[2] Construction on the Catalina Highway began in 1933, owing in large part to the efforts of Frank Harris Hitchcock, publisher of the Tucson Citizen and former Postmaster General of the United States.

In order to create a route to the popular destinations at the summit of Mount Lemmon, Hitchcock spearheaded the effort to bring together the funds and resources to construct an improved road to Summerhaven and nearby facilities.

As a part of the effort, a federal prison camp was established at the foot of the mountains specifically to supply labor for the construction of the highway.

"[citation needed] In 1988, the Federal Lands Highway program began a series of seven projects aimed at significantly improving the roadway, with the assistance of the US Forest Service and Pima County.

The projects were aimed at improving the quality of the roadway and increasing safety for travelers, while minimizing the impact on the visual aspects and natural beauty of the surrounding mountains.

The final project was completed in 2007, at a cost of $15 million, and the road is now much wider and features adequate shoulders, passing areas, and extensive guard rails.

[5] Among the many recreational opportunities in the Coronado National Forest, through which the highway travels, are numerous campgrounds and picnic sites, multi-use trails, and scenic views.