Drexel Heights Arizona is named after financier Francis Anthony Drexel. Drexel owned a large part of the area in the late 1800,s. He is the father of Saint Katherine Marie Drexel. St. Katherine ( also known as Mother Drexel ) was the founder of many chapels, convents and monasteries throughout the United States. From 1888 to 1955 she spent $20,000,000 of her own wealth to do this. Mother Drexel was instrumental in building Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People, Sister mission for Native Americans, St. Katherine Indian School and many many more. In 1915 she was instrumental in founding Xavier University and Xavier Prep in New Orleans.

Drexel Heights, Arizona is a subburb of Tuscon located in Pima County. Drexel is a census designated place. Pima county was one of the four original counties in Arizona. It was created in 1864 when land aquired by the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico in 1853 became the Arizona Territory. The town of Drexel Heights has a population nearing 36,000 residents. The city has a land size of almost 20 square miles. 15% of the population is below the poverty level. Drexel is loaded with vacation rentals from condos to mountain cabins. The city and surrounding area are loaded with hiking trails and camping. Two of the best biking/hiking areas are Brown Mountain Loop and Starr Pass.