SUMMON the Gatekeeper!

The climate of the Sonoran Desert Region has long been used in promotional literature to attract new residents to southern Arizona. Before evaporative coolers and the invention of air conditioners, summer heat discouraged the in-migration of permanent residents to some extent. Today, however, with much of the region having sunshine for up to 310 days per year, climate continues to be a magnet to people seeking escape from cold, gray, humid, or snowy winters. This photo was taken near Old Tucson Studios. During the 1950’s, the Western movie era was in full swing nationwide. In the fifties alone, such western classics as Gunfight at the OK Corral (1956), with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold (1957), and Cimarron (1959) with Glenn Ford were filmed at Old Tucson Studios. November 10, 2010