Tumacácori National Historical Park

Located 50 miles south of Tucson in the Santa Cruz River Valley, Tumacácori National Historical Park protects the ruins of three Spanish mission communities, most notably the well-preserved Mission San Jose de Tumacácori. Established in 1691 by Jesuit padre Eusebio Kino, this is the oldest Jesuit mission site in southern Arizona. The ruins bear witness to a history of conflict and cooperation, both of which helped shape the history of this unique park where settlers, soldiers, and European missionaries interested with the native O’odham, Yaqui, and Apache people. Restoration and stabilization efforts began in 1908 when the site was declared Tumacácori National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt. In 1990 it became part of the new Tumacácori National Historical Park. Here are some pictures from our visit.