Presidio of San Ignacio de Tubac, Arizona
The Presidio of San Ignacio de Tubac, Arizona, often referred to simply as Fort Tubac, stands as a testament to the complex and often turbulent history of the American Southwest. Established in 1752 by the Spanish Army in what is now Tubac, Arizona, the presidio embodies the collision of cultures, the struggle for control, and the enduring spirit of those who sought to make a life in this challenging landscape. For over half a century prior to its founding, the Roman Catholic Church, spearheaded by the Jesuit order, and the Spanish military served as the principal agents of Spanish expansion across New Spain, a vast territory encompassing much of present-day Mexico and the southwestern United States.
The story of Tubac is inextricably linked to the efforts of the Jesuit explorer and missionary, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino. From 1687 to 1711, Father Kino dedicated himself to establishing missions throughout the region, aiming to Christianize and exert control over the indigenous populations. Among his most notable achievements was the founding of Mission San Cayetano de Tumacacori in 1691, located just a few miles south of the future site of the Presidio of San Ignacio de Tubac, Arizona. At the time, Tubac itself was a small Piman village, which gradually transformed into a mission farm and ranch, supplying the burgeoning mission system with agricultural goods and livestock.
As the 1730s dawned, Spanish colonists began to migrate to the Tubac area in increasing numbers. Attracted by the fertile lands along the Santa Cruz River, these settlers implemented irrigation techniques and cultivated the land, establishing farms and ranches that further altered the region’s landscape and its relationship with its original inhabitants. The colonists’ success in agriculture and livestock production contributed to the growing Spanish presence, laying the groundwork for the eventual establishment of a permanent military stronghold. This Presidio of San Ignacio de Tubac, Arizona would become crucial in maintaining Spanish control.
However, the burgeoning Spanish presence was not universally welcomed. Many of the native peoples in the region grew increasingly discontent with the gradual erosion of their autonomy and the encroachment upon their ancestral lands. Several treaties, initially intended to facilitate mining and livestock grazing by the Spanish, inadvertently fueled a surge of new settlers. This influx often led to localized conflicts and instances of violence perpetrated by Spanish settlers against the indigenous population. This simmering resentment ultimately ignited a widespread rebellion.
The catalyst for this uprising was a Pima chief named Luis of Saric. Driven by a multitude of grievances, Luis masterminded and led a bloody revolt in November 1751, known as the Pima Revolt. The revolt was characterized by widespread destruction, with the small settlement at Tubac bearing the brunt of the Pima warriors’ fury. Homes were razed, livestock was driven off, and the nascent Spanish community was effectively dismantled. The violence served as a stark reminder of the precariousness of Spanish authority and the urgent need for a stronger military presence. The Spanish response would be the Presidio of San Ignacio de Tubac, Arizona.
Following a decisive battle and the subsequent surrender of the Piman Indians, the Spanish authorities moved swiftly to consolidate their control. In June 1752, they formally established the Presidio of San Ignacio de Tubac, Arizona. Strategically situated approximately four miles north of the Tumacacori Mission, the presidio was garrisoned by 50 soldiers under the command of Captain Juan Thomas de Belderrain. Their mission was multifaceted: to protect the vital Tumacacori and Guevavi Missions, safeguard the Rancheria of Arivaca, and extend their protection to even more remote settlements, including the distant San Xavier.
As the first Spanish colonial garrison in Arizona, the Presidio of San Ignacio de Tubac, Arizona faced constant threats from hostile Apache Indians. The Apache, renowned for their fierce independence and skill in warfare, presented a formidable challenge to Spanish authority. Despite these challenges, the presidio managed to maintain its presence, and by 1766, the post still housed approximately 50 officers and soldiers. Furthermore, around 40 families had settled in the vicinity of the presidio, drawn by the promise of protection and the opportunity to build a life in this frontier region.
A significant shift occurred in 1767 when the Jesuits were expelled from all Spanish possessions. This expulsion was part of a broader trend of increasing secularization and centralization of power within the Spanish Empire. The Franciscans, another prominent Catholic order, stepped in to fill the void left by the Jesuits, assuming responsibility for the spiritual welfare of the missions and the surrounding communities.
