In 1975 residents of Corona de Tucson realized the need for fire protection in their isolated little community. Through hard work and incredible tenacity those pioneers founded the Corona de Tucson Fire District. Manning a 1947 fire engine, the retired senior-citizen volunteers watched over the safety of their neighbors. In 1980 IBM donated a vehicle for use as a rescue truck and the District had its first Basic Life Support unit. Emergency Medical Technicians provided pre-hospital medical care. The first women joined the company at this time. Six years later Corona added Paramedics and vital Advanced Life Support. Construction of the first firehouse was completed in 1983.
CDTFD has come a long way since those early days. The Department now mans 2 well-equipped fire houses. Firehouse #2 was completed in 2008 and received a coveted LEED gold award for green energy use. The Firefighter/medics are no longer volunteers, although most are residents of the village. The members train constantly on new and advanced fire techniques for fire control. The firefighters are frequently called upon to use the jaws-of-life to free people trapped in cars and are skilled at swift-water rescue. The Department does fuel reduction burning in the District when it is necessary. They have responded with equipment and personnel to every major wild fire in Arizona. The Uniform Fire Code was adopted by voters in the District in 2001 and the Department hired a Fire Inspector, accredited by the State, to ensure area builders are in compliance with safety codes and restrictions.
The men and women on the Department are a vital part of this small community. After the tragic events of 9/11, the members painted a huge American Flag on the stationhouse roof to show support for the DMAFB pilots involved in the hostilities in Afghanistan. An aerial photo of the flag taken by one of the pilots was featured in the base newspaper. The Annual Holiday Food Drive collects and donates necessities and toys to several local charities.
Another driving force in our community is McCulloch-Wagner Post 109 of the American Legion. Organized in 1978, and originally named “John F. Kennedy Post 109” in honor of President John F Kennedy’s WWII Patrol Torpedo (PT) Boat. The Post was incorporated in 1983 and renamed after 2 esteemed veterans from our area. The 5-acre parcel where the Post is now located was purchased and the original building was situated on the grounds in 1984. Over the years the facilities have been expanded and improved and the current Post building is a far cry from the original structure.
In 1980, the Ladies Auxiliary was organized. The ladies held Trail Rides in the Santa Rita Mountains to raise funds for the Post. The rides began early in the morning with breakfast prepared over an open fire. The riders stopped for a chuck wagon lunch served by the Auxiliary members at Fagan Pond. The gals were responsible, in large part, for the annual Veterans’ Day Parade and Celebration that was the high point of the year for the members.
The F-4E Phantom Jet that graces the Legion Post grounds where it is on permanent display, is dedicated to all men and women who served in our Armed Forces. This aircraft flew in Vietnam out of Danang. Then, it was transferred to Hill AFB and was repainted and refurbished and joined the ranks of the Air Force precision flying Thunderbirds. The plane flew in air shows in all 50 states and in Canada. The Air Force retired the F-4s in 1991 and the aircraft was relocated to the storage center at Davis-Monthan AFB. The Post performs periodic maintenance on the bird to ensure it suitably represents its illustrious history.
The Santa Rita Golf Course that was part of the original development in 1962 was purchased by Diamond Ventures, then sold to a golf consortium out of Dallas, Texas. The company informed the community that the course would be closed, a sad event for our village as the Santa Rita Golf Course and the Tin-Cup Lounge were an integral part of life here for nearly 50 years. Fortunately, HGM Consulting and Harold Vaubel have taken on the ownership and management of our golf course, and we are delighted to welcome them and wish them the best in their endeavors.
Corona de Tucson changes, grows, loses some ground, recovers and remains dear to the hearts of most of the people who live here. The local Community Association welcomes additional information about our little village. You may email deadlass14@msn.com or call 762‑5555.
