Cotton - our ancient crop that can be reincorporated into Tucson's future
Growing Cotton
Contemporary cotton clothing
In the Tucson area cultivated cotton has been found at archaeological sites dating about 1200 BC
By 1912, the time of Arizona's entry as the 48th state if the Union, there were 5 economic drivers: Copper, Cattle, Cotton, Citrus and Climate.
Cotton was a "cash crop". At that time a new kind of cotton, known as Pima long-staple cotton, started to be grown in the state. Cotton and parts of the plant is used in clothing, for fertilizer, fuel, packing, in paper and cardboard and even insome plastics.Today Arizona remains a leading cotton producing state.
This presents an opportunity to capture the essence of the past and propell it into Tucson's future by imagining how to uniquely rebrand and create cotton products.
Examples:
- Clothing locally made or from Mexico - beautiful, breathable, easy to wear
- A cotton art event - incorporating cotton in the design
- Promote fashion events - encourage a local cotton design industry
- Promote 'sleeping comfort' using 'cotton sheets' at local resorts
- Think a Tucson Cotton terrycloth spa robe with matching slippers
