The Notch neighborhood, also called the Tucson Historic Notch, was in a sense created in 1930, when Jane Wentworth applied to the federal government for a homestead on which to raise livestock. In 1933, President Herbert Hoover established the larger Saguaro National Monument. Federal officials had various plans to buy or condemn Wentworth's land to be part of the Monument. Those plans all fell through and Wentworth sold the 640 acres in 1946, leaving the Notch in private hands to develop over time in residential lots of at least 3.3 acres. The name "The Notch" comes from the square mile "notch" excluded from the northwest corner of the Monument. In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed legislation to make Saguaro National Park America's 52nd national park.
In 2001, Notch residents organized The Historic Notch Neighborhood Association to develop a sense of community among the residents, respond to issues impacting the environment, character and nature of the neighborhood and Saguaro National Park area. Over the next two decades, the Association, led by respected, long-time resident Karen Reifschneider, successfully opposed attempts at commercial development, initiated citizen science projects, held regular nature education programs, and published newsletters. In 2024, after Karen's death, the association reorganized and renamed as The Historic Notch Preservation Association with a mostly new Board to continue the purpose of preserving The Notch as a unique, naturally beautiful and quiet place to live in the Sonoran desert.
Today, the Historic Notch Preservation Association is still a nonprofit neighborhood organization dedicated to maintaining and preserving the integrity, character, and semi-rural nature of our unique community known as The Notch. We aim to foster a strong sense of community, protect the area’s historic and environmental identity, and stay ahead of zoning and code changes that could threaten the Notch’s low-density, suburban ranch character.
Importantly, the Association is not a Homeowners Association (HOA). We do not manage or regulate anyone’s property, set architectural or appearance standards, or enforce county ordinances. Our role is preservation—not property control.
President: Lindsay Moss - resident since 1986
Vice President: Bob DeLaney - resident since 2007
Treasurer: Cathy Griffin - resident since 2011
Secretary: Nancy Roth - resident since 2010
Director: Kay Heffentrager - resident since 1991
Director: Carol O'Dell - resident since 1956
Director: Jim Reifschneider - resident since 1995
Director: Susan Scerbo - resident since 2023
Director: Hannah Smith - resident since 2022
Director: Lauren Welch
Director: Leahrae Stewart
Both groups serve The Notch with different missions:
The Historic Notch Preservation Association focuses on preserving the area’s semi-rural SR-zoned character by monitoring and responding to zoning, development, and environmental issues. Its goal is to maintain The Notch as a low-density, naturally beautiful desert neighborhood.
Neighborhood Watch focuses on crime deterrence by encouraging neighbors to observe and report suspicious activity to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. It is a community-based crime-prevention program in which neighbors partner with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department to observe and report suspicious activity, reducing opportunities for crime. The program strengthens community ties, encourages better home security, and helps keep neighborhoods safer and more informed. Participants act as the “eyes and ears” of their community—never intervening directly—while the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers provide training, support, and optional extra patrols. Anyone in Pima County may join or start a Neighborhood Watch group by contacting the Sheriff’s Department. GAIN (“Getting Arizonans Involved in Neighborhoods”) is the statewide crime-prevention effort associated with this program.
We've started an Education Committee and a History Committee. if you are interested in serving on these committees, starting a new committee or serving on the Board, please email historicnotch@gmail.com.