Tubac & Tumacácori

Lovely names, eh?  Tubac had a historic presidio-the first fort built in what is now Arizona, (by the Spanish) but we passed it by for the artist's shops;  but more for freeing up time to visit the Tumacácori  Historical Park. 

Tumacácori National Historic Park preserves the ruins of a Spanish church, convent, orchard, etc. It was established by the Jesuits in the 1600's near a Pima Indian Village.  Later the king of Spain gave the mission to the Franciscians. The structures still remaining today are from that era.   

Entrance to Tumacácori Historical Park 



Adobe church begun in the 1700's and never finished.




Interior of the church, looking toward the front, at Tumacácori 



Interior of the church, Tumacácori 



Remains of the convent where the fathers lived, Tumacácori 






Copy of the Spanish map of the mountains of Mexico & Arizona
all part of Spain at that point in time.

 The museum had excellent displays, including the above map.  The orchard is being replanted with species that were available then.  An irrigation channel brought water from the Santa Cruz river to the mission.  The cathedral/church was never completed due to Indian raids and change of governments.
Helen