Catalina State Park Stairway, Oro Valley, AZ - Outdoor Stairways on Waymarking.com

The stairs are part of the Romero Ruin Interpretive Trail. Going up the stairs will get you to where the trail begins.

History of the Catalina State Park area:
Little is known about the Canada del Oro region and the area where Catalina State Park is located for the periods of Spanish and Mexican control over southern Arizona. The lack of historical documentation in this area may have been because of the fact that most of the activity in the Tucson Basin at that time centered around the mission of San Xavier del Bac. There was a small detachment of Spanish soldiers stationed at the mission and village of adobes a few miles to the north known as Tucson. Most of the population was concentrated in these centers rather than dispersed, because of the continual threat of attack by the Apaches. Exploring and exploiting the rich mining, ranching and farming potential of the Tucson area was a risky endeavor.

In 1853, the Gadsden purchase was signed which formalized the acquisition of southern Arizona by the United States. During the years following the purchase, United States army troops were sent to the Territory to control Apache threats to the increasing numbers of travelers, prospectors and settlers in the area. On of the posts established during this period was Camp Grant located 40 miles northeast of Tucson along the San Pedro River. The route from Tucson to the Camp paralleled the Canada del Oro Wash where it passed between the Tortolita and Catalina Mountains. This route became an important for movement of the troops in spite of the attacks by the Apaches along the Canada del Oro Wash.

Prospectors were attracted to the Canada del Oro region by the lure of gold in spite of the risks from the Apaches. Reports of placer mines established along the upper reaches of the “Canyon of Gold” continued until late in the 1920s. Apparently not much materialized since no mining activity has been found in Park area.

Park Hours:
Daily 8am - 5pm

Cost: $7 per car

Address:
11570 North Oracle Road
Tucson, AZ 85737

?Phone:(520) 628-5798

number of stairs (minimum 60): 92.00 stair landing (check if yes): yes

Visit Instructions:
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Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   11/13/2019 leeny_c visited it 03/29/2019 find waldo visited it 01/31/2018 2 Sonians visited it 08/07/2013 Poehunters visited it 08/03/2013 philbeer visited it

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