Where Life is Sweet
The area is historically known as Sugar Hill, one of the two original Black neighborhoods in Tucson. Sugar Hill was largely located in the current boundaries, although the boundaries were not exactly the same. The neighborhood was one of the few places in Tucson where black professionals could buy a home between World War II and the passage of civil-rights legislation in the '60s. “In the early 50s black families started moving in this neighborhood because it was a really nice neighborhood,” Dennis Jones, organizer of the annual reunion said. “And if you lived over here it was sweet. So that's how it kind of got the name Sugar Hill.”
Learn more stories here
Documentation of 2018 Story Circles by Tucson Arts Brigade, here.
More Info
A comprehensive history of the annexation, construction, homes and Bronx wash is located on Neighborhood Link.
History of Churches:
http://parentseyes.arizona.
Northwest Neighborhood Center (Donna Liggins Center at Mansfield Park)
Timeline
1950 Mansfield Park Inception
XXXX Marty Birdman, 1st of the Mansfield Center
XXXX Hank Raymond, was the 1st supervisor of the NWC
1967 Land and water conservation grants provided a pool and bathhouse Pool and Bathhouse added
1970 Mansfield Park comprised mostly of affluent Black people
1978 The original Master Plan was published
1979 NW Center developed
1982 Black History Mural Transferred to NWC
1986 Picnic Facilities, ramadas, soccer fields, Playground and Volleyball courts
1993 Donna Liggins become Center Supervisor
1998 Weight Room added on
2000 The Parks & Rec Dept decided to combine the two centers under one roof to presents a unified
facility to the community
2003 Large Gym, Walking Track
2018- Changed name by neighborhood vote from Northwest to Sugar Hill!
Northwest Center History
At the inception of the center, this neighborhood was
comprised of mostly affluent African-Americans. The
surrounding community of African-Americans marched and
was responsible for getting the Mansfield Center built. The
original Master Plan was in 1978 and did not include
Northwest Center as it is today. The community pushed to
get the Northwest Center.
History of Park
When there was no center, Doris Thompson was the park
supporting our children. There was Ms. Ross was a fighter
for the kids before there was a building. They all fought to
get the Mansfield Center. Johnnie Bowens was the one that
pulled things together to get a building. Hank Raymond
gave the Harambee Festival (Formerly Northside Festival) its
name. Harambee has been in existence for 20 years. But
this festival was going on for 12 years prior to being
renamed (32 years total). Marty Birdman was also the first
supervisor of the Mansfield Center. Hank Raymond was the
first supervisor of the Northwest Center. There was a
Mansfield neighborhood improvement association that fought
for the Northwest Neighborhood Center. Ms. Ross, Doris
Thompson, Higgie, Johnnie Bowens, and Jack Anderson. Ms.
Dody, Ms. Dawson, Mr. Cody all were fighting along with
them to make a difference in their community.
Present, in 1998, we built on to the Northwest Center. Was
a small social services building. We built a weight room and
additional classrooms.
Donna Liggins
Donna Liggins, a 35 year veteran of the Parks and recreation
department became the Center Supervisor for the Northwest
Neighborhood Center and during her 11 years of leadership
she spear headed an addition which was build in 1998.
Currently, Ms. Liggins is overseeing a gymnasium addition,
which consequently culminates the 1978 Master Plan.
Northwest Neighborhood reflects its roots and origins
through its art displays and continued service to the
community.
Boundaries
The below is a brief summary of the NWNA boundary. The City, Department of Neighborhood Resources, provided this information, February 2007.
Name change and boundaries expansion for Sugar Hill neighborhood:
In Oct.2018, the NW neighborhood association voted to change its name to
Sugar Hill neighborhood to recognize and honor its African American
heritage, and to expand it boundaries to the west and north, Stone
Avenue and Grant Road north of Lee Street.
The below is a brief summary of the NWNA boundary. The City, Department of Neighborhood Resources, provided this information, February 2007.
The NWNA registered 31 October 1996 with the City as a recognized neighborhood association. The 1996 boundaries were as follows.
North: Grant Road
East: Euclid Avenue
South: Lester Street
West: 6th Avenue
EI
Cortez Heights splits from the NWNA. EI Cortez registered 26 Jan 1999
with the City as a recognized neighborhood association. The NWNA new
1999 boundaries were as follows.
North: Grant Road/Seneca Street
East: 4th /Euclid Avenues
South: Lester Street
West: 6th Avenue
In June 2004, the NWNA voted to reduce the boundaries. The 2004 boundaries were as follows.
North: Grant Road/Seneca Street changed to SAHUARO STREET /SENECA STREET
East: Euclid changed to FIRST AVENUE
South: Lester Street
West: 6th Avenue
On 7 May 2005, the NWNA vote voted to expand the boundaries. The 2005 to present the NWNA boundaries are as follows.
North: Seneca Street (south side), north on 4th Avenue to Sahuaro Street (both sides)
East: First Avenue (west side)
South: Lester Street to LEE STREET (NORTH SIDE) West: 6th Avenue (east side, including Mansfield Park) Sample stories from Sugar Hill (provided by Armando Vargas)
239 E Elm ST (construction about 1948) former home of the Turner family, Dr. Turner
Sugar Hill Water Tower
DDS, hosted at his home the African American Jazz players/musicians and other African American entertainers in the 1950's and 1960's because these entertainers were not allow to stay in the hotel/motels along Miracle Mile Strip and Drachman where they were entertaining -- Tucson Inn, Executive Inn, Hilton, etc. Carlton and Carl Bowdry, father and son, before they both passed away five or more years ago, shared with me numerous names of these entertainers. One of the names I can remember was Dizzy Gillespie. The late Dr. Turner's son, Joel V., is also a DDS. The son's former office was on the SW corner of Grant/4th AV. I do not know if the son has a new dental office location. A few of the Sugar Hill residents confirmed verbally the Turner family hosted these entertainers
