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Presidio of Santa Cruz (1776-1780) - A Spanish Presidio established in 1776 by Irish mercenary, Hugh O'Connor in present-day Cochise County, Arizona. Abandoned in 1780. Also known as Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate and Quiburi Presidio.
History
A Spanish Presidio established in 1776 by Irish mercenary, Hugh O'Connor, as part of a network of presidios and missions in present-day southern Arizona. These presidios were under constant attack from hostile Apache Indians and were unable to adequately protect themselves much less build and protect any surrounding missions. The southern Arizona presidios included:
The last commander of the Presidio of Santa Cruz summarized the reasons for abandoning that post:
- "The terror instilled in the troops and settlers of the Presidio of Santa Cruz that had seen two captains and more than eighty men perish at the hands of the enemies in the open rolling ground at a short distance from the post, and the incessant attacks which they suffered from the numerous bands of Apache, who do not permit the cultivation of the crops, who surprise the mule trains carrying effects and supplies, who rob the horse herds and put the troops in the situation of not being able to attend their own defense, making them useless for the defense of the province."
The post was abandoned by 1780.
Current Status
In the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, Cochise County, Arizona. A stone foundation and a few adobe wall remnants are all that remain. A 1.2-mile hike from the parking area.
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Location: San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area,
Cochise County, Arizona.
Maps & Images
Lat: 31.75092 Long: -110.20202
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GPS Locations:
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See Also:
Sources:
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 45 (Quiburi)
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 9874
Links:
Fortification ID:
- AZ0214 - Presidio of Santa Cruz
- AZ0219 - Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate
- AZ0221 - Quiburi Presidio
Visited: No
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