Tumacácori National Historical Park

Please join us on Saturday, January 29th, at 11:00 a.m. If you have a National Park Pass, entrance is free, and others in the group have guest passes. 1891 I-19 Frontage Rd, Tumacacori-Carmen, AZ 85640

Situated at a cultural crossroads in Arizona’s Santa Cruz River valley, the ruins at Tumacácori National Historical Park have been witness to a long and complicated history in Southern Arizona. Conflict and cooperation both shaped the history of this unique park, where settlers, soldiers, and European missionaries intersected with the native O’odham, Yaqui, and Apache people.

Located on the West side of the Santa Cruz River on Interstate 19 between Tubac and Nogales the site was originally named San José de Tumacácori. This mission was among the twenty-four founded by Jesuit Father Eusebio Francisco Kino in the region the Spanish called the “Pimería Álta,” meaning “land of the upper Pimas”.

This Kino-period mission was founded at a pre-existing native settlement and represents the first mission in southern Arizona.   The native people who lived in the vicinity of Tumacácori called themselves “O’odham,” meaning “people” in their language. The Spanish called the O’odham that they found living along rivers “Pima,” and those that they found living in the desert, “Papago.”

The Site Today
The mission church remains a highly visible landmark in the Santa Cruz Valley. In addition to the church itself, the site includes remains of the following elements:
> Priest’s residence
> Convento, community area
> Granary where food was stored
> Lime kiln where lime was heated to make mortar and plaster
> Sections of re-created orchard with acequia, or irrigation ditch
> Ruins of a cemetery and mortuary chapel, located behind the church
> Reproduction of a ki, or traditional O’odham house

Mission Timeline
In 1691 the site of Mission San Cayetano de Tumacácori was founded on the east bank of the Santa Cruz river by Father Eusebio Kino. The Jesuits arrived from the south via New Spain's West Coast corridor.

A Pima [O’odham) rebellion in 1751 led to the mission being moved to the west side of the river and renamed San José de Tumacácori. A Spanish military garrison, or presidio, was established in nearby Tubac. The presidio was later relocated to Tucson in 1776. For political reasons King Charles III of Spain banished the Jesuits from all Spanish territories in 1767.   The Franciscans took over missionary efforts.

Father Narciso Gutiérrez began constructing a larger church to replace the modest Jesuit structure around 1800. This new structure was intended to mimic the famous Mission San Xavier del Bac near Tucson. Difficulties with funding halted the construction process several times. The bell tower was never capped with its dome. It survives to the present and is preserved as a ruin at the Tumacácori National Historical Park. The mission was abandoned in 1848 after the Apache conflict which put a stop to the growth of the area's economy. The site soon fell into ruin and disrepair.

As the site moved into the 20th Century,  President Theodore Roosevelt declared the site Tumacácori National Monument in 1918 and restoration and stabilization efforts began.

Current state: The restored Mission San José de Tumacácori became part of the new Tumacácori National Historical Park in 1990 and represents the current state.

Tumacácori Visitor Center and Museum
The historic 1937 visitor center building is the main entry point for those visiting the Tumacácori mission grounds. Designed by Scofield Delong, it contains interpretative displays relating to historic missions preserved within the park. The museum building is a fine example of Mission Revival style architecture, with Spanish Colonial Revival details, and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

Historic Anza Trail and Santa Cruz River
Adjacent to mission site is a section of the historic Anza Trail. The 1775–1776 Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition from New Spain to Alta California was the first Spanish overland expedition to claimed but un-colonized upper Las Californias territory. A 4.5 miles (7.2 km) segment of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail lies along the Santa Cruz River between Tumacácori National Historical Park and Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. The six-mile trail connecting the two parks follows the Santa Cruz River through a lush cottonwood-willow riparian forest and mesquite bosque. The river corridor supports a high diversity of plant and bird species within the arid Sonoran Desert region.

Logistics:
Tumacácori National Historical Park is located off Exit 29 of Interstate 19, forty-five miles (80 kilometers) south of Tucson, Arizona, and eighteen miles (26 kilometers) north of Nogales, Arizona.

The Visitor Center and Museum:
1891 East Frontage Road
Tumacacori, Arizona, 85640
520-377-5060

Free parking is available along East Frontage Road
Entrance Fee - Per Person - $10.00
Hours:  Visitor’s Center and Mission grounds: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm  / 7 days a week
Anza Trail:   24/7 access from trailheads [no admission fee required]

Note: The historic structures are contained behind a compound wall and not readily visible from outside the park.  Dogs are not permitted within the grounds and buildings, though they are permitted on the Anza Trail.

Nearby restaurant
Wisdom's Café
1931 East Frontage Road,  I-19
(520) 398-2397

Sources:
National Park Service :  Arizona: Tumacacori National Historical Park
https://www.nps.gov/articles/tumacacori.htm

National Park Foundation
https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/whats-story-behind-tumacacori