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

Main Avenue

Calle Real

— El Camino Real —

Main Avenue Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 10, 2013

1. Main Avenue Marker

Inscription. Originating during Mexico’s Spanish period, “Royal Road” connected Spain’s southern and northern territories. The route linked Mexico City, Guadalajara, Mazatlan, and Culiacan, Magdalena to Spain’s northern outposts. Eventually, Calle Real extended to Yuma, San Diego and San Francisco, remaining the primary route linking Mexico and the United States. In 1872, the street name was changed to Main Avenue.

Erected 2013 by City of Tucson Historic Preservation Office.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 32° 13.275′ N, 110° 58.515′ W. Marker is in Tucson, Arizona, in Pima County. It is in Downtown. It is on West Congress Street 0.1 miles east of Granada Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Marker is mounted horizontally in the sidewalk on the south side of Congress Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 203 W Broadway Blvd, Tucson AZ 85701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Sky Islands,

in the Sonoran Desert,

and in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Gadsden Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Congress Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Pearl Street / Ott Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Arizona's First Public School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Granada Avenue (about 400 feet away); Presidio Wall Camino Real (about 400 feet away); Southwest Corner of the Presidio (about 400 feet away); Meyer Street (about 400 feet away); Garcés Footbridge (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tucson.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 10, 2013

2. Main Avenue Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 10, 2013

3. Main Avenue Marker

View west on Congress Street. Marker is at the bottom of the photo.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 10, 2013

4. Main Avenue Marker

View east on Congress Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2013, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 690 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 13, 2013, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.