If you don’t speak Spanish it might be easier to just say the Tucson Presidio. Either way, this historical wonder was established in August 1775 by Spanish Army Colonel Hugo O'Conor. And it was, in every way, a “presidio” (fort): it was the site of very real assaults by the Apache Indians.
Perhaps because of the high wear and tear it was subjected to, the Tucson Presidio was quite a sight in its day: huge wood palisades and 700-foot-long adobe walls both protected and intimidated. Never mind that it eventually fell victim to history as the American West grew around it, and it was completely dismantled by 1918.
Today, the Tucson Presidio Trust for Historic Preservation has conducted archaeological excavations and reconstructed much of the fort to its original grandeur. There’s a 20-foot-tall adobe tower, and the 10-foot adobe walls have reappeared; there’s a powder magazine, a renovated Plaza Militar and even a renovated triplex with a museum and gift shop. And the remains of the 11-acre presidio are preserved and depicted on a large wall mural.
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Things to know:
Region: Arizona Old West
Dates and Times: El Presidio Real de San Agustin del Tucson is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Related Onsite Offerings: The Garrison features uniformed soldados, Catalonian Volunteers and Dragoons of Spain interpreting the military life at the Tucson Presidio.
Getting there: El Presidio Real de San Agustin del Tucson is located at corner of Washington and Church Streets in downtown Tucson. During the week parking is available on Alameda St; metered parking is available on nearby streets. Street parking is free on weekends.
Photos courtesy of flickr - valplumlee and Tucson Presidio Trust for Historic Preservation.
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