Street Smarts: Tucson's first baker helped govern city

He traveled south to North and South Carolina, Florida and Georgia for some time, working in the same role before returning to New York City.

Believing his future was in the West, Miltenberg departed New York City for Colon, Panama, by steamer, crossed the Isthmus of Panama, and then sailed to San Francisco, arriving in 1873.

His next stop was Arizona, arriving around 1874 or 1875. He went to work at the Silver King Mine near Superior, and two years later came to Tucson, where he established what some sources say was the first bakery in the Old Pueblo.

In 1881, when Tucson’s first city directory came out, his bakery was located at 11 (W.) Mesilla St. (about where the west end of Veinte de Agosto Park now sits) with a home at 228 (S.) Convent St.

He served on the Tucson Common Council (now the City Council) representing the second ward for many years, beginning in 1887. A fellow council member at that time was A.V. Grosetta, the namesake for Grossetta Avenue. During his years on the council, Miltenberg served on many committees including Finance, Police, Fire, Draining & Sewerage, Hospital & Health, and Streets.

In 1887 he served in the Pioneer Hose Company No. 1, as a volunteer firefighter, and he might have served other years also.

In 1888, he married Margaret (Finley) Tyler, a native of New York City and a graduate of New York State Normal School (now the University of Albany). She had taught in the public schools back east and in Tucson. They had three children but only two survived: Frank and Edgar.

On April 13, 1889, the Common Council, of which Miltenberg was a member of at the time, ordered a survey on part of the land formerly occupied by the National Cemetery, bounded by Alameda Street, Stone Avenue and Toole Avenue. The survey was done by pioneer John Gardiner — Miltenberg Street was named during this survey and was officially recorded with Pima County on May 7, 1889.

By 1899, Miltenberg had relocated his shop, the City Bakery, to 157 W. Congress. But on Jan. 25, 1903, a large fire swept through the downtown commercial district and caused $800 worth of damage to the bakery.

He then moved his bakery to 30 (S.) Convent St.; some sources say 330 (S.) Convent St. By 1912 he relocated to a more modern location at 28 N. Stone Ave, which also doubled as his residence.

As historian James H. McClintock would later write, “He was a capable man of business and prospered in his undertakings, becoming the owner of one of the largest and best patronized bakeries in the city.”

On March 25, 1913, he died of pneumonia in Tucson.

On Nov. 21, 1960, Miltenberg Street was made part of Council Street by the Tucson City Council and has since been demolished.