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Many Scots and Scottish-Americans arrived in Tucson early on, some
before the Mexican War or the 1854 Gadsden Purchase. William Mann
Rudd arrived either late in the 1700's or early in the 1800's (he died in 1823).
He and his wife Eliza, known as the Madonna of The Trails were here when Apache
County was created. William was first a doctor, studied law and was then elected the first
District Attorney.

Another early pioneer was Colin Cameron who owned a ranch on the old Spanish land grant,
San Rafael de La Zanja.

An early military commander in Tucson, Major David Ferguson, ordered the first registration of property in Tucson and the creation of the first plat maps.

In 1856, Scots living in the Gadsden Purchase area were John W. Davis, John B. Pie Allen, Mark Aldrich, Hiram S. Stevens, William Kirkland and Pete Kitchen, who considered his land as extending as far as you can find a horse with my brand.

William Sanders Oury was appointed Tucson�s first territorial mayor in 1864, but not until he had been a volunteer and courier at the Alamo, but missed the battle because he was away at the time; served in the Texas army and was also a Texas Ranger; captured by Mexican soldiers and was almost executed, married a Mexican lady named Inez Garcia, moved to California for the Gold Rush; and then moved to Tucson where he was first a Butterfield overland Mail agent. Once mayor, he was re-elected several times.

Other mayors of Tucson of Scottish heritage were: James Brackett Allen (1876 - 1878), John Sterling Carr (1881 - 1882), William E. Stevens (1887 - 1889), Charles F. Slack (1907 - 1909), J. Knox Corbett (1915 - 1917) who also served as Postmaster from 1890-1914. He founded the J. Knox Corbett Lumber and Hardware Company and was a prominent school board member.

Corbett Elementary School is named after him, Olva Clayton Parker (1917 - 1921), Elbert Thompson Houston (1947 - 1950), James N. Corbett Jr. (1967 - 1921) .

A review of Arizona Territory U. S. Marshals reveals that of the 270 marshals appointed during that period, 73 had Scottish names.

Explorer and Indian fighter Kit Carson lived in the Tucson area for a short while a bit later.

Founding of the University of Tucson was initially funded as a consolation prize for not being named state capital. The territorial legislature stipulated that the town of Tucson donate 40 acres for this purpose and for a time, there were no donations until Jacob S. Mansfeld, member of the new U of A Board of Regents, talked two professional gamblers, E. B. Gifford and Ben C. Parker and saloon keeper W.S. Billy Read (all Scottish names) to donate the land.

However, from those humble beginnings, we now see a beautiful and productive campus. Scot James Miller Greigton, the first building, designed old Main. The first graduating class in 1895 also had the first woman to graduate from U of A, Mary Flint Walker, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland.

Not to be outdone on the other side of the Catalinas, Alexander McKay, who came to Tucson to search for gold, founded the town of Oracle, named for his mine, which was named for the battered ship on which he sailed here.

20th Century Scots (some have left us and some are still here and still serving) .

What is a town with Scots without Scottish activities? There are few of them, I would say, but here is a partial list of Tucson Scots who have contributed not only to the town in general, but to the better understanding of Scottish heritage: Jim Griffith took time out from his duties at U of A to establish the annual event, Tucson Meet Yourself, where all ethnic groups participating met at Presidio Park for a full weekend and shared their food, music, dance and information.

Tucson Highland Games was founded in 1987 by Ian Thompson and Walter and Lois Ross, along with fellow Scots Pam Humphries and OraBeth Cesarini. We have lost Ian and Walter, but their contributions will be remembered every first Saturday of November. Coming a few years later were Helen and Woody Pearson. Canadian-born Helen, with a lifetime of participation in Scottish events (including being Arizona Clan Donald Commissioner) and Woody joined the games committee. It was Helen who instituted the Order of the Isles, a honored donor society which supported the Highland Games. They were both active in Scottish activities until a short time before their recent deaths. Adding a wonderful dimension to this were Jean and Phil Donnachie, who then ran the Highland Dancing competition and donated a perpetual trophy for high point Premier dancer. We lost Jean in 1996, but Phil continues his support of Highland Dancing, as well as participating in the many annual Seven Pipers� Society performances, singing and dancing.

Presenting a wonderful annual Robert Burns dinner in January is one of the activities of the Southern Arizona Scottish Society, and without the stalwart support of Melba Mitchell, this and many other events might not have happened. When the other Celtic groups in Tucson began to participate more in the Highland Games, it was Katie Crook, who suggested the name change to Tucson Celtic Festival and Highland Games in 1990, which it is today. We now have either one or both: tents and surname books for Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Cornish and Manx.

For years, the well-known, -liked and recognized voice of the Scottish community has been Toppy Burke, widow of Terry Burke (covered in the English Tapestry). Toppy communicated with City officials and media arranging for performances of the Seven Pipers Society as well as providing information on other Scottish organizations� events. An experienced dancer, Toppy still performs with the Seven Pipers Scottish Country Dance demonstration team. Toppy is a charter member of Clan Donnachaid Arizona and currently (2004), secretary to the Dean of Pima College.

by: Pat Anderson

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