Tumacacori National Monument, Arizona

To hold the far-flung frontiers of the Spanish Empire of 250 years ago in South Central America and Mexico and to bring Christian civilization to hundreds of native tribes, Spain sent soldiers and missionary priests into the wilderness. Missions were founded among the settled tribes, and presidios (military posts) were set up on the borders of the hostile tribes. The frontier missions were both churches and centers of European culture and civilization. By such means, the outlying provinces of Spanish America were extended and secured.

The mission of San Jose de Tumacacori was a northern outpost of a mission chain constructed by Franciscan priests in the late 1700’s, on sites established by the Jesuits, in what was then the Province of Sonora. As a reminder that Spain was active on the frontier in the Southwest long before the United States became a nation, Tumacacori remains today an inspiring symbol of the faith, courage, and vigor of the early missionary priests and of the great loyalty and devotion of the Indian converts.