The Garden District in Tucson in Pima County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Does This Garden Seem Lush and Cool?

Historical Gardens

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 6, 2015

1. Does This Garden Seem Lush and Cool? Marker

Inscription. The Historical Gardens show a gardening style that was popular in Tucson from the 1880s through the 1940s. The landscape choices of those days aimed for a green retreat from the desert and helped keep homes cooler in the decades before air-conditioning.

The Porters experimented over the years to learn what would thrive in their nursery and garden. Tall vegetation and garden walls created an oasis surrounded by dusty roads and fields.

After the nursery closed and Rutger died, the family hoped their garden might yet be of use. Through an agreement between Mrs. Porter and the city, Tucson Botanical Gardens was invited to set up headquarters here in 1974.

Photo captions:
Rutger and Bernice Porter
Lily pond in front patio before 1971
Porter House, front walk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1974.

Location. 32° 14.898′ N, 110° 54.577′ W. Marker is in Tucson, Arizona, in Pima County. It is in The Garden District. Marker can be reached from North Alvernon Way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2150 N Alvernon Way, Tucson AZ 85712, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Who Lived Here? (here, next to this marker); Cattle Tank (within shouting

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

distance of this marker); The Settlers of Binghampton, Arizona (approx. 1½ miles away); Villa Catalina (approx. 1.8 miles away); Chapel of San Pedro at Fort Lowell (approx. 1.9 miles away); El Conquistador Water Tower (approx. 2 miles away); Fort Lowell (approx. 2.2 miles away); Officers' Quarters (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tucson.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 6, 2015

2. Does This Garden Seem Lush and Cool? Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 528 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 6, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.