A look at what Tucson was like in the early 1990s
Here's a look at moments captured in Tucson from 1990 to 1991.
Water rescue
A firefighter balances on a ladder during a rescue of Martin Samaniego (standing) after he drove into the Rillito on July 20, 1990.
Drag-racing busts
Pima County Sheriff's deputies talk with youths during an effort to combat drag racing at Los Reales and Swan on Oct. 20, 1990.
Old Tucson shootout
Dave Haas, left, and Lee McKechnie perform tricks with their pistols in front of school children at Old Tucson. May 6, 1990.
Roy P. Drachman
Roy P. Drachman is seen here on top of A mountain on May 14, 1991. Drachman, a prominent businessman and Tucson icon for decades, died Jan. 10, 2002.
San Xavier restoration
From left to right: Nick Morales, Danny Morales, Roger Burrell, and Gary Oliver work on the San Xavier restoration on July 2, 1990.
Trick or treating
Cecilia Bracamonte with Breanna Bracamonte, 18 months, participate in trick or treat activities at UMC in 1991.
Halloween spiders
Elise Michelle Stickles, dressed as a spider, hangs out at her web, also known as Todd Stickles at the Halloween Festival at Reid Park, October 27, 1990.
Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
Kids look at rocks and minerals at the 1990 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.
Toothpick bridges at Fenster
Teacher Stuart Gooding places more weight to test the load-bearing ability of a toothpick bridge built by Amy Hooper, standing on the far left. Students at the Fenster School of Southern Arizona were studying physical sciences as part of their physics and chemistry class on December 12, 1990.
Joe M. Mendez
Joe M. Mendez was the first Mexican-American to graduate from University of Arizona College of Pharmacy. This photo shows him on the job at his pharmacy, Medical Arts, 4107 S. Sixth Ave., in 1991.
Davis-Monthan Boneyard
Rows of B-52s sit on the hard desert soil at the D-M boneyard. The dry air and hard soil are the two main reasons the “boneyard” is located here. The dryness preserves the airframes, and the hard soil prevents the heavy planes from sinking into the ground.
Dunking Lew Murphy
Former Tucson Mayor Lew Murphy shouts at the crowd to try and dunk him during the United Way campaign kickoff at Reid Park Bandshell on Sept. 13, 1990.
Dr. Richard Carmona
Dr. Richard Carmona at a SWAT Team training at the Pima Pistol Club in Catalina in 1991. Carmona served as the medical officer for the Pima County Sheriff's Department's SWAT division.
Catalina Chamber Orchestra
A photo of the Catalina Chamber Orchestra taken in 1991.
El Tour de Tucson
Bikers parked at an aid station during the 1991 El Tour de Tucson.
Bernard "Bunny" Fontana
University of Arizona field historian Bernard "Bunny" Fontana sits in his office at the UA Main Library on August 15, 1990.
The first Boeing 707
The first Boeing 707, a prototype airplane seen here in 1990, was restored for flight by Boeing workers at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base after being "mothballed" in Tucson for 18 years. The plane was being flown to Moses Lake near Seattle before it found a home with the Smithsonian annex at Dulles International Airport.
Border Patrol in 1990
U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Nogales station unload bails of marijuana, each with a core of cocaine bricks, after a vehicle stop in 1990. The trunk was so full the smugglers put the spare tire in the back seat. The woman driver thought she was carrying marijuana, which commands a lower fee for the driver.
Tucson buddhist temple
The Tucson buddhist temple in 1991.
DPS officers killed in 1990
A vehicle driven by James Benjamin Sheets struck DPS Sgt. John Blaser and Officer David Gabrielli before colliding with a railroad crossing signal at Valencia and Nogales Highway in Tucson.
Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
Dealers preparing their displays for the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil showcase near I-10 and Congress in 1991.
University of Arizona Homecoming
TV personality Geraldo Rivera rides in a Ford Mustang during the 1990 UA Homecoming Parade on the UA Mall.
University of Arizona homecoming
The Pride of Arizona tuba section marches along with the band on UA Mall during the 1991 Homecoming parade.
Sabino Canyon
Maria Reyna, left, and friend Gena Vidal have a water fight in a pool at Sabino Canyon National Recreation Area north of Tucson during record heat on June, 26, 1990.
La Fuente
Frank Davis, left, and Frank Flores, co-owners of La Fuente in 1990, when the restaurant celebrated its 30th anniversary.
Old Tucson gunfighters
Dave Hass, center, and other actors at Old Tucson Studios perform a skit for Tucson-area students. About 30 schools participated in a free day at Old Tucson on May 8, 1990. In addition to the skit, there was a Wild West show, a high school rodeo competition, a children's dance group and a band.
Pima County Fair fun
A ride operator watches the Kamikazee at the Pima County Fair in April, 1990.
Pima County Fair
Billy Zahne works on constructing a roller coaster at the 1990 Pima County Fair.
Fugitive capture
Pima County Sheriff's deputies/detectives bring a fugitive to the sheriff's office on Mission Road in 1990.
Fingerprint dusting
Pima County Sheriff's ID technician Duane DeMontigny dusts for fingerprints after a bank robbery at 444 W. Orange Grove Road on Nov. 13, 1991.
La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo
Quadrille de Mujeres stand before the crowd during the La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo in 1990.
Mount Lemmon Cafe
Savory pies at the Mount Lemmon Cafe in Summerhaven on Sept. 23, 1990.
Summerhaven
A busy weekend in Summerhaven in Sept, 1990.
John Denver
Singer John Denver during a Tucson Open media event in 1991.
UA women's basketball
University of Arizona women's basketball coach Joan Bonvicini works with players at McKale Center in 1991, her first year as coach.

