What's With That? The Tucson Oddity Quiz
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Whether it's a piece of art, a historic remnant, an unfinished building or folklore about Tucson, the city has plenty of odd features that pique curiosity. Choose an answer and click the "Next" button to reveal the answer. There is only one correct answer for each question. Click "View Answer" link to learn more about each oddity.
- 1.
What popular chain restaurant has this two-story Tyrannosaurus rex replica loomed over since 1993?
- A.
Applebee's
- B.
Burger King
- C.
McDonald's
- D.
Taco Bell
Correct Answer
C. McDonald'sExplanation
The two-story Tyrannosaurus rex was installed by Michelle and Michael Retzer, who bought the McDonald's restaurant at 6651 E. Tanque Verde Road in the mid-1990's. Read more about this Tucson oddityRate this question:
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- 2.
Ralph's Service Station in Armory Park, built around 1929, was the first prefabricated gas station in Tucson. How come, then, it fell into foreclosure eight years after it opened?
- A.
Arson
- B.
Death in the family
- C.
Lack of business
- D.
It ran out of gas
Correct Answer
C. Lack of businessExplanation
Although the Great Depression was a factor, the station's location was the primary reason for its demise. Both streets at the intersection were unpaved, and the majority of traffic traveled down Sixth Avenue. "There wasn't any real traffic on South Fourth Avenue," Ralph Montijo Jr., whose father operated the station, said. "My dad probably picked the worst intersection to build a gas station." Read more about this Tucson oddityRate this question:
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- 3.
When this Foothills-neighborhood tower was commissioned in 1966 by Mexican architect Juan Warner Baz, what was it intended to be?
- A.
Climbing wall
- B.
Fountain
- C.
Tower of fire
- D.
Vase
Correct Answer
B. FountainExplanation
The tower, which stands on the north side of the intersection of East River Road and North Via Entrada, was to have water fill its hollow interior and flow off the top of each of the tiers of block and then cascade down the sides. Unfortunately, the fountain became a car wash for when the wind blew, and the water feature was disconnected.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What local utility is responsible for this building shell located at North Stone Avenue and West Prince Road?
- A.
Pima County Public Works
- B.
Southwest Gas
- C.
Tucson Electric Power
- D.
Tucson Water
Correct Answer
C. Tucson Electric PowerExplanation
This building is all that remains of a Tucson Electric Power substation. TEP stopped using the site in the 1990s, and the property was subsequently sold. Read more about this Tucson oddityRate this question:
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- 5.
Despite its soft-serve ice cream cone appearance, this building at 648 N. Stone Ave. was never a sweet shop. It was a gas station. According to its owner, Lupita Shestko-Montiel, in which Tucson-filmed movie does it make a brief cameo?
- A.
"Almost Famous"
- B.
"Revenge of the Nerds"
- C.
"Stir Crazy"
- D.
"¡Three Amigos!"
Correct Answer
C. "Stir Crazy"Explanation
The art deco service station became a Union 76 Station in 1973, and can be viewed in a scene from the 1980 movie, "Stir Crazy," which starred Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. The station closed in 1981. Read more about this Tucson oddityRate this question:
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- 6.
Name the Tucson business that uses this neon beauty in its logo.
- A.
El Guero Canelo
- B.
Kingfisher
- C.
Lucky Wishbone
- D.
The Shelter
Correct Answer
C. Lucky WishboneExplanation
Nicknamed 'The Bone,' this neon sign at Lucky Wishbone's North Swan Road location has a strobe-like flash, and was erected at the site in 1953 by Arizona Neon. Due to Tucson's sign code, a burned out bulb on the sign's lower right-hand sign cannot be replaced. Read more about this Tucson oddityRate this question:
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- 7.
This brick structure near Interstate 10 and Ina Road conceals a staircase that formerly led up to what type of attraction?
- A.
Bungee jump
- B.
Rock-climbing wall
- C.
Roller coaster
- D.
Water slide
Correct Answer
D. Water slideExplanation
Longtime Tucsonans might remember three water slides were once at the former Sportspark, now known as Mike Jacob Sports Park. The 1,100 feet of tubing can now be found at Marana's Breakers Water Park. Pima County, which owns the tower, plans to demolish the obsolete tower at some point. Read more about this Tucson oddityRate this question:
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- 8.
Why did the owner of The Original Shed and Garage Company, 3424 S. Campbell Ave., place this truck on top of one of his sheds?
- A.
He wanted to show the sturdiness of his company's sheds.
- B.
Hey, it draws attention to his business, doesn't it?
- C.
No one can miss this landmark.
- D.
All of the above.
Correct Answer
D. All of the above.Explanation
"The idea was just to draw attention and show that our sheds are strong. It brings us some business. People remember it because it's kind of an oddity," Owner Spencer Brown said. "If customers are looking for us, we just say that we're the guys with the truck along Kino." Read more about this Tucson oddityRate this question:
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- 9.
It may look like a church, but this white structure is really a nondenominational monument to what Tucson-fave activity?
- A.
Cycling
- B.
Hula hooping
- C.
Mountain climbing
- D.
Roller skating
Correct Answer
A. CyclingExplanation
This 22-foot-tall sculpture on Granada Ave. is a memorial for cyclists killed on Tucson streets, but has also served as a site for a wedding and other celebrations. Constructed of hundreds of bike frames, wheels and rims, the Bike Church was completed on Aug. 14, 2009. Read more about this Tucson oddityRate this question:
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- 10.
What was once monitored from this Rillito River-area watchtower?
- A.
Cow migration patterns
- B.
Train locations
- C.
Water levels
- D.
Weather conditions
Correct Answer
D. Weather conditionsExplanation
Many years ago, farmers relied on human eyes in these watchtowers to spot any potential weather hazards. Five towers were built along a bend in the nearby Rillito River in the 1950s for this purpose, but the last remaining one is now occupied by Arizona Exterminating Co. at 3149 E. Prince Road. Read more about this Tucson oddityRate this question:
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.jpg "When this Foothills-neighborhood tower was commissioned in 1966 by Mexican architect Juan Warner Baz, what was it intended to be?")
.jpg "Name the Tucson business that uses this neon beauty in its logo.")
.jpg "Why did the owner of The Original Shed and Garage Company, 3424 S. Campbell Ave., place this truck on top of one of his sheds?")
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Feb 16, 2012Quiz Created by
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