One of the most celebrated figures associated with Tubac is Captain Juan Bautista de Anza II, a soldier and explorer whose name is etched in the annals of Southwestern history. De Anza’s connection to the region began during the Pima Revolt when he joined the volunteer soldiers who sought to quell the uprising. By the age of 19, his exceptional abilities and dedication had earned him a promotion to lieutenant, stationed at the Presidio in Fronteras, located just south of the present-day international border. In 1759, following the sudden death of his commander, De Anza assumed the esteemed position of Captain of the Presidio of San Ignacio de Tubac, Arizona.
As Captain, De Anza played a pivotal role in defending the royal settlements and presidios against the persistent threat of Apache and Seri Indian raids. His leadership and tactical acumen were instrumental in maintaining a semblance of peace and stability in the region. However, De Anza’s ambitions extended beyond mere defense. In 1774, he sought permission to undertake an expedition to prove the feasibility of a land route from Tubac to Monterey in Alta California. The Viceroy of New Spain, Don Antonio Bucareli, recognizing the strategic importance of such a route, granted De Anza his request.
On January 8, 1774, Captain Juan Bautista de Anza embarked on his historic journey from the Presidio of San Ignacio de Tubac, Arizona. His expedition comprised a diverse group, including three Padres, 20 soldiers, 11 servants, 35 mules, 65 cattle, 140 horses, and a knowledgeable guide. The expedition followed a southern route along the Rio Altar in Sonora y Sinaloa, then paralleled the modern Mexico-California border, eventually crossing the Colorado River at its confluence with the Gila River. On March 22, 1774, De Anza reached Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, near the California coast, and on April 19, he arrived in Monterey, the capital of Alta California. By late May 1774, he had successfully returned to Tubac, having proven the viability of the overland route.
Just a few months later, in October 1774, De Anza was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and tasked with leading a large group of colonists to Alta California. This expedition, which commenced in October 1775, included hundreds of colonists from the provinces of Sinaloa and Sonora, along with 60 individuals from Tubac. Over 1,000 head of cattle, horses, and mules were gathered to transport food supplies and tools, provide sustenance during the journey, and establish new herds upon arrival in California. The group reached Mission San Gabriel Arcángel in January 1776, having endured harsh winter conditions along the way. After leaving the colonists at Monterey, De Anza continued north to present-day San Francisco, where he selected sites for a future mission and presidio, solidifying Spain’s claim to the region.
Following Anza’s return to Tubac, military authorities made the decision to move the garrison from Tubac to Tucson in 1776. This move left many of the unprotected settlers vulnerable to Apache attacks, leading many to abandon their homes. Under Lieutenant Juan Fernandez Carmona, the force was enlarged to 56 officers who would construct Presidio San Augustin del Tucson.
For a decade, Tubac suffered greatly under Apache depredations and without military protection. The situation finally resulted in the Viceroy’s reactivating the presidio in 1787, with Pima Indian troops and Spanish officers. In 1804, the post had two officers, two sergeants, and 84 men. There were also eight families of Spanish settlers and 20 Indian families living within the presidio land allotment of five square miles. The garrison community had 1,000 head of cattle, 5,000 sheep, 600 horses, 200 mules, 15 burros, 300 goats, and an annual harvest of 1,000 bushels of wheat and 600 bushels of corn.
When Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, a new flag flew over Tubac. However, hostile Apache Indians attacked the settlement repeatedly in the 1840s, and in 1848, after a fierce Apache assault caused significant loss of life, Tubac was again abandoned. This catastrophe, coupled with the drain of men leaving for the goldfields of California in 1849, turned Tubac into a virtual ghost town. For a short while in 1846, during the Mexican-American War, Tubac was home to a large company of Mexican troops, over 200 men. After the war, Tubac was abandoned until Americans traveling for the California Gold Rush decided to settle there instead.
With the Gadsden Purchase of 1853, ratified by the American Congress in 1854, all of Arizona south of the Gila River became the property of the United States. In 1854, Charles D. Poston and his associates began searching for gold and silver in the Tubac region. After obtaining the eastern capital, the Sonora Exploring and Mining Company was incorporated, and Tubac was set up as field headquarters in 1856. Soon, the great Heintzelman silver mine, about 14 miles northwest, was opened, and the Arivaca, Sopori, and Santa Rita mines were being developed, all within a 20-mile radius of Tubac.
Today, the town of Tubac is best known as an artists’ colony. The ruins of the presidio and two original presidio buildings can be seen at the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park.