Tumamoc Hill
| Tumamoc Hill | |
|---|---|
View across the Tucson Basin towards Tumamoc Hill (left) and "A" Mountain (center) | |
| Highest point | |
| Prominence | 3,108 ft (947 m) |
| Coordinates | 32°12′46″N 111°00′22″W / 32.21278°N 111.00611°W |
| Naming | |
| Etymology | from Tohono O'odham Cemamagĭ Doʼag 'Horned lizard mountain' |
| Geography | |
| Parent range | Tucson Mountains |
Tumamoc Hill (O'odham: Cemamagĭ Doʼag Horned lizard mountain) is a butte located immediately west of "A" Mountain and downtown Tucson, Arizona. It is home to many radio, television, and public safety transmitters. The 860-acre ecological reserve and U.S. National Historic Landmark was established by the Carnegie Institution in 1903. The University of Arizona (UA) owns a 340-acre (1.4 km2) preserve and leases another 509 acres (2.06 km2) as a research and education facility. The Steward Observatory maintains a small astronomical observatory with a 20-inch (510 mm) telescope on the hill. Besides being a prominent landmark, Tumamoc Hill has a long and varied history, and is currently an important site for ecological and anthropological research as well as a refuge and a recreational option for the people of Tucson. Part of the University of Arizona, the Desert Laboratory is located on Tumamoc.