Fort Lowell was a supply base for the United States Army “Apache
Campaigns” between 1873 and 1891. Following abandonment
of the fort in 1891, settlers moved in and used some fort buildings
as residences, or stripped the buildings of useful materials.
By the 1930s, much of the fort had fallen into disrepair or had
been sold off. After World War II, this area became known as “El
Fuerte”.
Eventually, the City of Tucson acquired a large portion of the
old fort which became what is today’s “Fort Lowell
Park.” A 5.2 acre (“Adkins”) parcel of the
former fort containing several original adobe buildings was still
in private ownership, and the 2004 County bond election passed
a proposal to acquire the land and preserve the historic resources.
The City of Tucson recently acquired the property in cooperation
with Pima County through an Intergovernmental Agreement, which
provides the means by which the County Bond funding can be used
to implement a preservation project. Following this work, the
property will be incorporated into the Fort Lowell Historic Park,
owned and operated by the City of Tucson. Pima County will continue
to be a major stakeholder through a Conservation Easement on
the property, which will provide assurance that the property
is managed and interpreted as part of the park in perpetuity.
Between 2006 and 2008, site clean-up, inventory and mapping
work, and emergency stabilization took place. The master planning
process includes opportunities for public participation, and
will culminate in a plan that will eventually allow for interpretation
of the existing cultural resources and continue the recreational
opportunities for the park.
Bond Ordinance No. 2004 – 18 / 4.4 (Fort Lowell Acquisition
and San Pedro Chapel) allows $2,500,000 to be used for land acquisition,
planning, design and construction.
On this site you will find Project
Updates,
Public Documents, Master
Plan, Advisory Committee Meetings,
and current information about this project
as it unfolds.
Please check back often as this site will
be updated regularly.
We want to know what you think about the Fort Lowell Master
Plan!
Contact us
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