Visit the oldest Spanish Colonial presidio site in Arizona.
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In the mid-1700s, Spain established missions and forts across what would become the Southwest United States. Presidio San Ignacio de Tubac was the first to be established in 1752. Today, the park preserves excavated portions of the townsite’s original foundations, walls and plaza, plus other archaeological findings on the presidio grounds. Visitors can also tour three historic structures that were built on-site in the 1800s and 1900s, including Arizona’s second-oldest territorial schoolhouse.
Start at the Museum
Human settlement in this area of the Santa Cruz River Valley dates to the 1500s. The presidio’s on-site museum does an excellent job detailing those human pathways in the fertile river valley. Guided tours of the site reveal innovations in agriculture and cherished cultural traditions that created bonds that live on centuries later. The museum covers a lot of ground, presenting artifacts and stories of Indigenous people, Spanish explorers and Mexican and American settlers. See ancient artifacts such as baskets and tools, plus signs of territorial times such as the first printing press operated in the state in 1859.
Visit Tubac
The village of Tubac has grown from an artist colony to one of Southern Arizona’s most popular daytrip destinations. Visitors still browse the charming town’s art galleries, but today they have many more shopping and dining options that reflect the area’s cultural influences. Buy decorative Mexican imports and enjoy authentic dishes that showcases regional ingredients. Lodging options have expanded too, offering visitors the option of staying at a historic golf resort, charming bed and breakfasts and historic vacation rentals.
Walk Along Ancient Pathways
The presidio site connects to a trailhead of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. Visitors today can hike along the river on a 4.5-mile section of the trail that was part of Bautista’s expedition to the Pacific Ocean that would ultimately result in the founding of San Francisco. This pristine walk connects Tubac to the historic mission site at Tumacácori National Historical Park. Multiple heritage gardens on-site reveal how residents grew and stored food in the fertile river valley for centuries.
