A presidio was a Spanish colonial frontier military fort erected to secure and defend Spain’s claim to territories it occupied in the Western Hemisphere, especially in the American Southwest in the 16th, 17th, and 18th Centuries.

Scholars and mariners had known for hundreds of years that the world was a globe. But only educated guesses could be made about the size of the circumference. So when Columbus sailed west from Europe in 1492, he was pretty confident he would reach China, but he didn’t know how long it would take to get there. But instead of China, he collided with the North American continent, an enormous land mass completely unknown to Europeans (except for some Norse who kept their knowledge of the continent to themselves).

This was the Age of Discovery, 15th Century to 17th Century, in which European nations felt entitled to explore, discover, conquer, colonize, Christianize, and enslave regions around the globe. And the Western Hemisphere was a rich prize. Conqueror (“Conquistador”) was a title of honor.

Hernando Cortez landed in what would become Mexico in 1519. By 1521 he had conquered Mexico City. Spanish conquest and colonization spread completely through Central America, about half of South America, and throughout the American Southwest. Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821. That’s 300 years! The details of this development and history and its severe negative impact on Indigenous populations make an interesting study.

Tubac Presidio was established on the Santa Cruz River in 1752. The presidio had fluctuating fortunes and sometimes was more or less abandoned. But the town of Tubac still exists. It is best known now as an artists’ colony, population about 1,200.

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park was created in 1958. The layout of the original presidio is outlined in rocks on the grounds. But remnants of the original foundation are preserved in a unique underground facility. There are various interesting outside displays, an 1885 schoolhouse, and an extensive, very well-done museum.

The most prized possession in the Frank and Gay Griffin Museum is the “Washington” printing press which arrived in Tubac in 1858. The very first newspaper printed in what is now Arizona was done on that very machine in 1859. A video in the printing display depicts just how much work was involved back then in the important task of newspaper publishing.

Otero Hall contains the artwork of William Harry Ahrendt, several historically significant old saddles, and a unique renovated “ambulance” (stagecoach), also of historical significance.

Stroll the grounds and the museum and be easily transported back to the late 18th Century.

Enjoy my video of my visit to Tubac Presidio State Historic Park!
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Specifically, I have a direct link at the end of this video to my Old West video playlist on the channel.
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Jim

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