Pedro de Tovar facts for kids

Pedro de Tovar (born in 1501) was a Spanish explorer, soldier, and leader in the new colonies. He was part of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado's big trip. In 1540, Tovar led the first group to search for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola.

Tovar was also the first European to hear about the amazing Grand Canyon. Even though he heard about it, he never actually saw it himself. He also helped Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán conquer Nueva Galicia (a region in modern Mexico). Tovar helped settle the city of Guadalajara and establish Culiacán. Later, he became a local leader, known as an alcalde, in Nueva Galicia and Culiacán.

Pedro de Tovar's Life Story

Tovar was born in 1501. His family, the House of Boca de Huergano, were hidalgos. This meant they were part of the Spanish nobility, but without a special title. Pedro was the brother of Sancho de Tovar. He was also the nephew of Antonio de Mendoza y Pacheco. Antonio was a very important person, serving as the Viceroy of New Spain and Peru.

During his career, Pedro de Tovar became a regidor in Sahagún, a town in León, Spain. A regidor was like a town council member.

Early Adventures in Mexico

In 1531, Tovar joined the troops of Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán. Together, they conquered a region called Nueva Galicia. They also helped found the city of Culiacán in Sinaloa, which is now part of Mexico.

Tovar also helped settle Guadalajara in Jalisco, Mexico. He was one of the first people to live there as a colonist.

Joining Coronado's Expedition

Tovar joined Francisco Vázquez de Coronado's famous expedition in 1541. On this journey, he was given important titles. He became a captain and the alferez mayor, which means he was the chief ensign. This role involved carrying the expedition's flag.

Coronado's group was looking for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola. They first thought these cities were in the land of the Zuni tribe. This was near the Hawikuh territory in New Mexico.

However, the Zuni people did not want the Spanish to enter their lands. So, the two groups fought. Coronado's troops won the battle. After that, the Zuni made a peace agreement with the Spanish. But the Spaniards did not find the gold they were hoping for.

Discovering the Hopi and the Colorado River

About a week later, Coronado sent Tovar and his group to the west. They were still searching for Cibola. During their journey, Tovar's team reached the lands of the Hopi people in Arizona.

Just like the Zuni, the Hopi did not want the Spanish to enter their lands. The Spanish had to fight them. After some Hopi people died in the fight, they surrendered. They then allowed Tovar's group to visit their lands. The Hopi offered gifts as a sign of peace. They also agreed to trade with Tovar's group.

The Hopi did not know about Cibola, and their lands did not have much gold. However, Tovar heard something very interesting. He learned about a very large river to the west of the Hopi lands. This river was the Colorado River. This news really caught his attention.

Since he couldn't find Cibola, Tovar went back to Hawikuh. He told Coronado about the big river near the Hopi lands.

Later Life and Leadership

In 1542, Tovar returned to Culiacán, the city he helped establish. He lived there for the rest of his life. He gained control of two encomiendas near the province. An encomienda was a system where Spanish leaders were given control over groups of native people. These people had to work for them and pay them tribute.

One of Tovar's encomiendas had about a thousand workers. The other had four hundred. The workers had to obey him and pay him tribute, which was common in Spanish America at the time.

By the late 1540s, Tovar took over another encomienda called Anacatarimeto. Later, he also got the one in Mocorito, in Sinaloa. According to historian Richard Flint, Tovar was the alcalde mayor (a chief local official) of Nueva Galicia in 1549. He also served as the alcalde of Culiacán in 1564.

Personal Life

Pedro de Tovar married Francisca de Guzmán. She was the daughter of a governor of Cuba. His grandson, Hernándo de Tovar, later became a priest.

Legacy

• Tovar is known for being the first white person seen by the Hopi people.
• The El Tovar Hotel, built in 1905, was named after him. This hotel is located on the South Rim of Arizona's Grand Canyon.

See also

In Spanish: Pedro de Tovar para niños