Tumacácori National Historical Park

if you happen to be this close to the Mexican border than I’d have to say there are a lot of great things to see. Was a blessing to live somewhere with so many varieties of birds here wow! First time living in the desert and the bird live is the closest to Alaska than any state I have ever lived in … the city of Tubac is close by and though small a nice discovery to spend some time in —

If you are interested in checking out an authentic old Southwest Mission — this is the place for you. Iconic to say the least. It is a museum now but worth the visit if you have the time. Bring a camera!

This is a little gem about 45 minutes south of Tucson Historical little mission, beautiful little church. There are not too many older places to visit in Arizona and this was a wonderful trip back through history!

45 mi south of Tucson, this historical site is unfortunately often overlooked. Founded by Jesuit priest, Father Kino, in 1691. The mission was abandoned for a time after 1751, but in 1753, the church of the Mission San Jose de Tumacacori (pronounced too-​mah-​COCK-​oree) began. In 1768, Spanish King Carlos III ordered the Jesuits expelled for political reasons, and replaced them with Franciscans. They took over the mission, along with the problems their predecessors experienced (Apache hostility, disease, lack of government support.) By 1786 only a hundred Indians remained at Tumacacori.
Around 1800 construction on a large church to replace the modest Jesuit structure, but poverty & Mexican wars for independence slowed the effort. When a Mexican decree was issued (1828) forcing all Spanish-​born residents to leave, the resident priest left. A series of Apache raids and hard winter drove the last residents away.
With the Gadsen Purchase in 1853, Tumacacori became part of the U.S.
Remains of the mission are rough, but one can get a good sense of what the dream was. Built of adobe, it is surprising cool inside on a warm day. Painting still remains on the apse walls, and the floating pulpit is still in place. The bell tower was never finished. Guided tours are informative. Only $ 3 entrance fee — well worth it to see this gem.

What is not to like about this amazing park? Make the drive out here and spent a good part of a day at Tumacacori and nearby Tubac. Roam the grounds and learn about this mission, and go inside and be amazed at the incredible condition it has stayed in (how has that magnificent dome not caved in so many years ago?), The cemetery is amazing. Super museum, staff who know their stuff, and history and viewing galore. Take the river walk and see the Santa Cruz (it flows with water!) and enjoy the greenery, the wildlife, and diversity of this area. I remember coming here in the past years and years ago and there would be people preparing tortillas and beans outside. There’s just a lot of stuff happening here!

This small National Historical Park is a true gem. The National Park Service staff are friendly and incredibly enthusiastic about their small corner of history. Since the place was abandoned before it was fully complete, one is left with more of a feeling as too how difficult it must have been for the Catholic Missionaries in 17^th century as well as the native peoples they were trying to «save». Walking the grounds and thinking about what it must have been like to live out here in 1690 with no air conditioning, miles from nowhere and under constant fear of attack from roaming gangs of Apaches was awe inspiring. The experience is well outside of the usual stereotype of the history of the South West and well worth the stop

This is very small facility. It is very well done. A nice slice of AZ history.
We walked the Anza trail for a mile or so — I highly recommend it. Very nice trail, deep in the river savannah with trees, grass, etc. We did not see much wildlife or birds but saw signs.
The staff was super nice and pleasant. They have a nice gift shop. I would have bought something but $ 23 for a tshirt is a bit much …

Anyone who’s been following me for a while knows I’m a sucker for historical landmarks and national monuments. Tumacacori does not disappoint in this regard. Run by the NPS, it is the best arranged, planned, and executed mission site I’ve ever been to. The lobby/​information area is neat and smartly designed. The ranger on duty was a font of good knowledge about the site (even down to identifying the various bugs on the trail) and was friendly to boot. The site has a well-​maintained sidewalk and the buildings are kept in a semi-​decayed but tidy state. Most interesting is the church, with the outer garden another nice spot to hang out. The museum is very well-​presented, which totally impressed me. Best of all, the entrance fee is only $ 5 and lasts you seven days. $ 5 well spent, in my opinion.
A great stop over. Worth putting it on your itinerary, esp. if you’ve just been to San Xavier and want to compare. Be aware that there is an immigration check point going back north on I-​19 toward Tucson, but it’s no big deal.

This is a small place but well restored and the little museum in the visitor’s center is well done and has some interesting exhibits. The grounds are well-​maintained and the guide they give you is very informative. Also, while we were there, a woman was making fresh tortillas and carnitas with salsa out on a grill. It was a great little treat!
I would bring visitors to AZ here if I was down in Tubac area again. There were also tons of birds so we go to sit at one of the picnic tables and watch the cardinals and vermillion flycatchers.

A lovely federally run park. The centerpiece is of course the ruin of the mission. Take the free tour and learn about what it was like in the 18^th Century in Arizona. If you are a photographer, you will love the light and the texture and the openness of the site. Definitely worth the drive from Tubac and probably even worth a drive from Phoenix.

This is a small but interesting National Historic Park, located a short drive down I-​19 South of Tucson. I lived here for 9 years before I finally ventured within the adobe walls that surround this Mission. Once I decided to take the tour, I was pleasantly surprised by the history and general knowledge that the docent offered. The tour was free after admission. Actually, when I went, admission for the day was also free, but I believe it is typically $ 5 per person.
The Mission itself is not quite as impressive as San Xavier, but still, it falls into the Mission-​style of architecture that so many love.
Nice gift shop with a good selection of your random national Park goods, but also with a bunch of excellent historical books.
Really just a place worth a visit. Check it out for yourself!

It is a well preserved piece of our nation’s history. Despite missions being a form of ideological and political imperialism they are an important foundation of how the modern day southwest was formed. The tour has a 14 minute video talking about the basic history of the mission and then from there you can tour the different buildings and even the cemetery. There is also a small museum that has life size figures of monks (which is always a little creepy) as well as artifacts of both the mission and local tribes. For all you history buffs and readers this place also has books on the Basque population, Native Americans and the different missions in the area. It is a drive from Phoenix/​Scottsdale but well worth spending the day in the area

I am drawn to ruins whether they are abandoned buildings in rust-​belt cities, Mayan pyramids in Mexico, grain elevators in Buffalo, or cliff dwellings in the US southwest. Even though I’m not religious, I’m utterly seduced by stucco and adobe Spanish churches that are hundreds of years old.
That’s why the former Mission San José de Tumacácori, established in 1691, haunts me. There is nothing left now but the well-​preserved bones of an elegant structure that still clings to the Sonoran desert landscape and radiates in the bright sun. It is a powerful sight. Entering through the large wooden doors onto the smooth stone tile floor, the interior will fold itself around you in its simplicity and whisper to you.