Tubac Presidio State Historic Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tubac Presidio State Historic Park |
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Entrance to Tubac Presidio State Historic Park
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 Tubac Presidio State Historic Park
Location in Arizona
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| Location | Santa Cruz, Arizona, United States |
| Elevation | 3,500 ft (1,100 m) |
| Established | 1958 |
| Named for | Presidio San Ignacio de Tubac |
| Governing body | Arizona State Parks |
| Website | https://www.tubacpresidio.org/ |
Tubac Presidio State Historic Park is in Tubac, Arizona, USA. It protects the old ruins of the Presidio San Ignacio de Tubac and other historic buildings. This park shows how people have lived in this Southern Arizona town over many years.
At the park, you can find a museum and several historic spots. There's also an amazing underground exhibit. It shows the original foundations of the Tubac Presidio, found by archeologists. You can also enjoy a picnic area. The park hosts many fun events all year. These include Anza Days in October and living history shows called Los Tubaqueños. These shows happen on Sundays from October to March. You can also join archeological tours and nature walks.
The Tubac Presidio was the first park in the Arizona state park system. It was going to close in 2010 because of budget cuts. But local people and the Tubac Historical Society saved it! Now, The Friends of the Presidio group runs the park. It is staffed by dedicated volunteers. To learn more, visit their official website: https://www.tubacpresidio.org/ or check out their Facebook page!
Contents
Discovering Tubac's Past
Early Spanish Settlements in Arizona
Long ago, the Spanish Empire wanted to expand into new lands. They built Catholic missions across what is now Mexico and the southwestern United States. One mission was set up near Tubac in 1691 at Tumacácori. Tubac was then a small village of the Pima people. It became a farm and ranch for the mission.
Spanish settlers started moving to the Tubac area in the 1730s. About 20 years later, in 1751, the Pimas, led by Luis of Saric, rebelled against the Spanish. The settlement at Tubac was destroyed. A year later, the Pimas gave up. To protect the town from more rebellions, the Presidio San Ignacio de Tubac was built. Tubac became the very first European settlement in what is now Arizona.
Exploring the Anza Expedition
The Spanish were worried about a Russian fort being built north of the San Francisco Bay area. So, they sent Juan Bautista de Anza on an important journey. His mission was to find a land route to San Francisco. He also needed to set up a fort and mission there. His expedition passed through Tubac in early 1774.
In 1776, the soldiers from Tubac were moved north to Tucson. This left Tubac unprotected from Apache raids. Because of this, the presidio was reopened in 1787. This time, it had Pima/O'odham Indian troops and Spanish officers.
Tubac's Journey to American Territory
Tubac became part of an independent Mexico in 1821. Then, in 1854, it became part of the United States. This happened because of the Gadsden Purchase. When the Americans arrived, a man named Charles D. Poston came to Tubac. He started the Sonora Exploring and Mining Company.
Poston did many unusual things. He performed marriages and granted divorces. He also officiated baptisms. He even printed his own money to pay his workers! In 1859, he started Arizona's first newspaper. The next year, Tubac was the biggest town in the state. But this good time didn't last. Soldiers from the area were called away to fight in the American Civil War. Tubac was again left open to Apache attacks. Also, the railroad went through Tucson instead of Tubac. Silver was found near Tombstone to the east. These changes meant Tubac would never be as important again.
What to See and Do at the Park
Main Exhibits and Historic Buildings
The most important part of the park's exhibits is the underground display. It shows the foundations of the old presidio. Archeologists from the University of Arizona dug them up in 1974. Visitors can see parts of the presidio's original walls and foundations.
You can also go inside the 1885 schoolhouse. It looks just like it did back then, with desks, chalkboards, and a wood-burning stove. Other buildings at the park include the 1914 Otero Hall. This hall has different exhibitions and a visitor center. There's also the Rojas House, where one family lived for about 100 years.
The park's museum has displays from different times in Tubac's history. These include the American Indian period (before 1752), Spanish Colonial (1752-1821), Mexican Republic (1821-1854), and Anglo Territorial (1854-1912). Next to the park is St. Ann's Church. It was built on the ruins of an older church called Iglésia de Santa Gertrudis. You can also find the start of the Tubac-to-Tumacácori part of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail here.
Special Events and Activities
Every October, the park celebrates Anza Days. This event remembers when Juan Bautista de Anza arrived at the Tubac Presidio. Actors dressed in old costumes ride horses from nearby Tumacácori. They talk about de Anza's trip to San Francisco. Other presentations during the weekend show different time periods in Tubac's history. You can also enjoy mariachi music and cowboy rope tricks!
Images for kids
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Exterior of the Old Tubac Schoolhouse
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Interior of the Old Tubac Schoolhouse
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Interior of Museum at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park
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Patio Exhibits at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park
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Adobe Ruins of Tubac Presidio. Above-ground ruins are from the early 1900s, while below-ground foundations are from the mid- to late 1700s.
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St. Ann's Church (next to park grounds) built on the ruins of the former Iglésia de Santa Gertrudis.
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Underground archeology exhibit of the foundation of the Tubac Presidio.
