The Tucson area is rich with history, much of which was noteworthy enough to make its way into our national legacy. Some of the events that occurred in Tucson or the surrounding area even had a national impact. Some were forgotten quickly, while others left an indelible mark. The same is true for some of the celebrated and notorious characters who frequented Tucson, lived in Tucson, or made a noteworthy contribution to Tucson.

Tucson was one of the last areas where three conflicting cultures [the Spanish, the native American populations, and the American settlers] met in America – and often clashed – sometimes violently. And you could even say (if you're willing to stretch definitions a bit) that there was a fourth culture: outlaws (some of their inordinate lifestyles would almost qualify as a separate culture.) The Tucson area had gold, mining, transportation, people, and water – a very highly prized commodity in any desert region.

One of the people who left his mark, and it is quite obviously an indelible one, was Geronimo. His name has even worked its way solidly into the cultural lexicon. When one attacks aggressively, one screams "Geronimo." Interestingly, Geronimo was not his given name, but rather a name given to him by the Mexicans – or so the story goes. The name is actually Spanish for "Jerome." Nobody seems to know the reason this particular name was chosen, or why it stuck.

Geronimo was born in 1829 in what is now western New Mexico. His given name was Goyathlay, which means "one who yawns." At the time of his birth, the area was still Mexican territory. He was a Bedonkohe Apache, the grandson of Mahko.

Geronimo's cousins, Ishton and Asa Daklugie, were both members of the Nednhi band of the more celebrated and familiar Chiricahua Apache.

Geronimo was the leader of the Apaches at Arispe in Sonora. It was rumored that his battle successes – even in some of the most daring raids ever recorded – came from inhuman powers, which were conferred upon him by supernatural beings. This included an invulnerability to bullets.

Geronimo's life of battle was linked closely to that of his brother-in-law, Juh, a Chiricahua chief. Geronimo was not a chief, nor was he an hereditary leader. But because he so often was the spokesperson, Geronimo appeared as the chief to outsiders. Actually, he was the spokesman for his brother-in-law, Juh, because Juh had a speech impediment.

Geronimo led the last American Indian fighting force to formally surrender to the United States. Because he fought so brashly and successfully, and against such overwhelming odds, and because he held out the longest, he became, arguably, the most famous Apache in history.

There can be no question about Geronimo's battle successes. They are matters of historical record – though some accounts are filled with embellishments that extend beyond the actual, accurate accounts. But whether his actions were good or bad, right or wrong – that's something that was solely dependent on your position. The pioneers and settlers of Arizona and New Mexico firmly believed he was a savage, bloody murderer – an image which endured until the second half of the twentieth century. On the other hand, to the Apaches, Geronimo was the very essence of many important Apache values such as aggressiveness, independence, and courage. Such gross contradictions in perception are common in history, which is always the final judge. To the British, George Washington was a traitor, a terrorist, a rebel, and the leader of an insurgency. To those in the colonies, he was a patriot, a hero, and the Father of a Nation.

Residents of Arizona and New Mexico lived in fear of Geronimo. They feared the man and the stories of his raids, and they also feared the rumors – which often seemed plausible. Geronimo's tendency to plan and execute daring and merciless raids – even against the might of the United States military gave rise to many a tall tale. Tucsonans can take a short drive to Gate's Pass and see one of the old, small stone structures that was built by the United States Army. These one room buildings were erected in strategic locations to house the troops who patrolled small areas in search of the Apache war leader. The buildings were placed so that the soldiers staying there could observe very large land and mountain areas. From Gate's Pass, you can see hundreds of square miles. It's a good place to see how a person familiar with the land and mountains could easily hide all around Tucson – and Geronimo's territorial range included much more of Arizona, as well as Mexico and New Mexico.

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