A Spanish mission was founded in 1700, and became part of the United States after the Gadsden Purchase (1853), and served as territorial capital from 1867 until 1877. The city received its name because of the volcanic mountains near it.
Coronado explored the area during 1540. During 1692, Eusebio Kino came to the area and he was the founder of Mission San Xavier. The Southern Pacific Railroad came through the area around 1880. The University of Arizona was constructed during 1885.
