State Park
Residents who want a dependable source of water for fishing or boating in southern Arizona don’t have to travel to Mexico or another state: Patagonia Lake State Park in Santa Cruz County offers various options for visitors at the property’s more than 2,000 of acres, of which the lake encompasses about 260 acres. The park offers boating, fishing, trails, camping and other activities and is considered “an oasis in the desert” by many of its supporters. Prior to the park opening and being dedicated on April 1, 1975, after the state purchased the land, it was private property as part of the Patagonia Recreation Association, Inc. (LPRA) which had finished acquiring the land on October 3, 1967.
Rock Shop
Tucson hosts the world’s largest gem and mineral show in February, but one store on the westside that keeps the tradition going 365 days a year. Tucson Mineral and Gem World has been selling delightful oddities for 57 years and counting, even during the hottest time of year.
Around Oracle
Oracle is a small community north of Tucson that is full of history and character even though many people in other parts of Arizona haven’t taken the time to visit. The town is known for its artists, Arizona’s longest zipline eco-tour that held its grand opening in January 2016, an active historical society, and a growing number of restaurants and other attractions.
Gordon Hirabayashi
There is a sign on the road to Mount Lemmon that reads Gordon Hirabayashi. During World War II the site where that sign stands was a prison camp. Gordon Hirabayashi was an inmate. Hirabayashi was one of only three Japanese Americans to openly defy the U.S. government when it forcibly interned nearly 70,000 American citizens of Japanese descent into harsh and isolated detention camps. This is the story of how he went from prisoner to civil rights hero.
Sabino Damn
Flowing water in the desert is often hard to fight but there's a place in Tucson that provides a dependable aquatic environment most of the year. Sabino Dam is an easy walk that’s about a mile from the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center. The destination provides an accessible oasis to tens of thousands of people in our community each year.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.